By Krystle J Bailey
The second annual “Here’s to New Beginnings” fundraising event by MudGirls Studios will take place on September 22 at Stockton University. The outdoor cocktail reception celebrates the non-profit organization founded in 2016 by Dorrie Papademetriou. MudGirls Studios provides a pathway to art and entrepreneurship for economically disadvantaged and at-risk women in Atlantic County. Through the creation and sale of functional art, women are taught how to dive into the therapeutic nature of clay and learn invaluable skillsets for life.
Since its inception, MudGirls Studios has been a space for dozens of women to heal, learn, and grow. What began around a kitchen table at Adelaide’s Place, a day shelter for homeless women in Atlantic City, has expanded exponentially in the last several years. With the loving guidance of Dorrie Papadimitriou, a lifelong artist and advocate for social change, MudGirls Studios was formed to create a sense of community and inspire a feeling of self-worth among the women in attendance.
Demand for these handmade creations increased as MudGirls Studios began to sell their products at Fair Trade and Makers festivals. Under the tutelage of Dorrie and the MudGirls team, the women are taught how to produce larger-scale pieces with great attention to detail. This commitment to quality work has resulted in several large projects throughout Atlantic County, including a commissioned tile mural at Stockton University and South Jersey Gas, the Atlanticare Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Hard Rock Casino & Hotel, and several others. The women at MudGirls are currently working on an employee recognition project for Ocean Casino and custom gifts for Yelp out of London.
With so much expansion in recent years, MudGirls Studios is looking forward to creating a new space where the highly-regarded program can continue to flourish and reach further into the community. The September 22 fundraiser will help facilitate this growth by giving MudGirls an opportunity to leave their current third-story space and move into a ground-floor location with extended hours and community engagement events.
The “Here’s to New Beginnings” fundraiser takes place at Stockton University’s Atlantic City campus at Kesselman Hall from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Complete with live music by Lili Anel and Gina Roche, the cocktail reception will provide an opportunity for guests to meet the MudGirls, learn more about the program, and purchase one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. Tickets are $100 and go towards the future vision of MudGirls Studios in Atlantic City. Sponsorship opportunities are available with additional features at mudgirlsstudios.org.
Krystle J Bailey is a published author, multimedia journalist, copywriter, and content creator. She is a regular Shore Local columnist and digital contributor as well as the booking agent and co-host of the radio show Joe’s Table for Two on WOND. Krystle can be reached at KrystleJBailey@gmail.com
