Let your inner wild nellie out is the call from Gwen Tuinman, novelist and founder of The Wild Nellies, a collective for women in the creative community of Durham Region.

Tuinman, who was featured in the debut issue of Wunderlit, has organised several events with all female performers since founding the group but on Monday, Jan. 28 she hosts the first ever Wild Nellies Meet-up for Women Creatives. The meet-up takes place at Berry Hill Food Company in Oshawabeginning at 6:30 p.m. and the evening’s proceedings include a panel with writer Carin Makuz, illustrator Dani Crosby, actress Lisa Ferreira and singer songwriter Cheryl Ireland. Theatre director Carey Nicholson and ceramic sculptor Gretel Boose will speak to their experiences as women in the arts and there will be a performance by poet Elise Kubsch as well as Emily Snelling, lead vocalist for Rhyme Jaws.

The Wild Nellies all share a passion for the healing power of creative self-expression says Tuinman. The group’s intention is to introduce women from different disciplines to each other and to a larger audience via their events, meet-ups and their newsletter, website and social channels. Currently among the members, are women from the fields of theatre, photography, film, visual arts, literature, spoken word and music.

“There’ve been golden moments throughout our events, beginning with the long lasting creative and social relationships continue between the women,” says Tuinman, “Many women find, through our events, encouragement to embark on their own creative journey.”

Tickets for the Berry Hill Meet-up are $5 are available here. Proceeds going to a charity which supports the victims of domestic abuse.