Cult of Love Artists (COLA) is a passionate creative collective dedicated to the transformative power of art as a catalyst for deep healing and positive mental health. Our mission extends far beyond the canvas. We actively partner with survivors of trauma to transform their challenging life experiences into visual narratives of strength, resilience, and hope. This work is fundamentally about empowerment, helping individuals reclaim their stories, redefine their identities, and foster self-discovery within a supportive community.
Funding the Future of Healing:
The art we create is directly tied to the impact we make. Proceeds generated from the sale of COLA items, including artwork, merchandise, and books, are channeled to fund critical projects operated by our partner, Hope During the Storm (HDTS). These funds specifically support comprehensive healing services for HDTS members, including:
-
Healing Retreats: Safe spaces for members to disconnect and focus entirely on recovery.
-
Diverse Therapeutic Modalities: Funding various approaches to healing, including art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and nature-based therapy, alongside access to traditional counseling services.
-
Life Coaching Services: Providing professional guidance to help survivors build successful, independent futures.
Creating a Safety Net for the Tribe:
COLA believes that true strength is found in community. We celebrate our differences and actively work to provide a platform where unique voices connect and support one another. By investing in these vital wrap-around services, we ensure that our "tribe" has access to a safety net—a reliable system of connection, resources, and support—that promotes long-term stability and well-being. This collective effort proves that the transformative power of our art translates into real-world, sustainable support for survivors, and gives us the power to rewrite what comes next.
​
The COLA & Hope During the Storm Project: Art as Catalyst for Healing
​
The Cult of Love Artists (COLA) collective is proud to announce a powerful and transformative partnership with Hope During the Storm (HDTS), a respected 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting survivors of trauma. This collaboration leverages the unique power of art to aid HDTS members in their healing journeys from various forms of abuse, including physical, mental, judicial, and financial.
The project began by pairing HDTS members—trauma survivors committed to reclaiming their narratives—with photographers to capture their strength and resilience. These images then became the foundation for COLA artist Toni Greis's signature comic-inspired artwork. As Toni's bold and sensual drawings brought these women's stories to life on the page, the artwork became a mirror reflecting their inherent strength, dramatically boosting the self-esteem and self-perception of those featured. This initiative also served as a critical creative reawakening for Toni Greis himself, helping him emerge from a challenging period after the loss of a significant body of his work.
​
The positive energy generated by this collaboration has acted as a catalyst for expansion. The art created is currently being compiled into a stunning coffee table book and calendar. Most excitingly, this project has inspired the creation of a brand new comic book series, "Cult of Love," featuring the powerful members of HDTS as a band of fearless outcasts. Set in a post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest behind the "redwood curtain," the comic explores a fictionalized Age of Aquarius where traditional gender roles have shifted, and women lead the way in navigating and rebuilding their world. This collection of work embodies COLA's mission: where art and life blend to bring healing and rewrite what comes next.
