Inspired by the burgeoning social media campaign Project Strong Women, Bruce Ferguson and Jamie Cole of the Little Blowhole Art Bar, asked 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.

Photographers and artists participating in the project include Matus Bardiovsky, Tanya Wallis, Peter Izzard, Phil Winterton, Jon Harris, Robyn Sharp, Lea Tucker, Diana Thomas, Daniel O’Neill, Arja Valimaki and Melissa Ritchie, as well as the Art Bar’s founders.

Fifty per cent of the sales proceeds from the exhibition are being donated to SAHSSI, a specialist domestic violence and homelessness service for women and children in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven District.

Kathy Colyer, SAHSSI CEO, says, “Most of the women fleeing domestic violence come to our services with very little. 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 Project Strong Women Founder Shauna Ryan will be opening the exhibition on International Women’s Day.

Details: Thursday 8 March,  Little Blowhole Art Bar, Tingira Cres, Kiama, 5.30pm. The exhibition runs until 1 March