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Free art program for older women refugees to share tales of struggle

A FREE art workshop program for older migrant or refugee women, which gets underway at Bankstown Arts Centre later this month, will include a day trip to the Art Gallery of NSW to provide inspiration and explore how other artists tell their story.

Hosted by the Older Women’s Network (OWN), the workshops will be conducted by artist, activist, author and domestic violence survivor Amani Haydar.
Participants will receive a $50 voucher each time they attend one of the 10 workshops.
OWN CEO Yumi Lee says the voucher will help to cover any associated costs with attending.
“We want show them we value their time and want to treat them the way they should be,” she said.
“For those who have experienced trauma, creative arts can enhance well-being, improve social connections and promote a sense of belonging.”
Ms Lee says it’s a great opportunity for older women to get together in a safe place to be creative, to tell their stories about their struggles and be truly able to express themselves.
“Amani has the skills, the ability and the empathy to work with these women and guide them through the process of tapping into their creativity and share their stories which are all worth listening to,” she said.
As well as creating their own artworks, the participants will be asked to contribute to a group artwork which Ms Lee says they hope to showcase on International Women’s Day next year.
The art workshops start on Tuesday, October 25, 10am-12pm.
Registrations, info: wellnessbankstown@ownnsw.org.au or 0433 875 838.