Creative Groups Sydney

Come draw & Win Tablets! | Sketch Off

**Come draw with us! 😆** **Whether you’re here to draw socially or compete to win tablets from our sponsor Wacom, you’re in for a fun night of sketching and mingling at this play session for artists.** **For contestants:** **You’ll be placed into teams and given a theme. You’ll have ~2 hours to create a group piece on a Wacom tablet. Winning team takes home a tablet each! 😱** **For art lovers:** **Come hang, mingle, and sketch with others. Cheer for your favourite artists and enter the raffle to win your Wacom tablet.** **Event rundown:** **6:00pm — Mingle & sketch together (throughout the event)** **6:30pm — Competition begins (teams form, theme revealed)** **8:30pm — Competition ends, winner crowned** **9:00pm — Event wraps** **See you there!** **Also check out our monthly Shorts Off - play sessions for video content creators.(Insta: @Shorts.Off.event)** **$35 for Contestant** **$10 for Art-lovers** **Enter HIGHFIVE for $5 off 🌟** **Purchase at** **https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sketch-off-lets-draw-tickets-1987978735914?aff=oddtdtcreator** **⸻** **Questions? hello@shortsoff.com**

Painting Creative Art Experience

**Painting Creative Art Experience** Join us for a fun and relaxing in-person workshop where you'll explore the power of painting to unlock your creativity and promote healing. No experience needed—just bring your open mind and let your imagination flow! Step into a calm, welcoming space where you can slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself through colour and creative expression. This is a gentle, guided painting experience designed to support emotional release, relaxation, and creative flow—no art experience needed. You don’t need to be “good at art.” You just need to come as you are. Through intuitive painting and reflective creative exercises, you’ll be invited to explore your inner world in a safe and supportive environment. This is a space to let go of pressure, quiet the mind, and reconnect with your natural creativity. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, creatively blocked, or simply needing time to rest and reset, this workshop offers a pause from everyday life and a return to yourself. You’ll be gently guided by **Louisa Chan**, an artist and art therapist who integrates creativity, emotional wellbeing, and healing practices into her work. Expect a relaxed, nurturing atmosphere, soft guidance, and a sense of freedom to express what words often cannot. **In this workshop you will:** * Explore painting as a tool for emotional expression and release * Experience a calm, supportive creative space * Reconnect with your imagination and inner world * Let go of perfection and create freely * Leave feeling more grounded, lighter, and creatively refreshed No experience needed. All materials are provided. Come as you are—leave with colour, calm, and something meaningful you created from within.

Networking Drinks #29

Here is our July event =D Join us once again at **The Art Syndicate**, a unique wine bar and gallery nestled in Surry Hills for a relaxed evening blending local drinks and meaningful conversations which should be perfect for a cold winter night. 🍷 **Event info:** ✅ Come discover some amazing NSW wine, beer and spirits. ✅ Expand your network of designers & make connections that last. ✅ No formal talks or speeches - just great conversations in a relaxed, friendly environment. *Check out my reviews on this page to see what others are saying!* **Venue information:**
 You'll find us at this art gallery & wine bar in Surry Hills. They exclusively offer a curated selection of NSW-based wine, beer and spirits! There is even art for sale! **Check them out on socials:** https://www.instagram.com/theartsyndicate.com.au/ **How to find us:**
 We are on Bourke Street, a short walk from Oxford Street or Central Station. **Join our What'sApp group:**
 Since Meetup has removed the event chat feature, [please join this WhatsApp group](https://tinyurl.com/uxad2026) for the latest event updates! Cheers, Josh

Create beautiful visual artwork

You will be introduced to basic pouring techniques and art-theory. Followed by a demonstration of pouring paint. You get to create your own painting on a 15×20cm canvas. We then discuss how you found the experience and what you will like to try out perhaps for next time. Please note paintings usually take 3 to 4 days to copleately dry, the varnish can be applied to finish them after that to complete the artwork. If you would like to take them home on the day, please bring a tray or cardboard for ease of transportation. Wearing old clothes and sneakers to the workshop are recomended (just in case of paint spilling). Before the workshop You may like to google flow art techiques on utube, for Ideas of techniques you may like to try. Just come along and enjoy the experience and the fun in flow art.

Don't prompt the Solution: Build the Brain

Welcome Back CCX Sydney to our Events for 2026 from myself, Lydia, Sylvia and James and we are planning a bumper selection of speakers for the new year. Our next event on July 21st will be a interactive AI tools workshop facilitated by our very own James Earnshaw and from Faster Zebra Charbel Zeaiter who will both be showing and helping our CCX members move beyond the prompt and start using AI more effectively to deepen Design discovery. As this will be a workshop, will be applying a $10.00 cover charge to cover Food and drinks and on this occasion will be kindly hosted by our new friends at Lorikeet. Details below on the venue location (Surry Hills) **IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THIS SESSION!** **An Important detail is that due to gaining entry to Lorikeet we will need any CCX Member planning to attend this session to supply us with their First and Last name in advance of attending.** On this occasion we will not be able to accept Members who do not supply these details. Many thanks CCX Sydney. PLEASE NOTE Attendees please bring your own Laptops and your favourite AI prompting tools installed ready to use. **About the workshop** AI is often framed as a way to move faster: faster ideas, faster wireframes, faster outputs. But for designers, that may be the least interesting use case. This session explores how AI can be used at the beginning of the design process — during discovery, framing and definition — not to replace design thinking, but to amplify it. Drawing on the Double Diamond, service design and UX discovery practices, we’ll look at how small, deliberate interactions with AI can build a shared “project brain”: a strategic thinking partner that understands the context, constraints, users, assumptions, risks and emerging opportunities. This is not a talk about agents. It is not a demo of one tool. It is a practical exploration of how the skills designers already have — framing, questioning, synthesis, critique and sense-making — become even more valuable when working with AI. Part talk, part workshop, attendees will try a step-by-step discovery flow for themselves and explore how AI can help them stay in the problem space longer before jumping to solutions. About James: James Earnshaw is a UX and product design leader who has spent his career helping teams make sense of complex problems across telecommunications, banking and financial services. With a background in service design, discovery, design systems and enterprise product delivery, James is interested in how strong design process helps teams avoid rushing to the first plausible answer. Recently, he has been using that experience to develop a new way of working with AI — one that leans into the Double Diamond, structured discovery and step-by-step context building to turn AI into a sharper strategic partner, rather than just a faster content generator. About Charbel: With 27+ years across design, tech, education, entrepreneurship, and product, I’ve built things that breathe across four continents. From shop floors to strategy rooms, classrooms to fabric cutting rooms, I’ve helped companies and people shape their vision and make it tangible. Right now, Charbel is focused on: • Neupreneur (coming soon) • Faster Zebra: learning for the new economy • Velvet Onion & Friends: an innovation and product development agency • Febble Flim & Family: fictional worlds that dance too close to the edge of reality And now, I'm bringing these vast experiences to life: Young Founders, The Innovators, XD4.0 & Brand Mavericks: kits and books for mindset-first founders building ventures that open up a world of possibility. If you're to explore something - conventional, unconventional, or completely undefined - I’d love to hear what you’re working on. Good things come to those who make. Therefore don't miss out on a place at our second interactive workshop CCX Sydney event for 2026, as places will be limited for this session.

Willoughby Literary Festival: Kate Forsyth

**If you're coming, [please RSVP through the library](https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Kate-Forsyth-in-conversation-with-Sue-Williams-1990532314737#) as well as here so they can keep track of numbers.** Join Kate Forsyth in conversation with Sue Williams as they discuss Kate’s latest book *The Changeling*. Hear the inspirations behind her compelling literary work exploring shame, identity and resilience across 19th- and 20th-century Australia. **[Please RSVP through the library.](https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Kate-Forsyth-in-conversation-with-Sue-Williams-1990532314737#)** **About Kate Forsyth** Kate Forsyth is an award-winning author and oral storyteller whose work is inspired by Scottish history, folklore and fairy tales. Her books include *The Changeling*, based on the first Scottish witch hunts of the 16th century, *Psykhe*, *Bitter Greens* and *The Witches of Eileanan*. Kate holds a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale studies, leads literary tours and writing retreats, and has sold more than 1.5 million books in 20 languages. **About Sue Williams** Sue Williams is a best-selling author, and award-winning travel writer and journalist. She has written three historical novels set in early colonial Australia: *Elizabeth & Elizabeth*, *That Bligh Girl* and *The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress*, but her latest book is a historical novel with a personal story at its heart, *The Duke's Secret*, about the Duke of Wellington and his affairs. They're in addition to her over 30 non-fiction books. ***Did I mention you should [RSVP through the library](https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Kate-Forsyth-in-conversation-with-Sue-Williams-1990532314737#) to make sure they know our numbers?***

SydDT #128: When Does Design Become Strategic?

Most designers want to be more strategic. But what does that actually mean? Is strategic design about working on bigger problems? Influencing executives? Creating visions and roadmaps? Driving transformation? Or are we confusing good design with strategic design? Join us for our July meetup where a panel of experienced strategic design leaders will explore one of the most debated questions in our profession: what makes design strategic? We’re lucky to have Dr Leanne Sobel, Jaimes Nel, Paul Merrell, and Lize Wordsworth sharing their insights with short lightning talks before we open up a panel discussion and audience conversation. We'll explore: * What strategic design is * What it isn’t – with common misconceptions and traps * How strategic design differs from other design disciplines * Where strategic design is heading * How designers can increase their strategic influence and impact Expect diverse perspectives, thoughtful discussions, and practical insights for designers at every stage of their career. Come join us for some fun conversations with interesting people in and around the design thinking community. New members are welcome! **SPEAKERS** **[Dr Leanne Sobel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lsobel/)** **Adjunct Fellow, UTS Business School** Leanne is a strategic designer, researcher, and educator. Her PhD research explored the role of design in strategy, and her work focuses on applying design practices, systems thinking, and participatory approaches to complex organisational challenges. With experience spanning consulting, academia, and industry, Leanne is a leading voice in the evolving field of strategic design. **[Jaimes Nel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimesnel/)** **Founder, Path Ventures** Jaimes is the founder of Path Ventures, a Sydney-based consultancy helping organisations connect strategy to action through design-led approaches. With more than 20 years of experience spanning service design, digital transformation, and organisational change, Jaimes has worked with organisations including the NHS, BBC, GOV.UK, Westpac, ING, and TAL. His work focuses on helping organisations “play the long game” by using strategic design to navigate complexity and deliver lasting change. **[Paul Merrell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-merrell-9861846/)** **Senior Service Designer, Allianz** Paul is a design leader and strategist with extensive experience applying service design and human-centred approaches to organisational transformation. Currently with Allianz Australia, Paul works at the intersection of customer experience, business strategy and change, helping organisations navigate complexity and deliver meaningful outcomes. His work is grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens when strategy connects with the realities of people, systems and delivery. **[Lize Wordsworth](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizewordsworth/)** **Group Head of Business Architecture & Design, Westpac Group** Awesome bio coming soon… **EVENT SPONSORS** This event is brought to you by [Atlassian](https://www.atlassian.com/), [Shapeshifters](https://www.sh8peshifters.com/), and [Dynamic4](https://dynamic4.com/). We take photos and record our events for documentation and promo purposes. Just let us know if you prefer not to be featured.

Online Photography - The letter E

GLEBE ZINES

Beer and Pixels - Monthly - 2025

Beer and Pixels is back as usual, on the second Tuesday of the month. At the Off Broadway Hotel. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Got a game, demo or prototype you need people to playtest? Bring it along! Just provide a computer and input device, or a copy of the boardgame or card game you wish to show off, if you are a physical game dev :) Don't have a game to show? No worries! Just come on down, grab a beverage of your choice and play the games on display. See you there! PS: We have a Google Calendar of all Sydney events: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=dXNpcGNlZzRzdGhrZGE5cnF0bDUwMHJlMDhAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ PPS: If you are driving, parking is free after 6pm at the Broadway Shopping Centre. https://www.broadwaysydney.com.au/visit/parking [#BeerAndPixels](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/beerandpixels?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZXA1_Gs4GRAZsh55FxkF-C6TQs0cL7M-55eLC0PY3jSLiQIvmXsZYz39rKYw0ltJ6skKgSCCcFoA99W-7NeyX-WKj_Pb3uUHqNtK-RaC0IrJA&__tn__=q)

Automate Your Social Media and Content Creation with AI Agents

Until 11th July, early-bird tickets for $39 are available. Tickets will be $49 thereafter. If the event is sold out and you want to join, get the tickets on Eventbrite: [https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/automate-your-social-media-and-content-creation-with-ai-agents-tickets-1991020686470](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/automate-your-social-media-and-content-creation-with-ai-agents-tickets-1991020686470) **Overview** Spending hours on content every week? Build AI Content & Social Media Agents in this 2.5-hour hands-on workshop at WSTI. > **"I spend hours every week on content — and still hate what I post."** Sound familiar? You're running the wrong engine. In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, you'll build an AI Content and Social Media Agent that captures the voice of the business and turns content from a weekly grind into a 30-minute Monday morning. Walk in curious. Walk out with a working AI Agent. **What You'll Walk Out With** * A working AI Content and Social Media Agent built during the session * Hands-on experience setting it up on a real business scenario * A clear understanding of the resources and next steps to apply this to your own business **Who This Is For** * SMEs falling behind on content and social media * Founders who know marketing matters but can't find the time * Anyone curious about how Western Sydney SMEs are already running on Agentic AI **What to Expect** * **Background** — what Agentic AI is and how it transforms brand and social media work * **Demo** — a live walk-through with a real business scenario * **Hands-on Project** — build your own AI Agent at the table * **Next Steps** — how to take this further **Run on AI Agents Series — June 2026** * **Sat 6 Jun** · Automate Your Business Operations with AI Agents * **Sat 13 Jun** · Automate Your Content Creation and Social Media with AI Agents * **Sat 20 Jun** · Automate Your Sales Pipeline with AI Agents * **Sat 27 Jun** · Automate Your Business with AI Agents — AI OS Build Day *(full-day flagship)* **FAQ** *Do I need to know anything about AI before I come?* No. We start from "I've heard of ChatGPT" level. If you can use email, you can do this. *Do I need to bring a laptop?* No — WSTI provides a workstation for project activity. Bring your own if you'd like to keep tinkering afterward. *What platform do you use?* We work with Claude Code and Claude Cowork — the same approach can be applied with other Agentic AI tools and platforms too. *Do I need an AI licence to join?* No — WSTI provides everything you need to use during the workshop. **Notice of Photography and Filming** By entering this event, you acknowledge that photography, audio, and video recording may occur. Your attendance constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of such media for promotional purposes by Western Sydney Tech Innovators (WSTI). If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please inform a WSTI team member upon arrival. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sip & Paint WINTER EDITION

❄️🎨 SIP & PAINT WITH A BAY VIEW – WINTER EDITION 🍷✨ Escape into a cozy winter morning overlooking beautiful Mosman Bay and join us for a special Christmas in July inspired Sip & Paint experience. Enjoy a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with: • Painting session by the water • Homemade Italian food • Wine, drinks & coffee included • Warm winter vibes, candles & bay views • No experience needed – everyone is welcome Whether you come with friends, your partner, or by yourself, this is the perfect way to slow down, connect, create, and enjoy a unique Sydney winter experience. 📍 Mosman Bay, Sydney 🗓 Sunday, 19 July ⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (you can stay as long as you want afterwards) 🎟 TICKETS HERE: [Book Your Tickets Now](https://events.humanitix.com/sip-and-paint-bay-view-mosman-or-winter-special-edition/tickets?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Limited spots available. ✨