OLAY will empower 100 female artists of color under its STEAM program

The Fearless Artist (TFA) will receive $100,000 in scholarship funds from Olay Body for the purpose of providing goal-driven artists with accessibility to coaching, community, and art collectors who are committed to social change.

“Olay Body is committed to ensuring women see themselves represented through our brand,” Freddy Bharucha, Proctor & Gamble’s vice president of North America personal care. “By partnering with TFA and offering these scholarships, we can help make a tangible impact in the lives of the very women our new Fearless Artist Collection of body washes represents.”

The dedication is part of Olay's continuous effort to enhance the presence of women of color in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM), according to a press statement.

The funding will assist 100 scholarship beneficiaries who will learn directly from Kiki Somerville, the inventor of The Fearless Artist Method, a unique program of world-class training that guides budding creatives through all the stages to a building a successful career in the arts.

“As a young creative person, I didn’t have people in my world that had art galleries, or understood the business side of art,” said Kiki Somerville, CEO and Founder of The Fearless Artist. “The Young Curators Program was conceived to address the lack of mentorship and gain access to job opportunities in the art industry. It is incredible to have the support of Olay Body to help so many emerging artists as they realize their artistic dreams.”

The partnership is the latest attempt by the beauty company to highlight women of color in art and science, as well as their stories. Olay Body released the Fearless Artist Series variety of body washes at the beginning of the year in an effort to boost the inclusion and exposure of cosmetics made for women of color.

Olay also collaborated with female artist Avery Williamson, who created the design for the bottles, and a diverse group of women to develop the formulae. The body wash and artwork are the first in a collection honoring bold female artists of color who pursue their artistic goals, according to Black Enterprise.

“Overall, I think art is so crucial to our lives and to our wellbeing,” said Williamson. “For me, art is about putting joy into the world. The abstract design of the Olay Fearless Artist Series is meant to represent moments when you’re blooming, growing, and expanding. The dots, dashes, lines, and circles all capture the emotions of everyday life.”

Since 2004, TFA has provided mission-driven artists with accessibility to mentoring and the artist community. TFA's events also have provided a platform for new and upcoming artists and galleries to showcase their artworks and talents.