GoFundMe account established to help fund photography project showcasing Iron Workers Local 396 sisters

By SHERI GASSAWAY

Correspondent

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help raise money for a local long-form photography exhibit featuring a group of Iron Workers Local 396 sisters who call themselves Iron Maidens.

Photographer R.J. Hartbeck said his goal for the project is to amplify the women’s voices while highlighting the important and dangerous work they do in a nontraditional environment and to inspire the next generation of women in the trades.

“We hope that the exhibit can be used to educate the public about the hard work these women and all ironworkers do on the job and to increase awareness about the need for diversity and inclusion within the trades,” he said.

Hartbeck recently shot a black-and-white photo series of several Local 396 sisters at the union’s training center. One of those photos featuring fourth-year Local 396 apprentice Lisa Kientzy ended up on the front cover of the September issue of The Ironworker.

The final exhibit would feature printed and framed photography, object installations and a video projection. The end goal is to create an exhibit that can be easily transported and displayed in galleries around the country.

Donations will go toward the printing and framing of these images on museum ready archival paper and toward logistics associated with getting the exhibit ready to be displayed in a gallery setting.

To contribute to the GoFundMe account, visit gofundme.com/ironworker-photo-series. To learn more about the project or become a sponsor, visit rjhartbeck.com or contact Hartbeck at r.hartbeck@gmail.com or 636-577-5657.