Tennis champion and entrepreneur Venus Williams, along with the team behind her interior design firm, V Starr, recently visited Pace Center for Girls, Palm Beach, to join middle and high school-age girls in a special self-portrait art project. Many of the girls at Pace have experienced significant adversity, and this activity was designed to encourage self-reflection and positive self-expression, core elements of Pace’s strength-based and trauma-informed model.
The art project was curated and led by the Norton Museum of Art. Equipped with Polaroid cameras, each girl captured a self-portrait to be included in a larger collaborative collage, celebrating individuality and community.
Reflecting on the experience, a Pace girl, shared, “It meant a lot to me to meet Venus and be part of this project. Seeing myself through the camera made me realize how strong I am. It’s something I’ll always remember.” Her words highlight the powerful impact of this creative exercise in helping each girl recognize her strengths and unique voice.
Mindy Hanken, Executive Director of Pace Palm Beach, echoed the sentiment: “Venus Williams’ visit was truly inspiring for our girls. Through this creative activity, they learned the importance of self-reflection and the power of seeing themselves as strong, capable individuals. We are deeply grateful to Venus and V Starr, as well as the Norton Museum of Art, for giving our girls a meaningful experience that celebrates their unique voices and identities.”
Since opening in 1996, Pace Center for Girls, Palm Beach, located in Palm Springs, Florida, has supported more than 2,000 girls in overcoming challenges and achieving success through its Day and Reach Programs.
The self-portrait activity is part of Pace Palm Beach’s ongoing commitment to fostering self-esteem and resilience among young women. With the support of community partners like V Starr and the Norton Museum of Art, Pace continues to empower girls to recognize and embrace their potential in every aspect of their lives.
