Make a mark to raise your voice

Imagery and ideas: Submitted creations, like Charlotte Matthews' Rising Phoenix - Tribute to Ellie Cole, will be showcased via @ballaratyouthservices on Instagram. Photo: FILE

BALLARAT Youth Council is encouraging young people to raise their voice through art, and generate awareness of sexism, gender inequality and women’s safety issues in our contemporary world.

The Raise Your Voice online exhibition is a chance for young women and allies to share their own personal experiences on a public, but safe platform, take ownership of their story, make suggestions, call people to action, change attitudes and behaviours, and generate support, both locally and broadly.

The Council invites 16 to 25 year olds to submit artwork and start conversations about these issues that have widespread relevance.

Youth councillor Brienna Kamp is an advocate for every woman’s safety and comfortability.

*Rising Phoenix – Tribute to Ellie Cole*, Charlotte Matthews

“Women deserve the simple privilege of feeling safe and confident wherever they venture,” she said.

“Regardless of how they dress, look, or where they are, women need to be respected by all of the community.”

Fellow councillor, Angela Bijimba sees the project as a step towards better public safety for everyone, whatever their background or experiences are.

“A safe environment brings peace to all the residents of a community,” she said.

Brodie Kamp, another councillor, looks forward to Raise Your Voice generating positive conversations.

“Art can be a really effective tool to…enact change in the community,” he said.

Artists have the opportunity to sell their work, and could be chosen for an open-air showcase set for next year.

Visit bit.ly/2HAnxXN to get involved in Raise Your Voice by Monday, 23 November.

Ballarat Youth Services recently facilitated another virtual art project for young people, Drawing the Good, which aimed to lift spirits and improve mental health in the challenging pandemic lockdown period.

An initiative engaging 12 to 25 year olds, artists were encouraged to create imagery that made them feel good, prompted by the words, change, hope and future.

“Doing art can be a really good way to help with really stressful times, which this has been for everyone,” Mr Kamp said.