This new exhibition is empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women

An exhibition launched earlier this year in Fremantle us showcasing artwork produced by Shooting Stars participants – an education and empowerment program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in WA and SA.

Based in 22 schools, Shooting Stars is mostly staffed by Aboriginal women (85%) and reaches over 1,200 girls and young women.

‘Art with the Stars’ is an exhibition project run within the Shooting Stars program and brings program participants together with a local Aboriginal artist for 10 weeks, giving them the chance to connect to culture through art.

This latest iteration of ‘Art with the Stars’ opened at Shipwrecks Museum in Walyalup (Fremantle) in January, and is running until April 28.

The exhibition features an array of media including basket-weaving, textiles, painting, fashion, and dance, expressing powerful stories shared by the participating young artists.

Those artists were mentored by a selection of celebrated artists including Vicki and Kathy Long in Halls Creek; Bonni Ingram, Esma McMahon and Lynda Ryder in Carnarvon; Bianca Hart in Collie; Honey Webb at the Kiara College site; Rodelle Battle and Rebecca Councillor in Mullewa; and in Fitzroy Crossing, designers Lois Hazel and Simone Agius in conjunction with local artists Ivy Nargoodah, Torrence Lulu and Natalie Davy.

“By providing our participants access to Aboriginal artists, we not only teach them a skill, but rather provide them with a space and a means to connect with themselves, their communities and their country,” says Shooting Stars Research Manager, Rose Whitau.  

You can learn more about the Shooting Stars program and ‘Art with the Stars’ exhibition via shootingstars.com.au.