A local women’s group decided to get creative with its members’ spare time.

The International Women’s Club of Bermuda has collected 50 pieces of art created by its members. Their work will go up for sale next month, as part of a Hamilton exhibit.

Proceeds will be donated to Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation and Phenomenal Women.

Members of the two charities will also donate artwork for the exhibit at the ACE Gallery on Woodbourne Avenue.

“Gillian Kersse, who is the president of the IWC, started the art exhibition three years ago when she was the philanthropy chair,” said IWC publicity chairwoman Darlene Fortin. “This is her baby and she is so proud of it. We usually give about $6,000 a year in bursaries. She decided that she wanted to do more than give out grants. Because we have a lot of talented women in our group, we decided to do an art exhibit for charity.”

The group was able to raise $6,003 for the Chewstick Foundation through an art exhibit held last year, she added.

Since 1981, IWC has helped expatriate women integrate into Bermuda society. Its 200-plus membership ranges in age from 20 to 70 years old.

“A lot of women come to the Island and can’t work and as wonderful as your Island is, it can be lonely,” Mrs Fortin said. “For many, the IWC is a lifeline, helping make Bermuda a home away from home. It is a place to network, make friends and develop a comfortable support system. So besides the philanthropy we do with the charity, many of our members donate time as volunteers. We offer a lot of social events for women and we have a lot of young women who volunteer their time [with various charities] because they want to keep their resumes up.”

Members range from 20 to 70 years old.

Next month’s exhibit will feature a variety of media including painting, photography, quilting and jewellery making.

Ace Ltd has donated the gallery space and will provide wine and nibbles for the opening of ‘Bermuda — An Everyday Life’.

Members are partially reimbursed for framing costs but the majority of the proceeds will be given to the two charities.

“Some of the girls from Phenomenal People have been working hard on creating some wonderful pieces,” Mrs Fortin added.

The exhibit opens at 5.30pm on Friday, March 6. The exhibit runs through March 20.