ARTISTIC HANDS #9 –

An Exhibition of Art & Philanthropy

The International Women’s Club Zagreb proudly presents Artistic Hands #9, a celebration of creativity, sisterhood, and philanthropy through the power of art. This inspiring exhibition brings together artists from diverse backgrounds to foster intercultural dialogue, connection, and community engagement.

In cooperation with the IWCZ Philanthropy, the proceeds of sales will raise funds for the Beneficiary Udruga Pčelice from Gospić.

Join us for the grand opening on 5 March 2025 at 6 PM, and explore the exhibition from 5 to 15 March at Ul Andrije Hebranga 4, Zagreb.

What to Expect:
• A curated selection of artworks that highlight artistic expression as a tool for social change
• Workshops, guided tours, and panel discussions (Monday–Friday, 10:00–16:00)
• A platform for building relationships through creativity and philanthropy
• Auction Sale on Opening Night! Hosted by well-known and beloved Zagreb influencer Kris, the auction will raise funds in support of NGO Pčelice, an organization dedicated to helping children with disabilities.

Curated by Sasha Fabris, Mimi Gjorgoska Ilievska, and Anita Prka Đurašić, this exhibition is held in partnership with the R.N. Macedonian Culture & Information Centre.

For more details and to reserve your spot, visit www.iwcz.hr or contact us at artisticands@iwcz.com.hr.

Come celebrate art, culture, and community with us!

 

EXPANDED PRESS RELEASE

Artistic Hands Exhibition of Art and Philanthropy

Presented by the IWC Zagreb 2025

This year the IWCZ Artistic Hands#9 and the Philanthropy committee partner with the R.N. Macedonian Culture & Information Centre

Curated by Alexandra (Sasha) Fabris, Mimi Gjorgoska Ilievska and Anita Prka Durašić.

“DEPARTURES” a metaphor for the objectives for the show this year.

Opening 6pm on 5 March 2025

@ The R.N. Macedonian Culture & Information Centre

Ul Andrije Hebranga 4, Zagreb Centre

23 Artists are presenting their creations at this prestigious event. The participants are a mix of established Artists and Creative enthusiasts in the IWCZ.

The opening of the exhibition is coupled with an auction of Artworks on show by well known and loved Zagreb influencer, Kris Krompich. Proceeds of the sales raised will be donated to the Pčelica Association from Gospić.

The concept of elevating the importance of Art in society with conscious generosity to helping those in need, is a new way of representation here in Zagreb. May it be successful and the start of a new movement.

6-15 March 2025 Open to view and participate in workshops , walk abouts and panel discussions

MON – FRI 10:00-16:00

A little bit of history on the head Curator for this year: Alexandra (Sasha) Fabris. Sasha, a returning citizen from South Africa, arrived in Croatia on a 1X way ticket in 2021. She comes with approximately 30X years of successful professional work in the Arts, representing all disciplines, mediums and genres. She has worked tirelessly at establishing herself as a teaching / facilitating Artist and leader in creative movements here in Zagreb, Croatia. She specializes in gathering groups of like-minded people, nurturing strengths within groups and finding possibilities where all participants develop and rise as a collective. Sourcing opportunities and guiding preparation for these platforms is her ultimate strength. Sasha is an expertly qualified, multidisciplinary Artist / facilitator and has the natural ability to ‘hold space’ at various levels of participation. She also has an unusually sensitive ability to access individual needs and processes, imparting her wealth of information and experience easily to those she works with.

The IWCZ community embodies strength of kind and resourceful individuals who form the backbone of a formidable unit here in Zagreb. Because most ladies are from countries outside of Croatia, the international network possibilities are vast and prospective. Most participants in the exhibition bring a ‘way of seeing the world’ in a culturally determined way. It is fascinating to see how this translates into the visual languages the various Artists have used to ‘tell their stories’.

A group photo of the Artists selected by Sasha for an exhibition she curated of Croatian Artists in celebration of Women’s Day at the residence of the Royal Norwegian Ambassador. Zagreb, Croatia 2024.

Sasha giving a speech at the opening of an exhibition she curated at the Yunus Emre Enstitüsu, in celebration of 101 years of Independence. Zagreb, Croatia 2024.

The participating Artists at the opening of the exhibition. Relationships between Turkish, Croatian and European women was the focus of the show. We worked together from conception stages. The team-ship was palpable and very supportive! Zagreb, Croatia 2024.

One of the biggest changes in the Artistic Hands #9 of 2025, is a larger, more inclusive exhibition where participants build real and lasting bonds through exhibition readiness sessions and the exhibition process itself. These workshops, over the past months, has created deeply significant friendships as well as a unified narrative which visually reflects cooperation and synergy.

In the spirit of the subtitle for this year’s exhibition, “DEPARTURES”, all Artists, aspiring artists and produced artwork will be guided to ‘depart’ from all previous work. Carrying an individual style and subsequent ‘signature’, all submitted work needs to be recently produced with a new direction and approach to past bodies of work. Collective group working is encouraged and endorsed. This ensures a more homogenous and cohesive group exhibition when it comes to hanging the ART.

The project appeals to a broader group of potential participants from outside the club. We opened the possibilities to these Artists at a reduced membership fee. This demonstrates the positive impact the club has on expat communities in a foreign environment and hopefully attracts new members in future years.

Once the exhibition is opened with as much media focus as possible, certain selected Artists will give workshops to the broader community in the exhibition facility.

Ladies from the club working on their AH#9 pieces in Sasha’s studio. It has been a bonding and truly electric experience for us all! BRAVO LJUDI!!!

All the work for this exhibition is volunteer based. Although all participants work, mostly full time, we have all found the extra hours to give the most of ourselves professionally, logistically, and generously roll our sleeves up to get the job done! A massive thanks to all.