By Jordyn Grubisic
ZONTA International is hosting a community art and craft show on Saturday and Sunday to begin the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
The show, at Gavan Hall in Broadford, will also raise money and awareness for Zonta projects.
It will start at 10am, finishing at 4pm Saturday and then 1pm Sunday. Entry by gold coin donation.
The group has organised the event for more than three months and all art is created by members, their family and friends.
All artwork is available for purchase and includes ink and resin work, photographs and Christmas decorations like baubles and runners.
Buyers of one-of-a-kind artwork are unable to take home the pieces until 1pm on Sunday, but art with multiple copies can be taken home immediately after purchase.
Zonta Club of Mitchell president Janice Stanton said it was about raising money and creating awareness about the organisation and what they stand for, with exhibits demonstrating their projects featuring in the show.
A major exhibit is the “Walk in My Shoes” display showing the shoes of women and children who have experienced family violence, which are placed with stories detailing their experiences.
“It’s the story of women and children that have actually undergone family violence – quiet heartbreaking some of them,” Ms Stanton said.
“It creates very good conversation about family violence.
“It’s an important thing we need to talk about all the time.”
The club felt it was important the event not only promoted their organisation, but the 16 days of Activism – a campaign against gender-based violence, which is a major aspect of Zonta’s work.
Also on display will be breast cushions that they made for women with breast cancer, along with toiletry bags and birthing kits.
“We do toiletry bags to help people who are homeless or vulnerable, or fleeing from domestic violence,” Ms Stanton said.
“We also make birthing kits for third world countries and at least once a year, we have a working party that gets together and we make those.
“We do invite the public to those if they wish to help.”
Visitors are invited to attend the show to view the art and learn more about the work the organisation does through the explainations which will accompany the exhibitions, and members will also be on hand to answer questions.
“Have a cuppa, have a slice and have a chat to learn a bit more about Zonta, that’s the bottom line,” Ms Stanton said.
