Women artists from Salford and Nigeria have been given the chance to showcase their work in an all-female exhibition at Salford University’s New Adelphi building.
The HER STORY exhibition is a culmination of two years of work and is being showcased until March 26.
In 2022 Beverly Fletcher, CEO of Langworthy Cornerstone Association, was inspired on a visit to Nigeria when she was introduced to an innovative art and empowerment programme supporting women to use art as a catalyst for their own growth. It also ensured the women directly benefitted financially from the sales of their work.
Bringing the idea to Salford, Ms Fletcher founded Women into Visual Art and Enterprise (WIVA) a programme to support, train and empower.
A clear motivator of this programme is to ensure women understand the power of their own creativity.
Salford-born artist Jelena Wilson, 55, Salford born artist said: “I started painting when I attended this first session at WIVA and an Art Therapy course. I find it helps with mental health and well-being.
“I get inspiration for my artwork from nature and the freedom to express oneself. Each brush stroke evokes emotion and freedom.”
In September 2023, in partnership with Collabo2Succeed Ltd, Langworthy Cornerstone successfully secured the funding needed to deliver its first sessions. The culmination of these art sessions led to a range of striking and original artwork.
This artwork was featured in a joint exhibition with SisterArt Exhibition, the first collaboration between female artists in Salford and Nigeria. HER STORY is the second.
Faith Ogadinma, 28, a featured artist from Nigeria, said: “My works are inspired by me as an artist, my experiences, personal life, growth and goals.
“I started painting officially in 2021. After my degree completion, I further expanded my skills, and I realised painting was the only thing I could do, and it was something I found great delight in.
“Women should be empowered by being given the opportunities to learn, lead and develop their careers, be supported by well-established professionals, experienced people in the industry.”
The exhibition will be open 11am-3pm, Monday-Friday.
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