Earlier this year creators of the Art Bar in Kiama, Bruce Ferguson and Jamie Cole, invited photographers and artists from the local area to submit up to two photo portraits of a strong woman in their life, family or community that to them embodied strength, resilience, fortitude and compassion.

The exhibition is inspired by the burgeoning social media campaign Strong Woman, founded by Shauna Ryan, a millennial visionary, international blog curator, and emotional thought leader.

Bruce and Jamie hope the exhibition will build on Shauna’s aspiration to curate an encouraging and empathetic space, in which people can share their stories while connecting through shared interests and heart led endeavours.

Photographers and artists participating in the project include Matus Bardiovsky, Tanya Wallis, Peter Izzard, Phil Winterton, Robyn Sharp, Jon Harris, Lea Tucker, Diana Thomas, Daniel ONeill, Arja Valimaki, Melissa Ritchie, and the Art Bar’s very own Jamie Cole and Bruce Ferguson.

All artworks will be for sale at the exhibition, with 50 per cent of the proceeds donated to SAHSSI, a specialist domestic violence and homelessness service for women and children in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. 

SAHSSI CEO Kathy Colyer was thrilled the Art Bar had chosen to support the organisation.

“Most of the women fleeing domestic violence come to our services with very little,” she said. 

“We support them to resolve their safety and housing needs and with the assistance through donations like this and our brokerage funds, we can purchase much needed household items such as fridges, washing machines, beds, linen and crockery.”

Kathy Colyer and Shauna Ryan will open the exhibition at the Art Bar at 5.30pm on March 8.

Ryan spends her working day teaching, but away from the classroom she is aiming to inspire women all over the world, particularly with regard to social media, which she says can be a scary place.

“I think it’s really important to enable, empower and celebrate women from local communities, especially in the creative space,” she said.

“It’s a really tough gig to be a creative, so to use platforms such as the Art Bar and Strong Woman to bring people together to celebrate is really important.”

The opening night is open to the general public. People are encouraged to get along and support this important charity and project, during a time that resounds with the rise of the feminine voice and celebrate women everywhere.

The Strong Women exhibition runs from March 8 – April 1 at Little Blowhole Art Bar, Tingira Crescent, Kiama.

Find the official Facebook event HERE. 

The Art Bar is open Wednesday and Thursday 5-9pm | Friday and Saturday 12-3pm and 5-10pm | Sunday 12-6pm.