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Creative Roundup: Starving Artist Podcast, Free Online Lean Business Planner, Tech Nation Funding & Upcoming Events

Here is a roundup of some of our favourite things for creatives, upcoming funding and support, events, opportunities and inspiration this week. INSPIRATION This week when doing some research for a new potential project I was pointed in the direction...
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Creative Roundup: Slow Business, Inspiration, Funding & Support & More

Here is a roundup of some of our favourite things for creatives, upcoming funding and support, events, opportunities and inspiration this week. INSPIRATION Slow Business Movement - we are starting to plan our new programme of events, activities and support,...
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Meet our Community: Cotton Court Resident Emanuela Mae Agrini

This week we had a quick catchup with our newest Cotton Court resident creative freelancer Emanuela, who told us a bit about herself and her creative work   Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? Hey there! I...
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Creative Roundup 10th June

Here is a roundup of some of our favourite things for creatives, upcoming funding and support, events, opportunities and inspiration this week.   INSPIRATION Belfast School of Art - part of the reason we have chosen to have studios in...
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Helena Lavery

Meet our Community: Yoga Teacher Helena Lavery

Blick is all about community, our creative residents and the wider creative community, but also the people who use our facilities for various different activities. Activities that help support Blick financially so that we can provide affordable workspace and run...
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Creative Roundup 30th May

We plan to regularly bring you some of our favourite things for NI creatives - upcoming funding and support, events, opportunities and inspiration. INSPIRATION This week we're loving Belfast Photo Festival, particularly their Botanic Gardens Exhibit which is just near...
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Meet Our Community: Blick Founder Christine

Since covid we have been very busy with new residents and behind the scenes work in the studios. We are planning to pick things up again with more for the wider creative business community in Northern Ireland in coming months....
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Ronan Bowes – Solo Exhibition with Gallery 545

Ronan Bowes – Solo Exhibition ‘Decompression: Abstract Works on Paper’ Blick is delighted to support resident Francesca Biondi, director of Gallery 545 in her latest virtual exhibition. ‘Decompression’ features award-winning artist Ronan Bowes. This special solo exhibition presents for the...
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Story of Blick

The Story of Blick Shared Studios

FUTURE We now have approximately 70 businesses across our studios with 115 creatives working in our spaces. We are excited to continue our different creative adventures and projects and supporting creatives in Belfast. 2021 In 2021 we finished our Womenfolk...
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Artist feature – Rhea Hanlon

We are delighted to feature Rhea Hanlons artwork in our Malone Studios atrium where it takes pride of place in this sunny breakout space for residents and visitors to enjoy. Rhea is a freelance Illustrator and Animator and a recent...
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Dani McFerran top 100 female entrepreneur

Resident Dani McFerran celebrated as top 100 ƒ:Entrepreneur

Our resident Dani McFerran, founder of award winning Graphic Design studio Done & Dusted , was celebrated for her contribution to entrepreneurship at the House of Lords to mark International Women's Day. Inspirational female founders from across the UK gathered...
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Rosie McGurran 'Corners of Time' solo exhibition

Rosie McGurran ‘Corners of Time’ Solo Exhibition

Blick studios is delighted to host the Rosie McGurran 'Corners of Time' solo exhibition, curated by resident Francesca Biondi of Gallery 545. This exhibition features Rosie McGurran, Royal Ulster Academician and award-winning artist. It presents an extraordinary series of new...
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Holly Cowley

#MeetTheResident – Holly Cowley

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? Hiya! My name is Holly and I’m a 22-year-old Theatre graduate from the University of York. I moved to Belfast in September because I was ready for something new and far...
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Blick's Social Impact

Blick’s 2019-20 Social Impact

Over our 3 sites we supported over 64 small creative businesses to grow their business.   Over 96 businesses have benefited from our virtual business services.   Our workspace has an average of approximately 97% occupancy during this period.  ...
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Clever Ghost

Onwards and upwards for Clever Ghost

Hill Street residents Clever Ghost are moving onwards and upwards, moving to a new private studio on the Lisburn Road, where they can continue expanding their Graphic Design business. We caught up with Paul and Danni before they left and...
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Gillian Callan

#MeetTheResident – Gillian Callan

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? I am a documentary filmmaker working in both TV and theatrical feature documentaries. As a freelancer I tend to jump between directing and producing depending on the project and who I...
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Owen McFadden

#MeetTheResident – Owen McFadden

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? After more than two decades of creating content for BBC radio, I started my own audio production company last year - WhyFi Productions. I continue to make programmes for BBC Radio,...
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Spend local at Blick

Spend Local At Blick this Christmas

Here at Blick we aim to support and promote local creatives in Northern Ireland, and around Christmas, a number of our fantastic residents are crafting, painting and illustrating artwork that would make a perfect christmas gift for your loved ones....
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Ray Walsh

#Meettheresident – Ray Walsh

Tell us a bit about yourself and who you work for Hi, I’m Ray! I’m a Graphic Designer working remotely for a Design studio based in Birmingham. Any projects you’re currently working on? I’m working on a lot of promotional...
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Autumn

#Meettheresident – Autumn Aurelia

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? My business was essentially born from my lengthy battle with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. I'd been completely unable to leave the house alone for around eight years and was becoming increasingly...
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Lyndsay Walker

#Meettheresident – Lyndsay Walker

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? Hi, my name is Lyndsay Walker. I am a freelance presentation designer. I have been self employed for almost 20 years in various creative industries and have been working as a...
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Tom Mathews

#Meettheresident – Tom Mathews

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? I'm a digital artist and animator with a focus on video games and interactive software. I'm currently working with Level 91 Entertainment who are based here in Northern Ireland. Any projects...
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Eoin O'Shea

#Meettheresident – Eoin O’Shea

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? Hi I’m Eóin O’Shea and I am a Chartered Architectural Technologist. I run a CIAT Chartered Practice called PIM Smart where I specialise in 3D modelled technical layout designs with technical...
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New Team Member_Jenny Patterson

New Blick Team Member!

Introducing Jenny Patterson who has joined the Blick team to help with our social media, admin and virtual services. Currently a resident at our Cotton Court Studios, Jenny runs Jenny Eva Design, a Graphic Design and Illustration Studio that specialises...
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Aaron Hickland

#Meettheresident – Aaron Hickland

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? I graduated from Queen's University with a degree in Drama in 2014, and since then I've been working freelance as a performer, facilitator and writer. I trained as a clown in...
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Liam O'Neill

#Meettheresident – Liam O’Neill

A bit about myself & my business: I’m Liam O’Neill. I’ve spent the last 5 years working at Kaffe O, a Nordic inspired coffee brand with 5 shops throughout Belfast. In those 5 years I went from a full-time Barista...
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WEE NULS

#Meettheresident – WEE NULS

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? Hey! I’m Nuala, otherwise known as ‘WEE NULS’.  I’m a multi-disciplinary artist working in a variety of mediums including printmaking, digital illustration and spray paint. I create murals to brighten up...
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Ciaran Crudden

#Meettheresident – Ciaran Crudden

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? My name is Ciaran, I'm a graphic designer and filmmaker and I'm currently working on launching a small creative agency which will be called STIK Creative. I also run a small...
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New Project: Platform for Independent Businesses in Belfast

As a small local business, impacted like so many others over the last year we are really excited to have been working on this project with Belfast Design Week to celebrate and champion local independent businesses My Block is a...
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The Importance of Brand Identity with Scarlett Aubrey

Do you struggle with the fundamentals of creating a brand identity? We are excited to release a short video of a branding expert, Scarlett Aubrey as she breaks down the key concepts to cover when creating a brand identity. Scarlett...
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MANAGING YOUR FINANCES & USEFUL FINANCE RESOURCES

It's Tax return time! the perfect time to implement new finance management systems and practices for your creative business for the next financial year. Here are some of our tips for day-to-day financial management as well as some useful finance...
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Our Highlights of 2020!

Happy New Year everyone! We have made it into 2021 in one piece and we just wanted to take the time to recap our highlights of 2020. In this current climate, things are not easy and it can feel like...
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Pop Up Design Museum Exhibition

In our Malone Road studios, we currently have an  on going exhibition where we have curated some of the artworks from the Belfast Design Week Pop Up Museum. The artworks are in response to the Belfast Design Week 2020 theme...
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Today`s finance resource for emerging creatives is a budget template that you can download from our website as an excel document and complete for your creative business. �Putting together a budget for your creative business will help you to understand your costs, plan out your expenses and reach your goals. It`s also not as complicated as it seems, we have included a downloadable excel budget template on the resources section of our website to help you to put one together for your business (link in our bio or below):

��https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/

Nov 20

Open
Today's finance resource for emerging creatives is a budget template that you can download from our website as an excel document and complete for your creative business. �Putting together a budget for your creative business will help you to understand your costs, plan out your expenses and reach your goals. It's also not as complicated as it seems, we have included a downloadable excel budget template on the resources section of our website to help you to put one together for your business (link in our bio or below): ��https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/

�Today for our finance resources for emerging creatives we are sharing what you need to include on an invoice, something that seems obvious, but really isn`t when you are starting out!

�You can download an invoice template as a word or PDF document from the `Resources for Creatives` section of our website (link in bio or below) that you can then customise for your creative business!

��https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/

Nov 19

Open
�Today for our finance resources for emerging creatives we are sharing what you need to include on an invoice, something that seems obvious, but really isn't when you are starting out! �You can download an invoice template as a word or PDF document from the 'Resources for Creatives' section of our website (link in bio or below) that you can then customise for your creative business! ��https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/

Thanks again to everyone who came along to @stephaniesaloli`s creative talk last Wednesday evening and to Stephanie for giving such a great talk with so many insights and lessons for emerging creatives, as always we will be doing a wee event write up over coming weeks of the key lessons!

Nov 14

Open
Thanks again to everyone who came along to @stephaniesaloli's creative talk last Wednesday evening and to Stephanie for giving such a great talk with so many insights and lessons for emerging creatives, as always we will be doing a wee event write up over coming weeks of the key lessons!

This week we have been thrilled to have been able to help with @belfastdesignwk  and @the_design_salon `s Sustainable Pop-up Design Museum as part of the RE(act) Festival by the @linenquarter in the Europa Hotel today and tomorrow!

If you are attending any events at the festival or just passing by you can pop by to take a look at the Pop-up Design Museum on the 2nd floor!

The Pop-up Design Museum feature 5 local designers incorporating sustainability into their work

- Sam Lynas Co-founder of @get.haru @helpandreuse a tech startup focused on circular fashion

- Azhar Murtuza Founder of @born_maverick a food innovation company

- Stéphanie Heckman @stephaniesaloli a graphic recorder and visual facilitator focusing on working on climate and sustainability events

- Lee Robb founder of Positive Carrickfergus and Co-founder of Carrick Greengrocers @carrickgrocers

- Emily McIlwaine @emtextiles Woven Designer and Horticulturalist

You can also read fab interviews with each of them on sustainability and their design practice over on the Belfast Design Week Website www.belfastdesignweek.com

Nov 12

Open
This week we have been thrilled to have been able to help with @belfastdesignwk  and @the_design_salon 's Sustainable Pop-up Design Museum as part of the RE(act) Festival by the @linenquarter in the Europa Hotel today and tomorrow! If you are attending any events at the festival or just passing by you can pop by to take a look at the Pop-up Design Museum on the 2nd floor! The Pop-up Design Museum feature 5 local designers incorporating sustainability into their work - Sam Lynas Co-founder of @get.haru @helpandreuse a tech startup focused on circular fashion - Azhar Murtuza Founder of @born_maverick a food innovation company - Stéphanie Heckman @stephaniesaloli a graphic recorder and visual facilitator focusing on working on climate and sustainability events - Lee Robb founder of Positive Carrickfergus and Co-founder of Carrick Greengrocers @carrickgrocers - Emily McIlwaine @emtextiles Woven Designer and Horticulturalist You can also read fab interviews with each of them on sustainability and their design practice over on the Belfast Design Week Website www.belfastdesignweek.com

We are so excited through our @the_design_salon collab as part of the �@linenquarter `s �RE[act] Festival 2024 to have Learning Experience Designer Peter Worth join us for a workshop on November 13th, 3-4.30pm in the Europa Hotel.

Peter works at the intersection of design thinking, professional learning, leadership, and culture change. Consulting globally and based in Northern Ireland, Peter’s work focuses on helping teams to elevate local brilliance and use the mindsets of human-centred design to create change so their users can thrive. In recent years, he has worked closely with the Stanford d.school and Catalyst.

Informed by his background in education, Peter has developed a design practice that balances analytical and creative problem-solving. His belief that great progress can be made by taking the time to listen first has positioned him to guide people through their initial discomfort with design to discover skills they did not know they had and to help educators recognize their power in the transformation of schools as a part of a larger story of impact. In addition, Peter works with K12 schools, universities, businesses, and non-profit organizations to promote local innovation.

Spaces are limited so find out more and grab your free ticket on the events page on our website (link in profile)!

Nov 8

Open
We are so excited through our @the_design_salon collab as part of the �@linenquarter 's �RE[act] Festival 2024 to have Learning Experience Designer Peter Worth join us for a workshop on November 13th, 3-4.30pm in the Europa Hotel. Peter works at the intersection of design thinking, professional learning, leadership, and culture change. Consulting globally and based in Northern Ireland, Peter’s work focuses on helping teams to elevate local brilliance and use the mindsets of human-centred design to create change so their users can thrive. In recent years, he has worked closely with the Stanford d.school and Catalyst. Informed by his background in education, Peter has developed a design practice that balances analytical and creative problem-solving. His belief that great progress can be made by taking the time to listen first has positioned him to guide people through their initial discomfort with design to discover skills they did not know they had and to help educators recognize their power in the transformation of schools as a part of a larger story of impact. In addition, Peter works with K12 schools, universities, businesses, and non-profit organizations to promote local innovation. Spaces are limited so find out more and grab your free ticket on the events page on our website (link in profile)!

Pollen Studios + Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of “Palette Perspectives” by Blick resident Emanuela Mae Agrini @emanuela_mae_agrini_art

The event will take place on November 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Pollen’s gallery space located at 7 North Street, Belfast. As part of the Belfast Late Night Art event, this evening will showcase a collection of portrait paintings and fashion illustrations, exploring creativity and individual expression through various subjects and styles.

Nov 5

Open
Pollen Studios + Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of “Palette Perspectives” by Blick resident Emanuela Mae Agrini @emanuela_mae_agrini_art The event will take place on November 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Pollen’s gallery space located at 7 North Street, Belfast. As part of the Belfast Late Night Art event, this evening will showcase a collection of portrait paintings and fashion illustrations, exploring creativity and individual expression through various subjects and styles.

Another chance to check out the interview we did with Stephanie @stephaniesaloli who is sharing her story at our next Creative Talk on Wednesday evening!

Sign up on our website to hear her story in-person!

Nov 4

Open
Another chance to check out the interview we did with Stephanie @stephaniesaloli who is sharing her story at our next Creative Talk on Wednesday evening! Sign up on our website to hear her story in-person!

Just 1 week until our next creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stephanie Heckman sharing her creative story as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator who translates real-time conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries at events and conferences globally including UN climate change negotiations!

Book your free ticket through our website (link in profile)

Oct 30

Open
Just 1 week until our next creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stephanie Heckman sharing her creative story as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator who translates real-time conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries at events and conferences globally including UN climate change negotiations! Book your free ticket through our website (link in profile)

As part of our work with @the_design_salon we have been helping to curate the 3rd Pop Up Design Museum on the 12th & 13th November at The Europa Hotel as part of the RE[act] Festival @linenquarter this November 12th-14th to create a more sustainable Belfast.

The Pop Up Design Museum will themed on "Sustainability." You`ll learn about 5 local designers incorporating sustainability in different ways into their practices and we hope you`ll leave inspired and full of ideas for your own life and work.

We also have a very special workshop - "Design thinking (and doing) for sustainability" - with Learning Experience Designer Peter Worth.

We`ll be sharing more information about the pop up museum and workshop in the lead up to RE[act] and you can visit reactfestival.co.uk to discover the full programme of events.

#reactfestival2024

https://blickstudios.org/projects/pop-up-design-museum/

Oct 30

Open
As part of our work with @the_design_salon we have been helping to curate the 3rd Pop Up Design Museum on the 12th & 13th November at The Europa Hotel as part of the RE[act] Festival @linenquarter this November 12th-14th to create a more sustainable Belfast. The Pop Up Design Museum will themed on "Sustainability." You'll learn about 5 local designers incorporating sustainability in different ways into their practices and we hope you'll leave inspired and full of ideas for your own life and work. We also have a very special workshop - "Design thinking (and doing) for sustainability" - with Learning Experience Designer Peter Worth. We'll be sharing more information about the pop up museum and workshop in the lead up to RE[act] and you can visit reactfestival.co.uk to discover the full programme of events. #reactfestival2024 https://blickstudios.org/projects/pop-up-design-museum/

First in person meeting in our Great Northern Street Studios with our fab Nurture Program participants @kitschsistersbelfast @bethanysmillican and @verahylands who we will introduce you to properly over the coming weeks! Looking forward to working with them all on their creative ideas over the next 8 months!

Oct 29

Open
First in person meeting in our Great Northern Street Studios with our fab Nurture Program participants @kitschsistersbelfast @bethanysmillican and @verahylands who we will introduce you to properly over the coming weeks! Looking forward to working with them all on their creative ideas over the next 8 months!

Just over a week until our next creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stéphanie Heckman a graphic recorder and visual facilitator sharing her story!

Stephanie will be sharing her journey as a creative entrepreneur and how she came to do the work she does. She will share the highs and lows of her journey and what she has learned along the way. She will also share her advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives on how to generate an income from their creativity. Stephanie will also share with us some examples of her work including her work for UN Climate Change negotiations.

Event Date(s): November 6, 2024
Event Time: 7.00 - 8.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to sign up, visit our website (link in profile)

Oct 29

Open
Just over a week until our next creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stéphanie Heckman a graphic recorder and visual facilitator sharing her story! Stephanie will be sharing her journey as a creative entrepreneur and how she came to do the work she does. She will share the highs and lows of her journey and what she has learned along the way. She will also share her advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives on how to generate an income from their creativity. Stephanie will also share with us some examples of her work including her work for UN Climate Change negotiations. Event Date(s): November 6, 2024 Event Time: 7.00 - 8.00pm Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB Cost: Free For more info and to sign up, visit our website (link in profile)

Our next creative talk is on Wed 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios with graphic recorder and visual facilitator Stéphanie Heckman sharing her story.

Stephanie will talk about how she set up her creative business. Her journey so far as a creative entrepreneur, the highs and lows, what she has learned along the way, advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives in general on how to generate an income from their creativity.

There`s more info about Stéphanie below!

Stéphanie Heckman 
Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator

Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her visual summaries transcend language and accessibility barriers, and communicate key takeaways of complex discussions in an engaging, visual way to a much larger audience than those originally present.

Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
https://www.stephanieheckman.com/

EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Wed 6th Nov
TIME: 7PM
VENUE: Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street

You can book your free ticket on our website (link in profile)

Oct 21

Open
Our next creative talk is on Wed 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios with graphic recorder and visual facilitator Stéphanie Heckman sharing her story. Stephanie will talk about how she set up her creative business. Her journey so far as a creative entrepreneur, the highs and lows, what she has learned along the way, advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives in general on how to generate an income from their creativity. There's more info about Stéphanie below! Stéphanie Heckman  Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her visual summaries transcend language and accessibility barriers, and communicate key takeaways of complex discussions in an engaging, visual way to a much larger audience than those originally present. Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional. https://www.stephanieheckman.com/ EVENT DETAILS DATE: Wed 6th Nov TIME: 7PM VENUE: Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street You can book your free ticket on our website (link in profile)