About this Event
Navigating the complexities of responding to judgment from viewers and embracing vulnerability as an artist can be arduous, yet it is within our reach to navigate these sensitive topics. By adopting strategic approaches and embracing certain perspectives, we can traverse this terrain with greater resilience and self-assurance. Recognizing judgment and vulnerability as integral aspects of the artistic process holds the potential to propel personal and creative development, forging a path towards authentic and impactful artistic expression. In our conversation, let us delve into the experiences we encounter as creatives or in our daily lives, and explore the ways in which we can skillfully navigate and transcend them.
10 OCTOBER, 6.30 PM TO 8 PM, 6 NIXON STREET, GREY LYNN, AUCKLAND
Convenor of the night:
Amanda Betts – Mentor, Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Programme Facilitator
Amanda Betts, a resilient phoenix who emerged from the ashes of profound trauma. She is a versatile force—inspirational speaker, mentor, coach, workshop facilitator, writer, brand and visibility coach, entrepreneur, and designer. Amanda's journey is one of turning adversity into empowerment.
A survivor of unimaginable challenges, Amanda's experiences fuel her mission. From high school dropout to model and co-founder of a prominent talent agency, she now speaks on resilience, turning pain into purpose, and transforming trauma into opportunities. Her story resonates with how creativity and purpose saved her.
As a mentor, Amanda's work focuses on challenging cases within Oranga Tamariki, supporting at-risk youth and women transitioning from incarceration. Her entrepreneurial ventures include co-founding Red11 Models and creating HeartSpeak, a transformative platform that combines fashion with storytelling to raise funds, visibility, and awareness for causes.
https://www.amandabetts.com/
Panelists:
Julia Ewer – Psychosynthesis Counsellor
Julia works as a Psychosynthesis Counsellor at Te Ora Centre, which is an integrative medical practice in Mapua, Nelson. Psychosynthesis is a psycho-spiritual psychology that facilitates personal growth by harnessing innate vitality, purpose and potential.
Born in the UK, she is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London, has a postgraduate in Health Science from Canterbury University, Christchurch, and a diploma in Visual Arts from NMIT, Nelson.
Julia is a founding member and mentor for the International Association of Creative Meditation (IACM) and facilitates meditation and esoteric study groups in Nelson, NZ. She is passionate about strengthening people’s inner resources for spiritual and emotional health and growth.
Sara Moana – Illustrator, Artist
Sara Moana (pronouns: she/her) was born in Aberystwyth, Wales in 1996 and is currently based in Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa | New Zealand. Sara is both Welsh and Māori descent (Ngāti Tamaoho, Tainui), who works in illustration, animation and public installation; creating art full-time after graduating with her Masters degree in May 2022. She holds a Master of Fine Arts with First Class Honours from Elam School of Fine Arts | The University of Auckland (2022) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with First Class Honours (2020).
Sara’s practice explores topics such as identity, mental health, queerness, body-image, existentialism, and feminism. A subversive yet witty approach to serious themes is continuous to Sara’s style of work in illustration; aiming to create a safe space that is both light-hearted and approachable for the work to stimulate open conversations in everyday life.
Sara has collaborated with a variety of projects such as Auckland Council, Converse, ASB, RainbowYOUTH, New Zealand Government’s UNITE AGAINST COVID-19, Samsung, Ensemble Magazine, Auckland Pride, Basement Theatre, Massey University ‘Massive’ Magazine, AUT ‘Debate’ Magazine and more.
@SaraMoana
www.saramoana.com
Vira Paky – Storyteller, Community Engagement Specialist
Vira Paky is a first-generation Congolese-Kiwi storyteller, raised and based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She is a Community Engagement Specialist with extensive engagement experience in mental health and civics advocacy and refugee youth support. She continually works alongside NGOs, local and central government with the overall focus to strengthen and amplify the voices of young people. However, her true calling lies in storytelling, where she acts as an emerging poet, playwright, and arts programmer. Currently, she serves as the Programming Co-ordinator at Basement Theatre where she curates and fosters a platform for artistic expression that resonates with diverse creative communities within Tāmaki Makaurau. Her belief in the profound power of art for driving transformative social change fuels her work as a politically engaged storyteller. Through her art and advocacy, she weaves together the threads of creativity, compassion, and activism, leaving an indelible mark on the local communities that she engages with.
Hosted by Ockham Collective
Sponsor Joiy wine
www.joiy.co.nz
www.born-to-create.org
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
6 Nixon Street, 6 Nixon Street, Auckland, New Zealand
NZD 15.00