Upcycled denim bag

Cheryl Widlend

For Cheryl, “art is a healer, a therapy – a soft place to land”.

Cheryl started her journey into the world of art though fashion, creating paper clothes for her dolls as a little girl.

Later, Cheryl opened CMW Boutique in Chapel Hill, Queensland, and a few years later, The Art of Fashion. When the global financial crisis hit, Cheryl lost everything, including her house and businesses, after which she declared bankruptcy. During this time she also became very ill, both mentally and physically, and moved to Melbourne in 2009 to start a new life.

Cheryl eventually found accommodation with Womens Housing Limited, where she founded an arts-based initiative focusing on women, particularly women who are tired, broken, homeless, and/or socially and financially disadvantaged.

Today, Cheryl’s hope is that her story of resilience, strength and hope in the face of adversity will inspire and help others.

To read more about Cheryl, click here.