Practice to portfolio: the art of business workshop

Next date: Thursday, 18 June 2026 | 06:00 PM to 08:30 PM

Join fellow creatives and industry peers for a practical conversation exploring real-world opportunities, diversified income streams – and long-term viability – all while staying true to your creative identity.

This is scaling creative practice beyond the studio.

Why attend

This event is designed for creatives across disciplines. The panel will discuss the realities of balancing artistic passion with sustainability, providing valuable insights into how creative practice can lead to meaningful enduring career pathways.

What to expect

Hear from local artists – Clare Dunstan, Pia Nesvara and Fleassy Malay – as they candidly share their experiences expanding beyond single revenue streams. The panellists will explain how they combine creative flair with strategic business-minded thinking. Discussion points include:

• maintaining creative integrity while navigating commercial realities
• identifying business opportunities that align with your strengths
• developing diverse income channels in the arts.

The conversation will be facilitated by creative entrepreneur Debby Maziarz, known for her expertise in shaping fundable ideas and supporting creative enterprises. Together, the panel will unpack the practicalities and possibilities of the business side of art.

After the discussion, enjoy light refreshments and network with other creatives – topped off with a special live music performance from Pia Nesvara.

About the guest panel

Debby Maziarz: Based in Naarm, Debby is a community development practitioner and creative entrepreneur. She mentors artists and organisations to develop robust plans for resourcing their work, has a strong record in securing funding and building strategic partnerships and is the founder of Westside Circus and DMP, an arts leadership practice in Nillumbik.

Clare Dunstan: Clare is a local illustrator and artist who works primarily in watercolour and mixed media. Her art explores storytelling through animals, nature and everyday moments. Clare runs the creative studio Tog & Pini, produces original artworks and illustrated products and shares her passion through workshops and community initiatives. She illustrated Michael the Volcano Engineer (2024) and aspires to publish her own picture books.

Fleassy Malay: Fleassy is a multidisciplinary artist, two-time TEDx speaker, award-winning poet and internationally recognised spoken word performer. An advocate for women’s and LGBTQI+ rights, Fleassy founded Mother Tongue Poetry, won the 2022 National Folk Festival’s Reciter of the Year and represented Melbourne and Australia in international poetry slams.

Pia Nesvara: Pia is a Chilean-Australian multi-instrumentalist and songwriter known for blending folk, soul, Latin and jazz influences. Her music explores resilience and cultural identity. Starting as a busker, she now performs nationally, teaches, mentors, writes jingles and is active in community event production. Pia’s career demonstrates a commitment to sustainable multifaceted creative pathways – and she’ll be performing live to close the evening.

When

Location

This is a fully accessible venue.

Banyule Council, 1 Flintoff Street, Greensborough, 3088, View Map