Art & Advocacy Event Brings Women’s Voices to the Forefront
- Jade Nelson
- Mar 11
- 2 min read
The Womens Society had the privilege of collaborating with Project:herSELF — an organisation doing vital, life-changing work for women transitioning out of prison.
This event was sponsored by Jenny Bishop - Townsville Real Estate Agent who has continually supported our organisation.
Women with incarceration experience are one of the groups most at risk of isolation. And with almost 1 in 3 people reporting loneliness, the importance of social connection has never been clearer. We know that connection improves health, strengthens resilience and leads to better long-term outcomes.
Through our Art & Advocacy event, we brought local artists, community members and women with lived experience together for an afternoon of deep conversation and storytelling.
We had guests speaker CEO Samantha Shulte from The Survivor Service, Aunty Jen a psychotherapist and culturally framed trauma therapist as well as Sabrina Rose Toby, Jaeda Lenoy and Aunty Ros Sailor sharing their exhibition
"Woven Together: Undivided We Rise"
Together, we raised $2,436 to support Project Herself’s programs.
I’m incredibly proud of this connection, and grateful for the leadership of Tahlia Isaac CEO of Project Herself doing incredible work assisting women that have been incarcerated.
Cheers to Connections and Community and to create safe spaces where meaningful connection leads to change.
Huge thank you to the artists who donated over $5000 worth of art for the cause
Donna Beningfield is a practicing and award-winning Townville artist who specialises in portraiture. As a qualified teacher and fine artist (BA Hons, Dip Ed, Ad Dip Visual Arts), Donna has held 14 solo exhibitions since 2007 and has participated in many group exhibitions. Donna also
Specialises in mark making and transcribes this through portraits. During the portrait process, the subjects personal story unfolds in an interactive manner, facilitating a truly unique and personal experience.
Brenda Stone is a North Queensland–based contemporary artist whose vibrant abstract works bring colour, light, and energy to both public and private spaces. Brenda’s work spans worldwide. Her digital artworks featured in The Corals NFT Art Project, supporting the restoration of the Great Barrier Reef, highlight her ability to merge tradition with innovation. Based at The Drill Hall Studio Gallery, Brenda continues to explore the intersection of art, place, and storytelling.
Vicki Katthagen
Vicki Katthagen is a multi award winning photographic artist based in Gurambilbarra / Townsville, Queensland. Her work explores the intricate relationship between nature and humanity through the lens of macro botanical photography. She holds a Bachelor of Photography from James Cook University (Gurambilbarra / Townsville) and a Master of Arts Photography from the Photographic Studies College (Naarm / Melbourne).
Ros Jones
Ros Jones is an award-winning Townsville artist known for her striking urban landscapes and seascapes in acrylic and oil. A member of the Townsville Art Society, her work spans many disciplines and explores thought, feeling, and memory through personal and historical connections.
Tahlia Isaac
Tahlia Isaac is a Koori artist, living on Girramay Land. Obsessed with storytelling through painting as a way to resist assimilation, Tahlia honours her connection to culture and her grandmothers legacy through painting journeys and stories that are deeply personal.
