Meijer Supports Midwest Women Artists in New Women's History Month Collection Benefiting American Heart Association

USA - English

• USA - español

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Women's History Month, Meijer launched a special collection of products featuring the art of three Midwestern women artists – Abeer Abo-Shihata, Judy Mintze and Misty Russian – in every Meijer supercenter. The retailer will ultimately donate 5 percent of sales from the collection to the American Heart Association's Life is Why Campaign to help support initiatives like the Go Red for Women Campaign – an American Heart Association initiative focused on driving awareness of heart health amongst women.

The collection includes a mix of paintings and digital art printed on stationery, gift bags, canvas tote bags, key rings, kitchen towels and decorative boxes, featuring the three winning pieces of art, as well as framed prints of the art. The limited-edition products are available in all Meijer supercenters as supplies last now through April 1.

The retailer selected the featured pieces from hundreds of submissions after putting out a call for culturally-inspired art in 2021 as part of its ongoing efforts to support underrepresented communities and ensure every customer sees themselves reflected on its shelves. The winning pieces were selected by Meijer merchants based on team member votes.

"As women, we each have our own unique experiences that shape us," said Carla Hendon, Director of Supplier Diversity and Indirect Procurement at Meijer. "While each piece reflects its artist's celebration of her womanhood, we know this collection will speak to women at large as the pieces celebrate the depth and multi-dimensionality of a woman's sense of self."

For example, Hilliard, Ohio-based artist Abeer Abo-Shihata purposefully employs a "semi-abstract" style in her paintings to give space for the viewer to apply their own unique interpretation. Abo-Shihata, who first began painting more than 15 years ago while living in the Middle East, sees art as a form of communication and means of connection with other people. She said seeing her art on Meijer shelves is exciting because it allows her to connect with hundreds of thousands of people who may not have otherwise seen her work.

"This is an incredible opportunity to reach people who don't frequent art galleries," Abo-Shihata said. "Art should be for everyone."

Misty Gunter Russian from Eaton Rapids, Mich. finds inspiration in the diversity of beauty found in nature.

"Flowers are all different, but all equally beautiful and, in my head, I wanted to show that different is beautiful and diversity is beautiful," said Russian, who considers herself an "artist by night" – fitting in time for her art in the evenings after her day job in finance administration and between caring for her children alongside her husband. "I hope that people who see my art recognize that regular people can do big things. I hope it inspires some other women to create."

Fishers, Ind. artist Judy Mintze features a hat as a key element of her piece's composition to symbolize the many roles and responsibilities women carry throughout their lives. In addition to being excited to share her art on such a large platform, the self-taught artist said this collection's philanthropic component made it especially important to her. 

"It's a great opportunity to have my art exposed to the world, but on a personal note, I'm really happy that a portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association," said Mintze, who lost her sister to heart disease last year.

Meijer will donate 5 percent of the sales generated from the Women's History Month art collection to the American Heart Association's Life is Why Campaign in the artists' states. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year, according to the American Heart Association. Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association's signature women's initiative, aiming to increase women's heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally.

On the heels of its Black History Month local artist collection, this is the second of five local artist collections the retailer will unveil this year, with others tied to locally-inspired art, Pride Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. Customers can shop the Women's History Month artist collection in stores or online at Meijer.com.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 501 supercenters, neighborhood markets, Meijer Grocery and Express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the "one-stop shopping" concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @Meijer and @MeijerPR or become a fan on Facebook.

SOURCE Meijer