Peer-to-Peer Sessions aim to empower New Bedford's creative entrepreneurs

NEW BEDFORD — New Bedford Creative has kicked off its third season of Peer-to-Peer Sessions, which run through October. These sessions are designed to empower individual artists, creative entrepreneurs, and arts and culture enterprises across Greater New Bedford.

"We are excited to unveil this new slate of Peer-to-Peer Sessions, which are designed to foster collaboration, learning, and growth within our vibrant creative community," Hendrick Hernandez-Resto, creative specialist at the New Bedford Economic Development Council, said in a press release. "These sessions encapsulate our commitment to supporting artists and creative entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive."

The series launched in April with “An Editor’s Advice to Writers,” and “Unveiling the Art of Project Development and Execution," the latter led by artist and educator Kat Knutsen.

On May 14, planning consultant Laurie Zapalac will present a session titled “How Creatives Can Be Seen and Found in a Data-Driven World,” which will review how industry classification codes and creative directories work, and how creatives can best utilize them to gain new clients, partnerships, and commissions. 

Jaden Reyes, founder of Brown Suga Stationery, covers “Creating a Cohesive Brand” and “Being Successful at Vendor Markets and Pop-Ups” in May. June brings two six-part sessions – an “Artist Enrichment” series by downtown New Bedford art gallery owner and artist Alison Wells, and a public relations series by Eworkstyle Institute founder/CEO Paula Robison Deare. 

Claudia De Sousa, Bushwood Tailors Opportunity Shop, will demystify the sewing machine with OppShop on June 5 at a special in-person event at Interwoven. Rhonda M. Fazio, an environmental alchemist and the founder of Interwoven, will lead the “Street Beat Salon" in September and October.

Healing artist and poet Marisol Rosa takes a deep dive into collaboration and partnership in August. In September, Jenny Newman-Arruda and Arianna Swink, co-owners of TL6 The Gallery, each lead their sessions – Jenny with “How To Price Your Work” and “How Mental Health Impacts Our Creative Process” and Arianna with a three-part series on the importance of financials. 

Nearly all the sessions will be conducted online, offering accessibility to a wide audience, and all are free of charge. To register, visit NewBedfordCreative.org.