Press Release
The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents “Like A Girl: Dare to Dream,” a new exhibition by artist Fer Caggiano on view at City Gallery from March 11, 2021 through May 2, 2021. Featuring portraits of more than 35 South Carolinian women, Like a Girl brings attention to women who have excelled, each with unique and inspiring stories. In them, girls and other women will see on canvas their potential: they can be strong, smart and beautiful, and ready to make their mark on the world.
The artist will be painting at City Gallery on March 11th, 18th and 25th. Due to the ongoing situation related to COVID-19 in South Carolina, City Gallery guests must reserve a time slot in advance online or by phone for free, timed admission, with exhibition viewing offered Thursdays through Sundays from noon until 5pm. The last reservation will be offered at 4:40 pm. Face masks will be required of all guests and staff.
Charleston-based artist Fer Caggiano has embarked on a journey to celebrate the heroic achievements of remarkable women who have transcended life's challenges to create a legacy of inspiration. Troubled by seeing girls and women struggle to be respected in a male-dominated world, Caggiano seeks to remove negative connotations associated with acting “like a girl.”
“Girls and women must dare to dream – to be leaders, to be strong in mind, body and spirit – so that ‘like a girl' will instead mean powerful and highly effective,” said the artist.
Caggiano hopes that the exhibition will foster a dialogue about gender and achievement, and provoke questions like: Can females really be anything they want to be? What obstacles do they encounter that men and boys do not? How can we ensure that future generations of women can become leaders in any industry or field?
The 35 women featured in these portraits come from different walks of life, but share the common link of reaching the pinnacle of their dreams. A few of the many remarkable women in “Like A Girl: Dare To Dream” include: Allison Arriola, Janet Bates, Karen Lucht, Gabrielle Forgione, Yeakia Johnson, Yvonne Gilbert, Arianne King Comer, Beth Ann Crane, Vicky Johnson, Tia Clark, Paula Dezzutti (Pixie), Kelly Trager, Erin Mansour, Carol Wilhite and Kenya Dunn.
An auction and fundraiser will follow the exhibit. 100% of net proceeds will go to Girls On The Run of Coastal Carolina, YWCA of Charleston, Women In Aviation, and Palmetto Pride.
Proceeds from this project will be donated to organizations that support women and girls in reaching their maximum potential, thus extending the project's impact well beyond its exhibition.
About Fer Caggiano
Fer (short for Fernanda, and pronounced “fair”) Caggiano is a renowned painter whose diverse landscapes, portraits, and still life are highly sought after. Fer's works are contemporary and always evolving. She is known for using heavy impasto technique, but her creativity also leads to constant exploration and use of bold new approaches. Fer's pieces are filled with vibrant movement while simultaneously conveying a sense of peace and joy. Her works not only capture beauty in people and the environment, but they also serve a higher purpose: through her art, Fer is helping to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
About City Gallery
City Gallery, located at Joe Riley Waterfront Park, is owned by the City of Charleston and operated by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, presenting an annual program of exhibitions and events featuring the finest contemporary art from local, regional, national and international artists, with a focus on the Lowcountry. City Gallery provides access to the visual arts for everyone in Charleston, visitors and residents alike, by offering exhibits that are all admission-free. City Gallery is located at 34 Prioleau St. in downtown Charleston. Due to the ongoing situation related to COVID-19 in South Carolina, City Gallery guests are requested to reserve in advance online or by phone for free, timed admission, with exhibition viewing offered Thursdays through Sundays from noon until 5pm, with the last reservation at 4:40pm. Face masks will be required of all guests and staff, and staff will monitor circulation through the exhibition to ensure safe social distancing throughout the facility and adherence to all other CDC protocols related to COVID-19. Sanitizer stations will be provided in the gallery, and staff will use enhanced cleaning protocols for all City Gallery spaces throughout the day. Reservations are available on the City Gallery website www.charleston-sc.gov/citygallery; guests may also reserve by phoning the gallery at (843) 958-6484 during regular business hours.
