A brush stroke of business: Creative City Networking Session to get artists ‘Market Ready’

By Taylah Baker

Jun 25, 2024

**One of the event’s speakers is **Shepparton Festival director** Kristen Retallick.** Photo by Megan Fisher

The key to securing work in the arts sector is about to be unlocked.

On Friday, June 28, the fifth Creative City Networking Session will be held at Riverlinks Eastbank with the theme ‘Market Ready’.

The session is open to all creatives – visual artists, dancers, performers, designers, and even budding entrepreneurs with a knack for design – to come together, exchange ideas, and explore upcoming possibilities.

Festivities kick off with the opening of the Art Speaks exhibition, followed by the Market Ready segment, with food and networking in between.

Speakers include Ingrid Thomas from Greater Shepparton City Council and Shepparton Festival director Kristen Retallick.

The experienced duo will host a Q&A session, providing tips on how creatives can promote their work.

Ms Retallick highlighted the session’s dual focus: presenting artists with opportunities and equipping them with tools such as public liability insurance and payment set-ups.

“It’s about breaking down the barriers for artists who’d love to work more, not necessarily just with council, but with other outlets, too,” she said.

Ms Retallick will also share practical tips on how to thrive as a working artist.

“One of the biggest benefits of these networking sessions is meeting other creatives,” she said.

“People can share knowledge and experiences and crack open the egg of understanding about what artists who participate in these events and put their work out there know that you don’t, and what you can learn from them.”

The artists referred to by Ms Retallick are not only part of the Art Speaks exhibition but also the Mini Mart Art Fair on Sunday, June 30.

This weekend, Shepparton transforms into a creative hub, inspiring community members to go from attendees to future exhibitors at markets, festivals and exhibitions.

During this networking session, they will learn how to do just that.

Creative City Networking Session #5: Market Ready is on Friday, June 28, from 7pm to 8.30pm, at Riverlinks Eastbank, 70 Welsford St, Shepparton.

The networking session follows the Art Speaks exhibition opening at 6pm.