A creative space to fly in…Space2fly 2018!
Hi, I’m Maria the Space2fly Coordinator! Space2fly is a creative mentoring and training program, one of the core programs of Space2b Social Design. I have worked on the Space2fly program since February this year. That’s me in the middle of the group!
Space2fly is our personalised mentor and training program in design and business development for newly arrived migrants and refugees to become small business owners. Developed with and for newly arrived creatives, the program is a platform to form connections, get real life work experience and work side-by-side with established designers. We are proudly funded by the City of Port Philip, the City of Greater Dandenong and local community support.
Local community member volunteer Cathy mentoring Lai Lai in making children’s beanies and Chaw working with Pah Lae working on toy koalas.
Maleeha our skilled mentor is teaching Ayesha how to make our popular beeswax wraps.
Clare, our skilled mentor, is talking product development with trainees in our retail store.
Two of our trainees have been trained to become trainers within their communities. Chaw mentors and trains women in Dandenong. The women have developed their skills in sewing, crochet, embroidery. Chaw sells her own range of quality children’s wear in our retail store and one of Chaw’s sewing trainees Yimon now makes bags and cute designer pencil cases for Space2b.
Lai Lai happily working on making her first beanie.
Sharifeh is mentored in sewing and pattern making by successful business owner Tracey of Shortlist who is one of our retail stockists.
Here she is working on our popular denim dungarees sold in the Space2b store.
Sharifeh, now a mentor herself, training refugee Sudanese women of the Stand Up community in basic sewing skills. StandUp Women’s Group assist refugees to become confident and competent in a range of artistic skills.
Clare, one of our volunteer jewellery mentors, worked closely with Ayaka from Japan, helping her develop her Hanabi-ya brand for the Australian retail market.
Ayaka creating a repurposed fabric flower broach using the traditional Japanese technique of Tsumami-Zaiku.
Ayaka modelling her statement piece showcased at our fashion runway event during our Laneways Festival!
Ayaka’s first jewellery making workshop was a hit at Space2b with Clare’s guidance and assistance.
Each trainer is also supported to get advice on products, design and material sourcing.
Maleeha teaching a workshop to our trainees on market research and product development.
Throughout the last few months our program participants have been given the space to fly in their personal and professional development. This would not be possible without our incredible mentors and our local community volunteers and supporters of Space2b!
by Maria Minerva, Space2fly Coordinator
Thank you to all our mentors, volunteers, people who donated materials and have supported us here at Space2b to run our programs as together we make a difference!
