A pink parachute can be a lot more than a middle school PE gym toy if it falls in the right hands. 

Art for the People is a gallery that focuses on local artists, and every quarter, it feature artists’ work. The upcoming exhibition is called “Think Pink,” and it features Teodora Pogonat’s photography. “Think Pink” captures the challenges women face throughout their life and the strength they have to overcome them. It will debut Friday, Dec. 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Creative director Lynnie Goodman received an email from Pogonat nearly a year ago. 

“I remember thinking, ‘Wow this is phenomenal. There’s an energy there. There’s an intention and phenomenal artistic ability to create these pieces,” Goodman said. 

As a woman in the electrical engineering field, Pogonat faced discrimination and insults throughout her whole career. She said she wanted to reframe the negative experiences into something positive that other women could turn to and find strength in.

“I’m not the only woman who is going through this (discrimination), and there are so many women who could benefit from being reminded of our strengths and all the really wonderful things we are capable of.” Pogonat said.

In the images, the models pose with a 1960s, 30-pound pink parachute. Pogonat said the parachute signifies multiple things, the qualities a woman has which can be her safety as well as her downfall, if they let it. 

“The parachute is (also) a symbol of the resistance we face in life, but more importantly, the fact that we can control it and land on our feet, and really steer it in the direction that we want to.” Pogonat said. 

In addition to being an art exhibition, Hallie Rae Ward, the art business director, said the gallery is donating 10 percent of the proceeds from the night to The Breast Cancer Research Center.

“Everyone knows somebody or has personally dealt with breast cancer so this is a way to be a part of (helping) that,” Ward said. 

The initial idea for the gallery, Goodman said, was for it to be an art gallery for homeless artists but a couple of those galleries popped up. Owner Deanne Serra decided to open a gallery for local artists instead. 

Goodman said that the gallery finds artists by having open calls where they announce the theme of the next art exhibition on social media and artists can send in their work. They try to find artists whose work represents the theme and also goes well together.

“It’s an energetic journey, the art has to be executed at a certain level and it’s really just about seeing where the energy is flowing and how to get that art curated together,” Goodman said. 

Goodman said when they organize events, they try and create an energy that will help the audience appreciate the art and help artists get a healthy paycheck. If there is an organization that matches the theme and can benefit from a donation, Goodman said the gallery will reach out to them. 

“Our current open call (theme) is celebration, (the) art of celebration,” Goodman said, “It’s really just about seeing where the energy is flowing and how to get that art curated together.”