EmpowerHer: leather workshop

7 May

Written By Ku Arts

Ku Arts travelled to Port Lincoln in April to deliver a one-week workshop as part of Empower Her - a targeted product development initiative supporting women in Port Lincoln to design and produce a a high-end pet accessories range. Funded by *Equity Trustee’s* *Community Grant Program, EmpowerHer provides practical skills development, mentoring, and small business support to artists working independently and outside of art-centre structures.*

Unlike the APY Lands where art centres provide regular professional support, Port Lincoln’s Aboriginal artists face isolation, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to arts-specific programming. The EmpowerHer project responds directly to feedback from artists in Port Lincoln who identified the urgent need for professional arts programs and mentoring opportunities.

The first instalment of the EmpowerHer program included a one-week leather working workshop from 27 April - 1 May with artist and leather worker, Olivia Kathigitis. Participants were introduced leather working techniques that would enable them to produce pet collars. The workshop explored ways to embed individual artistic identity into functional design, while focusing on craftsmanship for durability.

Participating artists included Jenna Richards, Vera Richards, Charmaine Morton, Crystal Hirchausen, Tesha Kygena, and Evelyn Walker.

Image: Jenna Richards at the EmpowerHer leather working workshop in Port Lincoln, April 2026.
Photo: Lavene Ngatokorua and Dave Laslett.

Image: Olivia Kathigitis and Evelyn Walker at the EmpowerHer leather working workshop in Port Lincoln, April 2026.
Photo: Lavene Ngatokorua and Dave Laslett.

Framed around gender equity and First Nations self-determination, EmpowerHer specifically targets Aboriginal women in Port Lincoln, recognising that women artists are disproportionately affected by barriers to participation in the arts. According to the 2021 ABS Census, Port Lincoln is home to 946 First Nations people, 50.9% of whom are women. Of this female cohort, 37% have only received primary school education, highlighting the significant barriers to further training and professional pathways.

Delivered through a series of intensive workshops, participants of EmpowerHer will create premium dog accessories while strengthening technical skills, creative confidence, and understanding of pricing, branding, and quality standards. The focus is on small-batch, limited-edition production with strong market appeal and cultural integrity. Works produced during EmpowerHer will retail at the Ku Arts Textile Projects Booth at the 2026 DAAF (Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair).