The Californer - Bold Beauty Project Announces Collaborative Exhibition at Florida International University

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DISABILITY becomes BEAUTY becomes ART becomes CHANGE at University Campus

MIAMI - Californer -- Bold Beauty Project (BBP) is a powerful visual arts exhibition celebrating women with varying disabilities. BBP is honored to be able to collaborate with Florida International University on an exhibition which was held on April 9, 2025, at the FUI Modesto Maidique Campus in the BEA Gallery, 1025 SW 112^th Avenue, Miami FL from 6:00-8:00 pm. The well-attended exhibition of large-scale photographs, by student and award-winning photographers and artists, coupled with the women's personal stories, created a vivid and intimate portrait of these extraordinary women. The works sparked creativity and reimagined beauty in our world and were universally applauded by the guests.

Tania Santiago Perez, Interim Department Chair, Counseling, Recreation & School Psychology Associate Teaching Professor, Recreational Therapy stated, "This exhibition is a partnership event between Bold Beauty Project, FIU's Counseling, Recreation & School Psychology Department, and FIU's Art & Art History Department. FIU women with disabilities (faculty, staff, students, alumni) were paired with photographers to create bold and beautiful portraits of the women."

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"We are thrilled to be collaborating with FIU to bring the Bold Beauty Project to our Miami community. Showcasing university women with disabilities as beautiful and empowered, BBP's mission is to create impact through photography and narrative expression," said Shelly Baer, Founder and Co-director of BBP.

The collaboration tapped into the creative energies of a wide range of photographers and artists. Raymond Elman, artist, writer, and founding editor-in-chief of "ArtSpeak" commented, "Since 1989, I have been making large-scale, mixed-media portraits of impactful people from all art disciplines. The Bold Beauty Project has provided me with an opportunity to develop positive images for women with disabilities. It was an honor to be part of this exhibition"

Eva Ritvo, MD, Co-director of BBP, illuminated on the geneses of the exhibition," Furthering our mission, it is important to expand and bring Bold Beauty Project to interested college and university campuses to empower young women, involve emerging student and award-winning photographers, and engage experienced faculty. In addition to the FIU exhibition, BBP has upcoming exhibitions at Yale University on April 18 in New Haven, CT and UCLA, May 18 in Los Angeles, CA. We are deeply grateful to our supporters and donors for enabling us to reach wider audiences on campuses and make a meaningful impression on the greater public."

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For more information about Bold Beauty Project's nonprofit activities and see past exhibitions go to: www.BoldBeautyproject.com