future creatives link-up 2023

On October 26, we hosted the Future Creatives Link-up, connecting over 100 Welsh creatives across the emerging intersection of fashion, music and art. The event, which took place at Rhostio Cafe in Cardiff, brought together Welsh creatives for a chance to network and connect. Hosted by Liara Barusi and Cherrelle (Coco) Tucker, with sounds from DJ Dan Willow, and guest performances from music group Source. Guests were served bespoke cocktails created in collaboration with Rhostio, as well as appetisers from The Real Ting. 

The event brought together creatives across various fields and industries from South Wales, Bangor and London. Allowing for inter-industry connection and community building. Music industry creatives included Sage Todz, DFlexxx, DJ Willis, singers Aisha Kigs, MissFaithee, and KingKhan, as well as rappers Mirari and Andrew Ogun. Fashion creatives such as brand founder Ibby Abdi, textile-designer Ophelia Dos Santos, designer Miguel Brito and hair stylist Bronwyn De Kock were also present.

The evening also hosted a number of visual artists and creators, such as Onismo Muhlanga, emerging illustrator Amarie, and graphics designer Ibby Tarafdar. Photographers Zaid Djerdi, Amber Ford, Sally Nguyen and Taiye Omokore. Many dancers were also present and could be seen leading the dance floor, these included Reuel Elijah, Patrick Gabco, Plamedi Santima-Akiso and David Udemezue.

Additionally, the event hosted a few representatives of the creative industry in Wales. Namely, Loren Henry, co-founder of our partner organisation Urban Circle. Toni Andrews founder of Lab7, representatives from Radar Magazine, and Devinda De Silva of Arts Council Wales.

With the link-up we sought to deliver a creative industry-level event for the future creatives network that excites, inspires and creates a space for growth and connection. Utilising the event as an opportunity to introduce the Future Creatives event taking place in 2024 in St Fagans Museum, and to open channels for creatives to reach out for collaboration and partnership.

We encouraged creatives to connect with others beyond their immediate circles and industries. A networking session was facilitated by Liara Barussi and Cherrelle (Coco) Tucker, inviting creatives to join groups and answer postcards with questions they would like to ask each other.

The event also featured sounds from DJ Dan Willows, bringing a selection of hip-hop, RnB, Afrobeats and rap. As well as a guest performance from emerging local band, Source, composed of singers Adjua, Lily Webbe and Bruna Garcia. Fresh from their recent performance at Llais Festival 2023 x BBC Horizons, they delivered a soulful and captivating performance. 

Guests were served with arrival cocktails, designed for the event in collaboration with Rhostio, inspired by Cardiff, the Caribbean and West Africa. As well as authentic appetisers from Jamaican local street food pop-up, The Real Ting.

The link-up wouldn’t have come together without our sponsors Arts Council Wales and Vans. As well as all the creatives and local businesses that helped us put it all together. These included Naomi Ferne, Pierre Gashagaza, Joe Andrews and Tom Swindell for documentation. And our incredible team members, Liara Barusi, Lauren Patterson, Darnell Williams, Samandal Sidig, Tarina Tajul, Kairese Hawkins, Akeylah Hinton, Teaghan Scanlon and Karim. 

This event was delivered as a part of our Future Creatives project. The project began in 2021 through a community investigation into the experiences of young black and minority creatives’ in Wales, and has since grown into a highly collaborative and supportive network. The project highlighted a need for more inclusion of creatives in decision-making, community-led initiatives, and tangible long-term support for artists. In response, we have made a commitment towards curating events, and opportunities for this network in 2023. And launching a major event in collaboration with St Fagans museum in 2024.