LEW - Creative Networks Collaboration Event & Intercultural Group with Creatives on Panel with Entrepreneurs Academy - 4th March
- Date: Wednesday 4th March
- Time: 9:30am - 1.00pm
- Venue: Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre, Parthalan Place, Dublin 24, D24KV8N
- Cost: FREE
Theme: exploring experiences, challenges, and opportunities within the wider creative sector.
Panelists
Ayesha Syeddah
Ayesha Syeddah, an adopted Dubliner of Pakistani-Swiss roots, is a writer, creative director and interdisciplinary artivist. As a third culture kid and polyglot, the themes of identity, belonging, migration and decolonisation are central to her professional and artistic practice. Her education in Sociology and her Sufi lineage serve as her compass. Ayesha is passionate about crafting and capturing identities. Through her work, she honours community building and examines intersectionality in non-conformist ways. She has successfully done so for over 10 years in Pakistan, Switzerland, the UK, USA and Ireland. She is the Programme and Community Manager at GORM, managing GORM's community driven initiatives.
Dami Akinniranye
Dami Akinniranye is the founder of Chitchat Galway, where she produces AfroJazz events and creates platforms for migrant and second‑generation Irish artists. A writer and filmmaker featured in Film Ireland, she explores the creative process, politics, and the realities facing ambitious artists. With a background in law, IT, and project management, Dami builds practical legal‑tech tools that support artist sustainability, while advocating for fair pay, accessible policy, and artist‑led networks. She also brings strong organising experience from her work with People Before Profit and continues to champion equitable, sustainable creative careers.
Stefano Messori
Stefano Messori is a Design Strategist and entrepreneur, and the founder of Messori Marketing and Podcast Dublin. He blends creativity and strategy to help brands define their voice and stand out in the digital space. As Manager of The Edge incubation hub in Tallaght, he supports start-ups and established companies through design‑led thinking, bold brand development and innovative problem‑solving. Through Podcast Dublin, Stefano transforms conversations into powerful marketing assets, helping organisations tell their stories louder, brighter and smarter.
Miriam Cassidy
Mim of MimInk Studios is a self-taught visual artist born and raised in the heart of Dublin. With over twenty years of dedication to her craft, she transitioned from painting in the margins of daily life to pursuing her practice full-time. Her work, which she affectionately calls “urban dopamine décor,” captures the beauty, resilience, and vibrancy of Irish culture. Bright, bold, and unapologetically colourful, her paintings transform ordinary urban scenes into abstract-inspired expressions of joy and energy. Deeply rooted in her identity as an Irish woman, Mim’s art celebrates Dublin’s unique spirit while offering viewers uplifting, dynamic works that enliven homes, workspaces, and public spaces.
Grainne Walker
Gráinne is a Creative Producer and Consultant with over 30 years’ experience across theatre, visual arts, dance, circus, festivals and socially engaged arts. She founded Creative Connections in 2019, delivering high‑quality collaborative projects that build identity, wellbeing and community pride. Gráinne specialises in connecting stakeholders, businesses and local groups through creative engagement, most recently producing a major socially engaged arts project with Creative Places Mac Uilliam featuring a 100‑metre public art installation.
Subhashini Goda
Subhashini Goda is a multidisciplinary Bharatanatyam artist and academic whose work reimagines the form across contemporary and intercultural contexts. A 2024 Emma O’Kane Bursary recipient and Dublin Fringe Weft Studio Artist, she has been active in Ireland’s arts scene since 2021 through performances, workshops, and community-focused initiatives. She is an Associate Artist at Solstice Arts Centre, holds a PhD in cultural studies/dance anthropology, coordinates the South Dublin Intercultural Artists’ Network at Rua Red, and runs Creative Brew, a monthly artist meetup in Dundalk.
Facilitated Networking Activities: Interactive exercises designed to spark new relationships, encourage knowledge exchange, and promote cross-network collaboration.
Information & Signposting (LEO speaker Sandra Hickey, Administrative Officer): An overview of LEO supports and other relevant services or initiatives available to creative businesses, artists, and cultural practitioners.
Needs Assessment Poll: A short poll to identify the training and development priorities of attendees, informing future programme design.
Collaborative Brainstorming Session: Participants share knowledge of markets, fairs, exhibitions, retail and wholesale opportunities, trade events, and relevant contacts.
Contributions will be used to create a shared resource sheet for both networks and for LEO.
Key event Outputs
- Increased cross-network connections
- Clear understanding of training needs
- Greater awareness of supports for creatives
- A compiled resource doc outlining market, craft fairs, trade fairs and opportunity pathways