Womenfolk - Blick Shared Studios

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Womenfolk is all about inspiring and supporting women in Northern Ireland to have the courage and confidence to follow their creative dreams by providing opportunities for them to come together to connect, inspire, share knowledge and support each other.

Womenfolk Networking Event

Aims and Objectives

To inspire and support women in Northern Ireland to have the courage and confidence to follow their creative dreams

To provide opportunities for creative women to come together to connect, inspire, share knowledge and support each other

To showcase and highlight current successful creative women as role models

Industry Expert Videos

A series of industry expert videos created for Womenfolk

Dig Deep Start A Business Resources

Dig Deep was a 9 month creative enterprise support program we ran which brought together women from different backgrounds to help them build successful and sustainable creative industry businesses.

We wanted to make our resources available to our wider creative Community so that everyone could access them.

Access The Resources

Womenfolk Profiles

Profiles of self-employed creative women and women led creative businesses in Northern Ireland.

Womenfolk Profiles

Peer mentoring

Monthly get togethers for self-employed creative women.

Womenfolk Peer Mentoring

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!! Just a couple of tickets left for this tomorrow night!

- - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -
Come join us tomorrow evening for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story!

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website link below and in profile: https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

May 6

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend! Here`s what`s on at Blick this Month!

- Wed 7th May - Creative Talk - Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

- Sun 4th May - Seaside Books Beginner 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tues 6th May - Seaside Books Intermediate 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tuesday 27th May - Womenfolk Peer Mentoring�
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

�- Wednesday 28th May - Nurture Program Participants Creative Talks
�Time: 7pm - 9pm
�Venue: Blick Great Northern Street�

�Find out more on our website: �https://blickstudios.org/events/��

May 6

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend! Here's what's on at Blick this Month!

- Wed 7th May - Creative Talk - Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

- Sun 4th May - Seaside Books Beginner 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tues 6th May - Seaside Books Intermediate 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tuesday 27th May - Womenfolk Peer Mentoring�
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

�- Wednesday 28th May - Nurture Program Participants Creative Talks
�Time: 7pm - 9pm
�Venue: Blick Great Northern Street�

�Find out more on our website: �https://blickstudios.org/events/��

After a busy year moving buildings and doing lots of things behind the scenes, we are bringing back our regular roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives. Here are some of the opportunities coming up that we think look interesting both locally and internationally!

01. Golden Wolf Internships 2025

Golden Wolf and Doodles are on the lookout for 8 incredible interns to join their teams across London, New York, and remote roles.

Deadline: Monday 12th May 12am

https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/goldenwolf

02. Belfast City Council Bank of Ideas

Residents are being invited to put forward their ideas for creative projects in their community for the chance to receive funding that could see their ideas become reality.

Deadline: Wednesday 14th May 5pm

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/culturefunding

03. IPI New Media Incubator

IPI’s New Media Incubator is an eight-month programme supporting European startups and new media ventures

Deadline: 6th June

https://ipi.media/new-media-incubator-2025/

04. British Council Architecture, Design and Fashion Biennales and Festivals Grants

You can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to facilitate showcasing, exhibition building, travel, presentation of completed design work, networking and skills building.

Deadline: 1st June 23:59pm

https://arts.britishcouncil.org/get-involved/opportunities/architecture-design-and-fashion-biennales-and-festivals-grants

05. Open Call for Designers – Design Signals

Open call to designers of all disciplines to propose research-driven projects that rethink materials, processes and ecosystems within Timisoara’s chemical industry.

Deadline: 4th May

https://faber.ro/en/open-call-for-designers-design-signals/

You can also view them on our blog (link in profile)

May 2

What`s on at Blick this month!

- Wed 7th May - Creative Talk - Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

- Sun 4th May - Seaside Books Beginner 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tues 6th May - Seaside Books Intermediate 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tuesday 27th May - Womenfolk Peer Mentoring�
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

�- Wednesday 28th May - Nurture Program Participants Creative Talks
�Time: 7pm - 9pm
�Venue: Blick Great Northern Street�

�Find out more on the events page of our website (link in profile)

May 1

- - NEXT WEEK - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -

Come join us next Wednesday evening for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story!

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website (link below and in profile) https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Apr 30

We had a lovely few days touring around different creative projects in Belfast last week with Alan and Sarah from @onebite.design who we met in Hong Kong last October when we were visiting for our British Council @the_design_salon and @belfastdesignwk project. It was like being tourists in our own city, and it was great to
see how much Belfast has changed and is continuing to grow and change to reconnect with people we hadn`t had the opportunity to connect with
recently, and to get outsiders` perspectives on the many possibilities the City offers!

Thanks to Alan and Sarah for visiting and inspiring us with their amazing work and to everyone who took the time to chat with them and welcome them to Belfast!

Apr 29

We had a lovely few days touring around different creative projects in Belfast last week with Alan and Sarah from @onebite.design who we met in Hong Kong last October when we were visiting for our British Council @the_design_salon and @belfastdesignwk project. It was like being tourists in our own city, and it was great to
see how much Belfast has changed and is continuing to grow and change to reconnect with people we hadn't had the opportunity to connect with
recently, and to get outsiders' perspectives on the many possibilities the City offers!

Thanks to Alan and Sarah for visiting and inspiring us with their amazing work and to everyone who took the time to chat with them and welcome them to Belfast!

- - CREATIVE TALK NEXT WEDNESDAY WITH ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON SHARING HER STORY - -

Come join us for our next creative talk next Wednesday with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story! Hear and get inspiration from Danni’s journey, learn about her creative process, and gain insights into the world of art and illustration.

ABOUT DANNI:
Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): Wed, May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website (link in profile)

#illustrationbelfast #belfastcreatives #blickstudios #creativetalk

Apr 28

Following on from yesterday`s exercise to help you to understand your purpose, here are some questions to help you to refine your creative purpose

Downloadable Word and PDF exercises and more info on the creative resources section of our website link below and in profile!

https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

Apr 26

Your ‘Why’ or purpose is the reason you have formed your creative practice boiled down to a single sentence (or two). It will help you to connect with your customers and audiences and build an authentic and sustainable creative practice/ business.This exercise will help you to understand your purpose and communicate it to the world.

You can find downloadable PDF and Word versions of this exercise on the creative resources section of our website (link below and in profile):
https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

Apr 25

-- BLICK CREATIVE RESOURCES - UNDERSTANDING YOUR WHY --

“People don`t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Simon Sinek

Our `Why` is the reason our business exists beyond the drive to make money. Our `Why` or brand purpose creates connections with our target customers. Leading with our `Why` and following with the `What` and the `How` helps you connect with your audiences and customers and as your business grows with employees as well.

Finding your `Why` isn’t always simple. It’s more than just making a statement you think your audience will get behind. And it’s far more than co-opting the `Why` you’ve seen work successfully for others. Audiences are smart. They will instantly be able to sense if your `Why` is not authentic. Your `Why` is not the same, but has to align with and drive everything else you’re doing, especially your vision, mission, and values.

Remember:

- Your vision describes where your organization is going in the coming years.

- Your mission focuses on your business operations and the products or services you offer.

- Your values define how your entire organization should go about achieving your mission.

- Your Why shifts focus from internal operations to your external impact.

Over the next few days we will be sharing some resources to help you refine your `Why` for your creative practice or business, you can also find these resources on our website link below and in profile: https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

Apr 24

Our May Creative Talk and the last one until next Autumn is with @dannisimpsonart an Australian Artist who specialises in commercial murals and illustrations.

Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns.

Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS
Event Date(s): Wed 7th May
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

More details and booking on our website link below and in profile https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Apr 23

Happy Easter 🐰 🐣 I hope everyone has a good break despite the awful weather! I managed to get a pic of our Great Northern Street Studios looking lovely in the sun yesterday!

Apr 18

Happy Easter 🐰 🐣 I hope everyone has a good break despite the awful weather! I managed to get a pic of our Great Northern Street Studios looking lovely in the sun yesterday!

2 great new 6 week poetry workshops with Blick residents @seasidebooksni coming up this May in our Great Northern Street Studios. You can find booking details on the event page of our website or the Seaside Books website!

Apr 17

2 great new 6 week poetry workshops with Blick residents @seasidebooksni coming up this May in our Great Northern Street Studios. You can find booking details on the event page of our website or the Seaside Books website!

- - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -

Come join us for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson @dannisimpsonart, sharing her creative story! Get inspired by Danni’s journey, learn about her creative process, and gain insights into the world of art and illustration.

�ABOUT DANNI:

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

�EVENT DETAILS:
��Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

�For more info and to book visit our website link below and in profile: �https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Apr 16

We got a lovely new table for our South Belfast studios from the brilliant Ten Foundations charity shop on the Lisburn Road

Affordable, sustainable, supporting a great charity and close enough to our studios that we could carry it down the road!

Apr 15

We got a lovely new table for our South Belfast studios from the brilliant Ten Foundations charity shop on the Lisburn Road

Affordable, sustainable, supporting a great charity and close enough to our studios that we could carry it down the road!

Thanks to everyone who joined us last Wednesday evening and to Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator for a brilliant creative talk and for letting us look through all her beautiful sketchbooks! Our next creative talk is on Wednesday 9th May with artist and illustrator Danni Simpson @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS: CREATIVE TALK WITH ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free
Booking link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Apr 14

We were featured in Ulster Business along with lots of great companies in an article about coworking in Belfast!
https://issuu.com/ulster_business/docs/ulster_business_february_2025

Apr 10

We were featured in Ulster Business along with lots of great companies in an article about coworking in Belfast!
https://issuu.com/ulster_business/docs/ulster_business_february_2025

- - Shared & Private Creative Workspace Coming Available Great Northern Street South Belfast - -

PRIVATE STUDIO SPACE
We have one small 1 person private studio space (approx 8sqm) with sink, fridge, kitchen units and kettle coming available. It is £285 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband and 24 hour access).

�SHARED STUDIO SPACE
We also have 1 dedicated deskspace in our shared/ coworking space available for £150 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband and 24 hour access).

ABOUT THE WORKSPACE
– 24 hour access
– Breakout area
– South Belfast location close to the Lisburn Road with lots of shops, coffee shops and bars within walking distance
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit

Contracts are for a minimum of 3 months then on a rolling monthly contract.

Interested? Get in touch by emailling christine@blickstudios.org or visit our website for more info: https://blickstudios.org/locations/great-northern-street/

Apr 9

- - Shared & Private Creative Workspace Coming Available Great Northern Street South Belfast - -

PRIVATE STUDIO SPACE
We have one small 1 person private studio space (approx 8sqm) with sink, fridge, kitchen units and kettle coming available. It is £285 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband and 24 hour access).

�SHARED STUDIO SPACE
We also have 1 dedicated deskspace in our shared/ coworking space available for £150 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband and 24 hour access).

ABOUT THE WORKSPACE
– 24 hour access
– Breakout area
– South Belfast location close to the Lisburn Road with lots of shops, coffee shops and bars within walking distance
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit

Contracts are for a minimum of 3 months then on a rolling monthly contract.

Interested? Get in touch by emailling christine@blickstudios.org or visit our website for more info: https://blickstudios.org/locations/great-northern-street/

Our beautiful Hill Street Studios breakout space. Perfect for an afternoon coffee break in the sun and the chance to step away from your desk for a bit ☕️

Apr 8

Our beautiful Hill Street Studios breakout space. Perfect for an afternoon coffee break in the sun and the chance to step away from your desk for a bit ☕️

- -LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!! CREATIVE TALK - ILLUSTRATOR LAUREN KELSO - -

Our next creative talk is this Wednesday with award-winning illustrator Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator (https://laurenkelso.uk/) sharing her creative story.

Inspired by travel, fashion and the world, Lauren creates a variety of illustration prints, greeting cards and more and has recently opened her own bricks and mortar store and studio!

EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Wednesday 9th April
TIME: 7pm - 8pm
VENUE: Blick Hill St

MORE INFO & FREE TICKETS (link below and in profile) https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-illustrator-lauren-kelso/

Apr 7