Freelance career conversations and feminist collage-making are among a programme of events laid on by Bewley’s for International Women’s Day weekend next month.
Students, soon-to-be graduates and creatives curious about starting a freelance career are invited to join an open and instructive session in at the iconic Grafton Street café on March 7 (1-2pm).
‘Now What?’ is a practical reflective session for creatives navigating freelance life, with a focus on photography and art direction, as well as creative practice.
The event will feature short talks by photographer Arann McCormack and artist Nicole Holbrook, who will share their lived experience.
“The day before International Women’s Day, this event aims to facilitate helpful conversation and community among Dublin’s female and queer-identifying creatives, in particular,” said Nicole, who is also Visual Storyteller and head of Creative Activations for Bewley’s Grafton Street.
“We hope it will foster an open discussion and equip attendees with the right tools before they enter into the freelance arena. Be sure to book your ticket on eventbrite.ie.”
Meanwhile, ‘Soft Resistance’ is a feminist ‘zine-making’ workshop, which is set to take place on International Women’s Day, March 8.
A zine is a small, self-published DIY booklet, often made by hand using collage, writing or drawings.
Through collage design and material play, artist Lily Breslin will invite attendees to reflect on how visual culture shapes agency, safety and self-perception.
“Zines are a creative and often political form of self-expression, widely used in feminist, queer and countercultural communities,” said Ms Holbrook.
“Attendees will be encouraged to centre the process over their final product, which will offer them the freedom to experiment and play with the work intuitively and without judgment.
“The simple act of image-making can become a form of quiet resistance, care and self-authority – a means to explore both inner and outer worlds.
“Beyond creating a zine, we want to make a space where women and queer people can make connection and conversation over this shared activity.”
Reserve your seat for the ‘Soft Resistance’ workshop on eventbrite.ie.
These events are part of the Bewley’s Presents initiative, a programme of cultural activations taking place in Bewley’s Grafton Street.
The aim of Bewley’s Presents is to give culture-makers and artists a platform or space where they can shape and share their ideas in an increasingly challenging landscape.