A community art group in Monmouth organised a series of events to mark International Women’s Day.

The Art Fringe, a local collective that meets every Monday evening at Monmouth Baptist Church, hosted events from March 8-15, including an art exhibition, talks, and interactive sessions.

The week began with a general knowledge quiz and light refreshments, setting the stage for a programme inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerated Action.

At the heart of the celebrations was the art exhibition Through the Eyes of Women, which aimed to amplify and celebrate the voices of creative women. This year’s brief challenged artists to explore the question: What does faith mean to you?

During the exhibition’s opening, The Art Fringe announced Maya Davies as the winning artist, with Keilah Greaves named runner-up. The exhibition showcased a diverse collection of artwork, each piece offering a unique interpretation of faith, identity, and the female perspective, highlighting personal journeys and cultural influences.

Rotary Monmouth sponsored a £100 prize for the Young Emerging Artist category, while The Art Fringe provided £50 worth of art vouchers for the runner-up. The judging panel included local artist and Rotary member Debra Lake, alongside abstract expressive artist and John Kyrle High School’s Head of Creative Arts, Kelly Davies.

The programme also featured a series of thought-provoking talks. On March 11, science teacher, mother, and Christian Jo Walker led Am I Enough?, exploring the pressures women face from contradictory societal expectations. Her talk offered an inspiring perspective on overcoming unrealistic standards imposed on women and girls.

On March 14, counsellors Jess Bond and Lyndsey Melluish presented Finding Peace in an Anxious World, an interactive session on navigating mental health challenges. The discussion focused on practical strategies for wellbeing and the role faith can play in fostering resilience.