Local Charleston Artist Fer Caggiano is shining the light on strong and inspiring women in the Lowcountry through art

Like A Girl Project – Showcasing Strong & Inspiring Women by Fer Caggiano

Dare to Dream and Make your Mark on the World

I have always found myself called to use my voice for causes that are important to me. From recycling to animal cruelty, I learned to speak up and voice my opinion from a young age. I have come to the realization, that through my art I can promote and shine a light on issues and matters that deserve awareness and attention.   

While I am happy to offer my clients a window to a landscape or scene where their minds can find joy and peace, art has always served a higher purpose when used to tackle difficult subjects and ideas. Art is all about creating a shift in someone’s mind. If you are uneasy, art can bring you peace. If you are stagnated, art can make your move.   

This is how the project Like A Girl (Strong & Inspiring Women) came to life. In the last thirty to forty years, women in America have been told they can be anything they want to be. But can they? What hindrances does society impose on them? What obstacles do they run into that men do not? How can we ensure this next generation of women can see themselves in leadership roles, in male-centric or male-dominated industries, as a CEO, a pilot, a politician? It is our responsibility to shine a light on women leaders, wherever they may be, so our young girls can find role models that look like them, whatever their race, sexual orientation, or country of origin.   

Through portraits of fascinating women in our community, each with very unique and inspiring stories, our girls will see themselves on a canvas: strong, powerful, beautiful, inspiring, and ready to take on the world.   

I believe that “like a girl” should be something to aspire to, and these portraits will let women and girls everywhere know that women can, women will, and women are achieving greatness.   

Art and Project Details: 

• 20-50 portraits: 30×40” oil paintings 
• Art Book with the paintings and stories of all women in this project. 
• Reception evening and speech from some of these inspiring women. 
• Partners: The Power Filled Woman, Skirt Magazine, others to join.   

The biggest goal on this project is awareness, however, a percentage of the proceeds will go to female support associations such as “Women in Aviation”, “Women in Construction” and “Girls who Code”.

Some of the amazing women in this project: 
Allison Arriola, Barbara Ashe, Janet Bates, Karen Lucht, Gabrielle Forgione, Yeakia Johnson, Yvonne Gilbert, Arianne King, Beth Ann Crane, Vicky Johnson, TIA Clark, Pixie Paula, Kelly Trager, Erin Mansour, Carol Wilhite, Jessica Koenig, and Kenya Dunn.

Gabrielle Forgione

My youngest model. Gabrielle is involved with Girls Who Code. Programming is a mostly male-dominated field and she is outstanding at coding. I have decided to add a glow in the dark ink to resemble a computer screen.

Karen Lutch

Former NASA employee with some outstanding accomplishments. 
Currently works for Make a Wish foundation. Watch this Interview with Karen regarding her Space Shuttle Transition and Retirement project at NASA.