Session Overview:
Are you an early-career visual artist wondering how to thrive in the years following art school? This insightful online panel discussion is designed specifically for emerging artists to explore the challenges and opportunities that arise in the first years after graduation.

Hosted by VAA Directors Laura O’Hare and Shirley-Ann O’Neil, this online event brings together artists, curators, and industry professionals to explore how to grow your visibility, connect with the right networks, and create opportunities in today’s dynamic art landscape.

What You’ll Learn:

• Strategies for building a sustainable art practice while managing finances
• How to effectively showcase your work in galleries and online platforms
• Networking tips for connecting with fellow artists, curators, and industry professionals
• The importance of developing a personal brand and maintaining an online presence
• Insights on applying for residencies, grants, and exhibitions to gain recognition

Guest Panelists:

Hannah Grout is Fair Manager at The Other Art Fair, working with London-based and international artists alike to build an exhibitor base of impressive artistic talent. Her current role intertwines curation and feature management, with previous experience in marketing the global editions of the Fair and PR at a leading fashion house. With a strong background in the arts, Hannah has completed an MA in Contemporary Art Theory from Goldsmiths, along with a BA from the University of Leeds.

Isabel Couceiro de Costa Newman is a Portuguese-American artist and recipient of the Visual Art Open Prize in 2023. A figurative, oil-based painter based in Boston and currently studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Boston University, Isabel has seen her practice and profile grow significantly in 2024, scaling her social media following to over 20K.
https://www.instagram.com/isabelartchives/

Adwoa Botchey and Solomon Adebiyi are the creative duo behind Adeche Atelier, renowned storytellers and content creators with a focus on African mythology and culture. Their work has been commissioned by the National Gallery, BBC, Royal Academy of Arts, and Electronic Arts (EA). Through painting and digital storytelling, they reimagine African mythological deities, folklore, and history, while using online platforms to engage new audiences and challenge misconceptions about African spirituality and heritage.
https://www.instagram.com/adeche.atelier/

Bea Last is a professional practicing contemporary artist, mentor, and educator. Based in Scotland, her practice has both national and international reach. She recently exhibited in Venice as a finalist for the Laguna Arte Prize and in York for the Aesthetica Art Prize. In 2024, Bea received the VAA Artist of the Year Award and the D&GLife Artist of the Year Award for her contribution to the Dumfries and Galloway community. Her wide-ranging experience includes commercial and public galleries, artist-run initiatives, corporate commissions, and selection panels in partnership with Creative Scotland. She also has training and experience working with young people with additional learning barriers.
https://www.instagram.com/bea_last_artist/

Member Ticket Information

In order to access Member Only tickets, VAA Members must be logged into their member accounts. To log in to your account, visit this Login Page. Your member login will be the email address you used to sign up to your membership, and the password that you set. If you are having trouble logging in, get in touch at memberships@visual-artists.org

For questions about the event, please reach out to events@visual-artists.org