Return
The Return is a collaborative art project and collective invitation.
A space to release the burdens we’ve carried in silence and to reconnect with what’s true within us. Through anonymous letters, confessions, and declarations, we explore the parts of ourselves we’ve hidden, disowned, or longed to express.
By participating, you not only give yourself permission to let go — you also become part of something larger, inspiring others who carry their own unseen weight to do the same. Courage is infectious.
On October 18th, 2025, The Return comes to life at Aura IV Art Gallery as part of the Apparitions Art Exhibition, where visitors can read submitted letters, share their own, and witness the official painting "The Return" alongside a growing collection of shared stories and declarations.
Submissions remain open until January 31st, 2026. At the pinnacle of this project, a physical book will emerge — carrying the voices, confessions, and declarations of everyone who chose to return.
your invitation
No names. No judgments. No expectations.
Your submission will remain completely anonymous and will become part of an art project, a living archive of our shared humanity, of voices seeking healing, wholeness, and redemption.
Confess
Lay down the weight you’ve been carrying. Let the regrets, pains, and secrets you’ve kept hidden finally be acknowledged.
Release
Write it down and share it anonymously through our virtual mailbox.
Inspire
Watch your contribution become part of a collective story, offering connection and hope to others.
why this matters
The Return exists to remind us that no one carries their burdens alone. When we acknowledge the regrets, pains, and secrets we’ve kept hidden, we create space for release, understanding, and transformation. Each story shared becomes part of a collective tapestry, a living testament to resilience, courage, and shared humanity.
By participating, you not only give yourself permission to let go, but you also inspire others who carry their own unseen weight through your courage. Every voice matters, every story contributes, and together, we cultivate a space where healing, connection, and reflection thrive.
how it works
The Return guides you through a two-part submission process designed to help you reflect, release, and inspire:
1. The Confession – Share the regrets, pains, or secrets you’ve been carrying. Acknowledge what has weighed you down, in your own words, with full anonymity if you choose.
2. Declaration — A moment to speak into possibility — to name your hope, forgiveness, or becoming. A declaration of what you’re ready to embrace moving forward.
Once complete, your submission becomes part of an evolving collective story—a living testament of human experience. Through the virtual mailbox, exhibition, and eventual collection, your voice contributes to a shared journey of reflection, healing, and inspiration.
art exhibition
On October 18th, 2025, The Return will be part of the Apparitions II Art Exhibition at Aura IV Art Gallery.
The exhibition features a variety of works from multiple artists, and for this special collaboration, The Return will be showcased with the physical painting of The Return and a physical mailbox, inviting visitors to engage directly.
Visitors will have the opportunity to read existing letters and submit their own if they haven’t yet participated. This is a space to connect, reflect, and deepen the shared experience of the project.
Submissions will continue to be accepted online until January 31st, 2026, contributing to the evolving collective narrative. The final compilation of stories and reflections will be released afterward, carrying the voices of all who participated—continuing the journey beyond the exhibition.
18th October, 2025
donate
Support The Return
The Return is built together; through your stories, your courage, and your generosity. Every contribution helps bring this project to life, from creating the collective book "The Return" to sharing the work at the Apparitions Art Exhibition this October.
By supporting, you’re helping us hold space for untold stories, unspoken confessions, and declarations of hope — and ensuring they can be shared in a way that inspires others to return to themselves.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support, in every form, makes The Return possible.
I am endlessly grateful for every single person who chooses to support and walk alongside this project. The Return is not just my story — it’s our story.
Thank you for believing in it, and for helping bring it to life.
With love and gratitude,
Mariah 🖤
Founder & Artist of The Return