The As We Are Creative Exchange Day was designed to bring together creatives from different backgrounds to share experiences and build new connections. Whether participants were navigating a career change, returning to creative practice after time away, or simply exploring something new, the day created a welcoming space for conversation, reflection, and exchange.
The programme opened with Kareema Munassar’s Dear Moon workshop, inviting us to reconsider our relationship with the moon—a relationship that can easily become distant when living in fast, busy cities. Beginning in the Longsight art space before moving to a nearby park, the workshop encouraged us to get to know one another through conversation and imaginative prompts. Questions such as “How would you describe the Earth to the moon?” and “What would the moon tell you?” became unexpected ways of understanding the people around us. As a participant, I found that listening to others’ responses revealed how differently we each experience and interpret the world. What began as a simple conversation gradually built a sense of trust and openness, making it easier to speak about our creative practices, past projects, and future ambitions.
That sense of exchange naturally continued over a shared meal. Beyond sharing food, participants continued conversations started during the workshop, exchanged ideas, and connected through social media and other platforms to stay in touch. It was a reminder that some of the most valuable moments at creative gatherings often happen between the scheduled sessions.
The afternoon continued with Fauziya Johnson’s workshop on getting creative ideas off the ground. Many of us carry projects that remain unfinished or never quite begin, often because we are unsure where to start. Rather than offering a single solution, Fauziya shared practical tools, resources, and approaches that made creative projects feel more manageable. The session encouraged participants to think beyond perfection and focus instead on taking the first step.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was the diversity of the participants themselves. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to speak with everyone, simply listening to people introducing themselves offered new perspectives. Each person brought a different creative practice and way of thinking. I was particularly inspired by participants who were there to evaluate the event through poetry or to take visual notes on the day, a reminder that creativity can shape not only what we produce but also how we experience the world around us.
The final session, led by Ali Al Jamri, explored the realities of balancing a creative practice alongside full-time employment. It was a conversation that resonated with many participants, acknowledging the challenges of sustaining artistic work while maintaining financial stability. Through Ali’s session, we learned how creative practice can continue to evolve alongside everyday commitments.
Looking back, what made the Creative Exchange Day memorable was not only its programme but the way each session built upon the last. The day encouraged imagination, created space for meaningful conversations, offered practical support for developing ideas, and ended with an honest discussion about sustaining creative practice. Together, these moments demonstrated the value of creating spaces where artists and creatives can learn from one another, exchange experiences, and leave feeling inspired to continue their work.
About the author: Riyad Khouri is a dancer and designer, currently completing an MA in Curating at SOAS University of London. At the time of writing, he is a curatorial intern at The Arab British Centre.