Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Parama Roy Bardhan, a pioneering Bharatanatyam Dancer. In our interview with Parama Roy Bardhan , Mark created her fantasy cultural year from the answers to some easy questions. Expect surprises, conversational detours, laughs and anecdotes. Born in Khardah, a suburb of Kolkata, Parama Roy Bardhan began her journey in Indian classical dance at the tender age of four. Raised in an artistic household, she was introduced to various creative disciplines early on. At the age of eight, she began learning Kathak, but it was Bharatanatyam that truly captured her heart. Under the guidance of Guru Sri Pradeepta Niyogi, she trained in Bharatanatyam for twelve years, developing both technical excellence and emotional depth in the art form. Her path took a poignant turn following the untimely loss of her father, which led her to focus on academics in order to support her family. She pursued a BTech in Software Engineering and eventually began working in the field. After marrying in 2014, Parama settled in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, where she continued her career as a full-time software professional. Despite her demanding profession, Parama's passion for dance remained alive. In 2019, she made the life-changing decision to reconnect with Bharatanatyam. By 2021, having regained her professional performance calibre, she debuted onstage once again, initially performing within the Indian community in Atlanta before venturing onto multicultural stages across the USA. Parama quickly distinguished herself as a solo Bharatanatyam performer in an environment where Indian classical dance was often limited to group performances within community-based events. “I questioned why Indian classical art forms weren’t more visible on American stages beyond the Indian community,” she reflects. Determined to change the narrative, she sought out opportunities to showcase her work on inclusive, cross-cultural platforms. Her breakthrough came with performances at notable multicultural events such as the Johns Creek International Festival and the Cobb County International Festival. At the latter, she was the sole performer representing India, selected alongside artists from eight other countries. Her electrifying performance of Thillana  captivated audiences from diverse backgrounds and drew praise from organisations including the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, with her work featured in both Appen Media and the Marietta Daily Journal. However, the journey was far from easy. In the early stages of her return to dance, Parama faced a setback at a professional zonal competition. Despite being commended by the judges and audience, she was not awarded the top prize—something she attributes to internal politics. This experience, rather than disheartening her, ignited her resolve to reach larger and more credible platforms. She began applying to national and international festivals and competitions hosted by prestigious bodies such as the Indian Cultural Council, the Australian Council, and the U.S. Arts Council. Her decision paid off. Recognition and awards followed—including the Best Traditional Dancer in the Professional Category from the Australian Cultural Heritage Council. Her performances now span both India and the West, and she is increasingly sought after on international stages. In addition to performing, Parama has embraced the role of educator and choreographer. She has conducted workshops and school demonstrations, introducing young students to the cultural richness and physical discipline of Bharatanatyam. Her choreographic works have been warmly received by the Indian diaspora and beyond. Parama is a firm believer in the holistic benefits of Bharatanatyam. “It’s not just an art form,” she says. “ It enhances mental focus, physical stamina, and emotional well-being. Regular practice supports cardiovascular health, improves circulation, and even enhances eyesight through eye movements. The nine emotions—Navarasa—expressed in Bharatanatyam make the mind meditative and focused.” Looking to the future, Parama aspires to found her own dance school, where she can teach and inspire the next generation of Bharatanatyam dancers. Her long-term vision is to promote Indian classical dance globally, encouraging its appreciation across cultures and ensuring its preservation and relevance in the modern world. Today, with a career that spans over seventeen years, Parama Roy Bardhan stands as a beacon of artistic dedication—honouring tradition while fearlessly embracing the world stage. Parama Roy Bardhan's Fantasy Cultural Year In a delightful and imaginative interview with Mark Walmsley of the Arts and Culture Network, internationally recognised Bharatanatyam dancer Parama Roy Bardhan stepped into a fantasy scenario: a year devoted entirely to cultural exploration around the world. Guided by Mark’s questions and Parama’s thoughtful responses, this whimsical journey unfolded like a beautifully choreographed performance. The year begins in Paris, where Parama finds herself seated at a pavement café, gazing at the Eiffel Tower on a warm June evening. On the table before her sits a glass of homemade lemonade—her drink of choice—and a book steeped in history and art. A passionate lover of cultural heritage, Parama’s reading might involve the ancient stories of Ajanta and Ellora or the classical civilisations of Athens. She also reminisced fondly about her childhood love of detective novels, especially those in her mother tongue, Bengali, and her admiration for Sherlock Holmes. Then, as if lifted from a dream, a wealthy French cultural foundation—having seen her mesmerising dance performances—offers her an extraordinary opportunity: a year-long, all-expenses-paid global tour to introduce audiences to the beauty and discipline of Indian classical dance. Accompanied by her own troupe of musicians and dancers, she would perform, choreograph, and teach, with the promise of a book deal, a television series, a TED Talk, and a university lecture tour to follow. Her first stop? Sydney, Australia—a natural choice given her current involvement in a choreography project with artists from the Australian Cultural Heritage Council. As she flies first class from Paris, a steward hands her a refreshing lemonade and a note from the foundation with a curious request: for the duration of the year, she must choose one type of music to listen to exclusively. After careful thought, Parama selects soothing, meditative music, which she finds both emotionally healing and creatively inspiring. In Sydney, she is taken to a remarkable dance performance—brought to life by Mark’s time-travelling magic wand. The show opens with classical ballet, followed by a powerful piece of ancient Indian classical dance, reflecting Parama’s deep appreciation for diverse traditions. Later that evening, she dines on sushi, one of her favourite international dishes. The tour continues to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From her flat, she can see both the Christ the Redeemer statue and the sweeping bay. It’s sports day, and although not a keen follower of sport, Parama gamely chooses to attend a football match, especially one featuring Brazil and India—joined by friends who help her follow the game’s rhythm and rules. In Rio’s cutting-edge virtual reality gallery, Parama steps into the dreamlike world of Salvador Dalí, wandering through his surrealist paintings. However, it is Brazil’s traditional art forms that capture her imagination most—particularly Capoeira, the dynamic blend of dance and martial arts, which she is eager to witness and understand. Next comes London, where she reunites with Mark for a week of nightly cultural outings. On Monday, they attend a Coldplay concert; Tuesday brings a Shakespearean play—Macbeth, fittingly at the Globe Theatre. Wednesday is for a West End musical, Thursday the opera, where they enjoy Puccini’s Madam Butterfly, and Friday ends with a film screening. Though Parama modestly admits she isn’t much of a filmgoer, she agrees to re-watch the evocative Slumdog Millionaire , appreciating its music and emotional depth. During a leisurely sushi lunch in London, Parama is given the chance to invite anyone, past or present, to join her. Without hesitation, she names her husband, whom she credits as her greatest supporter and constant encourager. In a touching reversal, when asked whom her husband might invite if not her, she replies that it would likely be one of his favourite tennis players—perhaps Nadal or Djokovic. As this magical year draws to a close, Parama returns home—not to rest, but to embark on the next phase of her mission: a global lecture tour, introducing students and audiences alike to the physical, emotional, and spiritual depth of Bharatanatyam. Her performances, workshops, and talks will continue to bridge cultures, inspire new generations, and preserve an art form that has shaped her life. Parama Roy Bardhan’s fantasy cultural year is more than a flight of fancy—it is a reflection of her artistry, curiosity, humility, and unshakable commitment to cultural connection. With Mark Walmsley’s imaginative direction, her inner world unfolded in a story of light, movement, and cross-cultural celebration. Parama Roy Bardhan on LinkedIn Parama by email. Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Lorentz Gullachsen, photographer and luminary visual communicator. Lorentz Gullachsen is a versatile advertising and portrait photographer whose career spans a wide range of genres from travel and automotive to healthcare, telecommunications, and lifestyle. Amal Clooney by Lorentz Gullachsen His work has taken him around the world and into collaborations with high-profile clients such as Bentley, Land Rover, Honda, Gallo Wines, Vodafone, British Airways, BT, Johnson & Johnson, Claridges, and tourist boards from the UK to the USA, Spain, Sweden, and beyond. Editorially, his imagery is also represented by Getty. In our interview I created a fantasy cultural year for Lorentz from the answers to some eady questions. There were no wrong answers. Expect surprises, anecdotes, laughter, and conversational detours. In 2008, Lorentz returned to university to pursue an MA in Visual Communication (Still & Moving Image), graduating in 2010. This shift deepened his approach to photography, moving his practice into the realm of fine art while also embracing video production—an evolution that’s shaped much of his work ever since. Though his portfolio spans many subjects, people remain at the heart of his photography. His portraits are included in both private and public collections, including the Birmingham Library Photographic Archive and the National Portrait Gallery. He’s received numerous awards, including multiple D&AD Pencils and AoP Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. Graham Norton by Lorentz Gullachsen Lorentz’s projects and exhibitions have ranged from community-focused shows like Movers & Shakers – Faces of a Changing City  at Birmingham Symphony Hall to thematic exhibitions such as The V-word , AQUA – The Essence of Life , and Festival Faces  in Stratford-upon-Avon. His work continues to explore both artistic and humanitarian themes. In recent years, his focus has turned toward portrait and lifestyle photography for purpose-driven campaigns. He’s proud to support organisations such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, Shelter, Centrepoint, the British Lung Foundation, Asthma UK, and Dying with Dignity—creating powerful visual narratives that raise awareness and drive change. An experienced educator, Lorentz is also a visiting lecturer at several universities and teaches online through the Open College of the Arts. In 2015, he founded GULHOS , a production service dedicated to providing standout photography and video content for the hospitality and travel industries. Whether behind the camera or in the classroom, Lorentz Gullachsen continues to blend craft, compassion, and communication in everything he creates. Lorentz Gullachsen's Fantasy Cultural Year As imagined in conversation with Mark Walmsley, Arts and Culture Network with the aid of a time machine, a magic wand, and a Start Trek transporter. Photographer Lorentz Gullachsen  embarked on a vivid, globe-trotting journey through an imagined cultural year, one filled with art, music, memory, and meaning. We began on the starkly poetic shores of Dungeness, Kent , where Lorentz found inspiration not in grand architecture, but in the quiet dignity of a weathered beach shed —a minimalist retreat, perfect for contemplation with a non-alcoholic Guinness  in hand. Nearby, a copy of Winnie the Pooh  offered whimsical wisdom and grounding charm, a book Lorentz treasures for its timeless humanity. From there, the journey lifted off, first class, of course, to Venice , where a commission from a fictitious philanthropic foundation launched him on a high-profile global portrait tour. In the air, a carefully curated classical playlist, Vivaldi to Beethoven, set the tone for a year of depth and discovery. In Venice, young photographers welcomed him to an apartment overlooking the Rialto Bridge , and whisked him off to an extraordinary dance performance, thanks to a bit of time travel, it featured Nijinsky dancing The Firebird  in a majestic Russian theatre. Dinner was elegantly simple: grilled seafood and fresh salad , Italian style, before teleporting to San Francisco , where Lorentz revisited a lifelong passion, surfing , from the shoreline of a world championship competition at Huntington Beach . Next stop? Patagonia —a long-held dream destination. There, in a newly opened digital art gallery, he stepped virtually into the painterly world of J.M.W. Turner , an artist who has moved him since childhood with his luminous depictions of light and landscape. Back in London, Lorentz curated a week of cultural favourites: Monday : A dream concert with Bob Marley  at the Rainbow Theatre, circa 1977. Tuesday : A play at the Royal Shakespeare Company  in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon . Wednesday : The original performance of West Side Story, a rare musical favourite. Thursday : A visually arresting opera chosen not for its libretto, but for its staging and emotional power. Take your pick. Friday : A classic film night featuring Lawrence of Arabia , enriched by Lorentz’s personal memory of meeting Peter O’Toole. And to cap it all off? A hero lunch  with Charles Darwin , whose revolutionary thinking reshaped how we see the world. If Darwin could invite a guest, Lorentz thought he might choose Leonardo da Vinci , a fitting partner in curiosity and innovation. This rich, reflective, and often surprising journey revealed a man who values simplicity, creativity, and the quiet power of human connection—whether through a lens or over lunch. Lorentz Gullachsen's Gallery Lorentz's website Lorentz on LinkedIn Lorentz on Instagram Lorentz by email Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Rama Kshirsagar, an arts manager and curator and Bharatanatyam Dancer. There’s a certain rhythm to the way Rama Kshirsagar moves through the world — measured, intentional, and steeped in tradition, yet always turning the next corner with the quiet defiance of expectation. Born and brought up in Pune in India, Rama’s story: a dancer who found purpose in planning, an artist who thrives behind the scenes, and a curator who listens before she speaks. Listen to or watch Rama's interview where Mark and Rama created her fantasy cultural year and played Mark's This or That game. At a young age, Rama committed herself to the rigorous discipline of Bharatanatyam, enrolling at the esteemed Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai  in 2015. For six years, she immersed herself in the slow burn of Indian classical dance — its philosophies, its silences, and its strength — earning both a Diploma and Post-Diploma in Bharatanatyam by 2021. But somewhere between the nattuvangam beats and temple performances, Rama noticed something else calling to her, the orchestration behind the art, the intricate logistics and silent negotiations that allow culture to live and breathe. While others prepared to climb the stage, she found herself gravitating toward the wings. This quiet shift led her to a marketing internship at Shreya Nagarajan Singh Arts Development Consultancy  in 2021. What began as a learning curve quickly evolved into a launch pad. By late 2022, she had taken on the role of Programme Coordinator , overseeing artist relations, developing strategic materials, and sharpening her ability to speak both the language of tradition and the dialects of modern project management. In parallel with her on-the-ground experience in Chennai, Rama sought to deepen her understanding of organisational frameworks. She enrolled at Fergusson College in 2023 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management , refining her analytical edge while still keeping a foot in the world of live performance. By 2023, she stepped fully into the freelance arena. At Kalasadhak, and later as an independent Arts Manager , she curated and co-piloted a variety of projects, balancing strategic planning, cultural communications, and event execution across Pune and beyond. Whether managing a multidisciplinary showcase or steering a grassroots collaboration, Rama has built a reputation for operating where instinct meets intent. Fluent in both English and Hindi, Rama isn’t just bilingual, she’s bicultural in her approach, bridging institutional legacies with contemporary sensibilities. Her work is not loud, but it resonates. Not grandiose, but deliberate. She curates with care, choreographs logistics with grace, and navigates the often murky world of cultural management with a rare, unassuming clarity. You may find her deep in planning the next arts gathering or sitting cross-legged at a rehearsal, eyes closed, listening for what others miss. She doesn't just support art, she builds the scaffolding that allows it to stand. Rama Kshirsagar's Fantasy Cultural Year In the interview above Mark created Rama's Fantasy Cultural Year from the answers to a few questions. There are no wrong answers ;-) Armed with a magic wand, a time machine, and a Star Trek transporter, their conversation was filled with humour, anecdotes, and playful exchanges. Here is a summary: Mark and Rama bonded over their shared love of a dirty mojito . Rama shared her passion for Indian classical music  and Western classical music , especially Mozart . Rama wanted to start a research project on musical fusion  in Sri Lanka, known for preserving ancient art forms. Mark proposed that a wealthy Indian family foundation sponsor Rama for a year-long global research tour . The offer included: a book deal, a Netflix documentary, a TED Talk and a global university lecture tour.Rama agreed and chose to begin the project in Sri Lanka . Mark challenged her to only listen to one type of music for the year —she chose Mozart. Dream Dance Performance & Dinner Rama’s ideal performance would be “The Dying Swan” solo ballet  at the Royal Opera House, London . Post-performance dinner: Japanese cuisine . Virtual Travel Adventures Birmingham, UK : Rama was interested in watching a rugby match . Rome, Italy : Mark highlighted the city’s walkability  and new art gallery . Exploring Art Through VR Rama wanted to explore Rabindranath Tagore’s artwork using a VR headset. Though Tagore is best known as a poet, Rama admired his visual art and his founding of Shanti Niketan art school . Global Cultural Tour Plans Next stop: Moscow . Planned cultural experiences included: A pop/rock concert A theatre play A Broadway musical An opera  (Mark suggested Tosca ) A cinema screening  (they chose a 1950s/60s French black and white film ) Rama also wanted to explore traditional Indian theatre . They also planned a visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia . Lunch With Ratan Tata Rama imagined a lunch with Ratan Tata , whom she admired for: Philanthropy Innovation Belief in the younger generation After lunch, she was ready to launch her TED Talk and lecture tour  on hybrid music traditions . The foundation lifted her Mozart-only restriction— she looked forward to listening to Bollywood music again . Rama's LinkedIn Rama's Email Rama on YouTube Rama's Instagram Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Asa Leininger, an actor, writer, and teacher for theatre, language and history . Some lives take the shape of a straight line, predictable as graph paper. Asa Leininger’s life , on the other hand, is an overlap of callings ... actor, educator, writer, researcher, interpreter, all inked with a ferocity for truth and self-discovery. Listen to or watch Asa's interview where we created his fantasy cultural year. Asa graduated from Missouri State University with a Magna Cum Laude in theatre and history, both degrees in tow, not as trophies, but as tools. He does not believe in idle knowledge. For him, every gesture on stage and every line of text is an excavation site for empathy, ethics, and dialogue. The Actor as Alchemist Asa's theatrical journey spans more than a decade and over 30 productions, musicals, operas, cabarets, and straight plays alike. A creature of both chorus and soliloquy, he has sung, danced, and acted on regional stages and screen. Rooted in Stanislavski's realism and trained in Linklater voice and movement techniques, Asa delivers performances not for ovation, but for revelation. At Springfield Little Theatre, his work earned multiple performance awards, not for playing to the crowd, but for confronting them. Whether embodying Joe Mitchell in “Waiting for Lefty” or Achilles in “An Iliad,” he wields brutal honesty like a scalpel. The Writer as Archaeologist Asa writes as he acts, unsparingly. His published poetry and award-winning short fiction walk a tightrope between lyricism and bleak introspection. His dramatic work has graced fringe festivals; his research in medieval socio-political upheaval has earned academic accolades. From exploring PTSD to tracing the theological underpinnings of Baltic economic structures, his writing mines human fallibility for rare minerals of meaning. The Educator as Provocateur Teaching, for Asa, is less about instruction and more about ignition. In his five years across classrooms, camps, and studios, he has taught dance, dialects, history, and Hamlet, sometimes all at once. His curriculum favours Cooperative and Active Learning, empowering students to build with their bodies as much as their minds. Wherever he is, he engineers safe spaces that demand emotional and intellectual risk. He doesn't ask for students to be "better"; he asks them to be braver. The Citizen of Elsewhere From the rehearsal room to rural Dominican villages, Asa has refused to limit art to stages. As a Peace Corps volunteer, he designed youth programmes to foster employability and health literacy through theatre and communication. With fluency in intercultural dialogue and behavioural psychology (including work as a Registered Behaviour Technician), he builds more than communities, he builds bridges. At COSI’s Titanic exhibit, he became history in motion; as a murder mystery actor, he let improvisation reveal social truth with a smirk. Crafted, Not Manufactured Asa doesn’t just perform art he constructs it. He is a seasoned stage carpenter, costume librarian, and production problem-solver. He has been a house manager, a camp inclusion specialist, and a language assistant in Catalonia. His toolkit is literal and metaphorical: power drills and Linklater warm-ups, behavioural data charts and Shakespeare monologues. Whether building a set or a syllabus, his fingerprint is unmistakable ... curious, unafraid, and unsatisfied with surface answers.  "…in its sacred profanity..." Asa once wrote, "What I love most about the theatre is that, in its sacred profanity, it allows for the profoundly truthful and present expression of that which is so often labeled as inexplicable." That sentence encapsulates the through-line of his career: to take what society renders unspeakable and give it breath, body, and sound. Asa Leininger's Fantasy Cultural Year In the interview above Mark created Asa's Fantasy Cultural Year from the answers to a few questions. There are no wrong answers ;-) Armed with a magic wand, a time machine, and a Star Trek transporter, their conversation was filled with humour, anecdotes, and playful exchanges. Here is a summary: Asa's fantasy cultural year began outside his favourite building, Queen Mary's Hospital in Wandsworth, and its nostalgic value due to Asa's time studying abroad in Roehampton. Mark and Asa then imagined a scenario where Asa was enjoying a drink at a cafe across the road from the hospital. Asa chose an espresso, and a book, which turned out to be the complete works of William Shakespeare. In a hypothetical scenario, Asa was taken on a year-long global theatre research tour by a factitious wealthy Surrey-based family foundation. The foundation offered a book deal, a Ted Talk, a global university lecture tour, and a TV series in exchange for exploring the comparative importance of theatre in different countries. Asa agreed to start the tour in Athens , the birthplace of theatre, and when challenged to, chose to limit his musical intake to classical music for the duration of the trip. Upon arrival in Athens, Asa was greeted by theatre enthusiasts who took him to a dance performance and dinner . In Athens, Asa would try local Greek cuisine like a gyros. In Rome, Asa expresses interest in watching a Victorian-style martial art that combines jujitsu, boxing, tai chi, and cane fighting. In Tokyo, Asa would explore the artwork of Edvard Munch using a VR headset that allows viewers to step into famous paintings. His evenings would be rich with experiences: attending Gustav Mahler's first performance of one of his symphonies with the New York Philharmonic in 1907 or 1909 watching the first performance of Shakespeare's King Lear at the Globe Theatre experiencing the original 1957 Broadway production of West Side Story at the Winter Garden Theatre watching the Green Knight, a David Lowry film from 2019 Mark invited Asa to a leisurely two-hour lunch in York and asked who Asa would like to invite as a guest, living or not, famous or otherwise. Asa considers several options, including Shakespeare, Richard Burbage, Peter Brook, and a friend named Emma, but ultimately chooses Shakespeare. Mark then asks who Asa thought Shakespeare would invite in this place, and Asa suggests the Roman poet Seneca, who was a contemporary of Emperor Nero. Asa's LinkedIn Asa's website Asa's Email Asa on Backstage Follow Asa on Facebook Asa on New Play Exchange Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Ella Schwarz, a transformative creative coach for women making the next big move. Watch Ella's interview above Ella Schwarz is here to “empower” you in a gentler deeper way — the sort that stirs a question in your chest before you even know how to answer it. She meets women at the cusp of burnout, confusion or change — and helps them not just to pivot, but to reframe the entire game. It’s coaching, yes, but also unravelling, rebuilding, and very often, tapping — literally — into the body’s wisdom through EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). Listen or watch Ella's interview where she had her fantasy cultural year created and played The This or That game. She’s not your usual coach. But then, nothing about her path has been usual. Before her transformation services Coffee With Ella , Ella was leading a 70-strong team as CEO of Total Insight Theatre . There, she didn’t just lead a charity; she made space for young people navigating mental health, unemployment, low confidence and low visibility. She knew this wasn’t abstract. It was lived — in her, around her, through every project she oversaw, and every outcome she was determined to improve. Her route here wove through education and activism — always underpinned by a sense of justice and an insistence on telling the whole story, not just the headline. She holds a Distinction-level Master’s in Migration and Diaspora Studies from SOAS, alongside a BA in Development Studies and Law. These weren’t just academic pursuits — they were fuel for her early work as a speaker, panellist and provocateur of thought, from TEDxCoventGardenWomen to Berlin’s HAU Theatre. Ella has been a project manager, tutor, strategist and storyteller. She’s delivered keynotes to Model UN delegates and taught undergrads how to unpick colonial legacies in the law. But in the background, something quieter was stirring: a call away from organisational leadership and toward one-on-one depth work. It wasn’t a pivot. It was an alignment. That realignment became Coffee With Ella  — where there’s no need to hustle your way into healing. Her coaching is as likely to take place over a cappuccino as it is on a Zoom call. She helps women who are tired of the cycle — the ones who feel successful but not sustained, fulfilled but flattened. Together, they craft their next big move — soulfully and strategically. Armed with an Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching from Animas, a Senior Practitioner accreditation from EMCC Global, and an EFT Master Practitioner certification, Ella’s approach is both credentialed and deeply human. She meets indecision not with pushy productivity hacks, but with stillness, strategy and tapping — the kind that grounds women back into themselves. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or emotionally stuck, EFT tapping could be the tool that gently shifts everything — and Ella Schwarz is the guide you’ve been looking for. EFT is a science-backed method that involves tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while voicing your thoughts and emotions. This simple yet powerful process helps calm the amygdala — the part of your brain that triggers the stress response — reducing cortisol levels and allowing you to release deeply held emotional tension. Research has shown that EFT can significantly reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and even ease physical symptoms connected to stress. With Ella’s warm, intuitive approach and certified expertise, you’ll be supported in rewiring old patterns and reconnecting with clarity and calm. If your nervous system is begging for a reset, this is your invitation to reach out — and let Ella help you create space for the version of you that’s ready to emerge. Because Ella’s philosophy is clear: life isn’t meant to be squeezed around work. It’s meant to be lived . And she’s living proof that doing things differently isn’t just an option. Sometimes, it’s the only way. Ella Schwarz' Fantasy Cultural Year In the interview above Mark created Ella's Fantasy Cultural Year from the answers to a few questions. There are no wrong answers ;-) Their conversation was filled with humour, anecdotes, and playful exchanges. Here is a summary: Ella's fantasy cultural year began outside her favourite building, the SOAS library in London, with her preferred drink, an Aperol Spritz in one hand and her favourite book Candice Brathwaite's "Manifesto" or Lola Akinmade's "In Every Mirror She's Black" in her other hand. In a hypothetical scenario, Ella is commissioned to travel around the world, interviewing pioneers in life designed for women. The project is well-paid, includes a Ted Talk, a TV series, a book deal, and a global university lecture tour upon return. The journey began in Barbados , a place Ella chose for the sunny weather. Upon arrival, she was greeted by a group of young people who took her to a house overlooking Crane Bay. They planned to attend a dance performance and dinner. Ella expressed her desire to watch a Carnival performance , which they agreed to attend. For dinner, Ella suggested a fish and cheese sandwich, Oyston's, an Italian restaurant called Boozo and a fish restaurant in Saint Lawrence Gap. Her evenings would be rich with experiences: participating in the High Rocks competition, a challenging event that combines running and workout stations exploring a new digitally enhanced art gallery in Nairobi of Frida Kahlo's work experiencing a Beyonce's concert watching a modern interpretation of "4 colored girls," the musical seeing a modern interpretation of Puccini's "Tosca" for opera night. Ella and Mark discussed their travel experiences and potential future destinations. They considered visiting Bali, with Ella expressing a desire to go there after meeting people who had lived or worked there. They also discussed the idea of having a leisurely lunch with Maya Angelou, who Ella admires for her powerful poem "Still I Rise." Mark suggested that Maya would invite Florence Nightingale to their hypothetical lunch meeting. A perfect cultural journey deserves a perfect closing, and for Ella, that came with a strong breakfast, a hike in the Peak District, a roast lunch, and an evening of comedy. Ella's LinkedIn Ella's website Ella's Email Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business b joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Caroline Amoros, a trailblazer in public art and transdisciplinary performance. Watch to discover Caroline's fantasy cultural year. Caroline Amoros is a groundbreaking artist known for her transformative use of public spaces to create cross-cultural connections through performance. In our interview above, I created Caroline's fantasy cultural year. Her transdisciplinary work blends stagecraft, visual art, and poetic inquiry, moving fluidly between theatres, art centres, festivals, and natural settings. Caroline Amoros brings a unique sensitivity to each project, responding to the social and cultural character of the places she inhabits. Her work is collaborative and site-responsive, often created in partnership with local communities and institutions. Influenced by philosopher Anne Dufourmantelle’s concept of gentleness, her art carries a strong poetic and reflective quality. With a background in mime, dance, and avant-garde theatre, Caroline Amoros trained with Morton Potash and Ingeborg Liptay, and contributed to the La Beweging  festival in Antwerp. She studied in London and Winnipeg and holds degrees in Linguistics and Elizabethan Theatre. Her creative process mixes performance, research, and fiction, often in collaboration with artists like choreographer Maria de Corte and writer Rémi Cecchetto. Her long-time partnership with photojournalist Raphaël Helle has led to pioneering character-based performances, such as Miss Yellow  — a fictional persona inserted into real events like the Women’s World March in 2000 — and Kristin , who infiltrated Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, gaining significant media attention. Caroline Amoros and Helle also launched Miss O’Range , a climate-focused project presented in places ranging from Morocco and Iceland to Stockholm and Australia. The project continues to evolve, addressing environmental issues through poetic performance. Her piece Kiki Helsingor , created for Helsingor’s Theatre, explores identity across France, Sweden, and Denmark. With a deep awareness of current events and a constant blending of fiction and reality, Caroline Amoros redefines what performance can be in the public sphere. Caroline Amoros' Fantasy Cultural Year In the interview above Mark created Caroline's Fantasy Cultural Year from the answers to a few simple questions. There are no wrong answers ;-) Their conversation was filled with humour, anecdotes, and playful exchanges. Here is a summary: In a delightful and imaginative interview, artist Caroline Amoros joined Mark Walmsley of the Arts and Culture Network to embark on a fantasy cultural journey — a creative exploration shaped by her passions, inspirations, and vision for the world. The journey began in Reykjavik, Iceland , a place Caroline holds dear for its pristine water, powerful landscapes, and progressive values, particularly around women’s rights. Sitting outside a café with a glass of glacial water and Ashley Dawson’s Extreme Cities  by her side, she reflected on water as both a vital element and a symbol of the future. A fictitious wealthy Icelandic foundation then invited Caroline on a year-long, first-class global adventure to explore performance art around the world. Her first destination? Karachi, Pakistan  — a place she's connected to through ongoing artistic exchanges. There, she imagined discovering emerging performers and attending a contemporary dance performance, perhaps featuring the spirit of French experimental legend Sylvie Guillem, or a multidisciplinary company like Ballet Rambert. Her evenings would be rich with experiences: enjoying local Pakistani cuisine , diving into wild swimming  as her sport of choice, and visiting a digitally immersive art gallery  to step inside the work of an unknown emerging artist from Karachi. She would listen exclusively to traditional world music  for the year — a rich and varied soundtrack to her travels. The fantasy week included stops at a Bjork concert , a contemporary dance performance in New York , and even Hamilton  on Broadway. While she doesn’t enjoy opera in the classical sense, she deeply values street-level performances where artists are close and connected to the audience. The cinema of choice? An Iranian film festival , highlighting women’s stories — a powerful reflection of her interest in overlooked narratives. A perfect cultural journey deserves a perfect closing, and for Caroline, that came with a long, elegant lunch at a French-Pakistani fusion restaurant  in Karachi. Her guests of honour: Ted Kilmer , a cherished figure from her artistic past and former programmer at the World Trade Center, and Jeremy Shine , another respected cultural visionary. If Ted could choose a third guest, Caroline believed he’d invite her — a touching full-circle moment. Caroline’s fantasy year concluded with her documenting her discoveries through a book , TED Talk , TV series , and a global university tour . And yes — she made sure to include time for her own performances  too. As the conversation wrapped up, she revealed her daughter Eleanor would be there at her TED Talk, proud and beaming. It was a beautiful, personal ending to a rich journey of imagination and artistry. Caroline's website Caroline's Email Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business b joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Fiona Pacquette, the music director at East London School of Music. At the helm of the East London School of Music , Fiona Pacquette isn't chasing grandeur but building it quietly, one note at a time. A musician’s musician, Fiona doesn’t merely teach; she cultivates. Her work in piano, theory, and choral conducting isn’t flash and dazzle—it’s persistence, craft, and a deep belief that music, done well, can unlock something vital in the soul. Born the youngest of three, Fiona Dwanell Pacquette’s path began not in concert halls or conservatoires, but in a modest East London home filled with the sound of hymns. Her earliest mentor was her mother, Leone R. Pacquette, whose hands guided Fiona’s over piano keys before formal training ever began. It wasn't until her early teens, at Central Foundation Girls’ School, that piano lessons became structured. But the seeds were already deep in the soil. At fifteen, Fiona was playing cello for the London Schools Concert Orchestra and the London Schools Strings Orchestra—experiences that offered not only the thrill of performance, but a taste of the communal magic only orchestras can conjure. She stayed with both ensembles for two formative years. The real shift came when her father, recognising her growing seriousness, bought her first upright grand piano for her nineteenth birthday. That gesture opened the next chapter: Fiona enrolled at Colchester Institute School of Music, where she studied under Professor William Tamblyn. There, she earned her BA in Music, along with an MA in Liturgical Music and a Special Honours Study in composition. These years were not about accolades but immersion—absorbing technique, theory, and the art of shaping musical ideas into something that speaks. Her teaching journey began the way many meaningful things do—quietly and in community. As an apprentice to Mr John Prince at Hampstead Seventh-day Adventist Church, Fiona began instructing students in piano and music theory. She would go on to manage the John N Prince Music School for over two decades—an experience that became a bedrock for her style: generous, structured, and deeply student-focused. In 2015, she stepped into her current role as Music Director of the East London School of Music (ELSOM) . More than just a post, ELSOM is a platform—Fiona’s way of giving others what she once received. The school, open to learners from age five to adulthood, is rooted in accessibility, high standards, and the simple yet powerful belief that anyone can learn music if given the right tools. Fiona also directs the HACS Philharmonia Chorus and HACS Philharmonic Orchestra, continuing her mission of shaping ensembles where all feel they belong and all are expected to strive. Though accolades and recognition come, they’re not what moves her. What matters is watching someone pick up an instrument for the first time, and then, slowly, begin to speak fluently in the language of music. “I like to give others the same opportunities I had,” she says. “Playing an instrument and writing music are very useful skills to have.” In Fiona Pacquette’s world, music is not a rarefied art—it’s a calling, a craft, and sometimes, simply a hand held out in encouragement. Fiona Pacquette's Fantasy Cultural year + This or That game In the interview above Mark created Fiona's Fantasy Cultural Year from the answers to a few simple questions. There are no wrong answers ;-) Their conversation was filled with humour, anecdotes, and playful challenges. Mark proposed a year-long global tour for Fiona to save organ pipe organs, which would involve a Ted Talk, a TV series, a university lecture tour, and a book deal. Fiona agreed to start the tour in France. Mark also suggested that Fiona's musical listening be limited to Baroque music during the tour. Fiona agreed to this and Mark proposed that she be based in a loft apartment in Paris, with a view of the Sacre Coeur. Fiona chose to enjoy a range of cultural activities in this trip, including: A Diversity dance group performance Michelin-starred plant-based Chinese restaurant The world athletics championships in Paris A Van Gogh digital gallery Beyonce or Bob Marley concert A Shakespeare play, likely "Much Ado About Nothing" Fiona had the opportunity to invite anyone, living or not, to have lunch with her in Paris. She chose Ludovico Einaudi, a contemporary pianist and composer, and suggested that Mark invite Rachmaninoff, a famous composer and pianist. In the This or That game Mark presented Fiona with a series of options and she had to choose one quickly. Options included still or sparkling, mac or pc, car or motorcycle, tea or coffee, library or museum. Fiona on LinkedIn Email Fiona Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Scott Marshall, the creative director of post production technology. Scott Marshall has always lived somewhere between disciplines—equal parts maker, orchestrator, and sonic explorer. He’s not one for fanfare, but if you’ve dipped a toe into immersive art, extended reality, or spatial audio over the past two decades, chances are you’ve crossed paths with his work. Founder of BCVR Immersive and Bamsound Creative Group, Scott’s career reads less like a straight line and more like a constellation of quietly pioneering projects—each one stitched together by his signature ability to translate big, tangled ideas into experiences you can see, hear, and sometimes even walk through. Early Work and Foundation (Pre-2010s) Scott cut his teeth in sound—long before “spatial” became a buzzword—designing for film, television, and interactive media. While others chased trends, he tuned into atmosphere and emotion, honing his instincts across formats and platforms. This period laid the foundation for his ongoing obsession with how sound shapes space—and how space shapes us. The Rise of Bamsound and Cross-Disciplinary Experiments (2010–2015) Through Bamsound Creative Group, Scott began straddling commercial and cultural projects, building a reputation for designing audio that didn’t just accompany visuals but challenged them. His collaborations during this era included fashion films, environmental campaigns, and branded content that resisted neat categorisation. Think less soundtrack, more sound-world. The Launch of BCVR and XR World-Building (2016–2020) Founding BCVR Immersive marked a shift—not away from sound, but towards complete experience architecture. Here, Scott evolved into a creative director who could wrangle teams of developers, designers, and technologists into cohesive vision. Under his leadership, BCVR delivered mixed reality projects for the V&A Museum, Frieze Art Fair, and W Hotels, often merging heritage storytelling with cutting-edge tech. These weren’t just immersive experiences—they were layered, location-aware provocations built with precision. Earth-XR and Sustainability in the Metaverse (2020–Present) Never one to chase digital bells and whistles for their own sake, Scott co-created Earth-XR , an augmented reality platform with an ecological conscience. The project uses AR not for spectacle but for education—helping audiences visualise the invisible effects of climate change and imagine alternatives. This sits neatly within his broader ethos: using tech to deepen understanding, not distract from it. Teaching, Thought Leadership, and Dolby Atmos Work Alongside production, Scott’s taken his ideas into the classroom—mentoring students in spatial audio, immersive sound design, and storytelling for emerging media. His Dolby Atmos work also continues to evolve, often pushing the limits of what spatial mixing can express beyond cinema and into fully interactive environments. Today Now, Scott exists somewhere at the intersection of sound, space, and story. He’s still leading projects, still questioning industry norms, and still most comfortable when he's making the intangible tangible. Scott Marshall's Fantasy Cultural year + This or That game In the interview above Mark created Scott's Fantasy Cultural Year from the answers to a few simple questions. There are no wrong answers ;-) Scott’s journey of cultural discovery began by being transported to the terrace at the Barbican Centre in the City of London, enjoying the brutalist architecture, holding an expresso martini, reading The Hobbit in the sunshine on the terrace by the lake. Their conversation was filled with humour, anecdotes, and playful challenges from Scott’s responses to the questions. His fantasy adventure unfolded when a  wealthy family foundation invited him to embark on a year-long global research project. Specifically to establish where the emerging VR and immersive art is flourishing and where it's not flourishing, and what the emerging trends might be. There's a book deal, a Ted Talk and a global university lecture tour in this for Scott. As well as a series of TV interviews about what Scott found out about immersive art. Scott decided to start in Amsterdam. The catch? He had to limit his musical listening to one very specific genre of music for 12 months, to the exclusion of all else. Scott said it would have to be some sort of minimalist, electronic genre. Scott chose to enjoy a range of cultural activities in this trip, including: A ballet performance An Austrian dish A Formula One event Max Cooper's art exhibition A Crowded House concert West Side Story visit Watching the movie Gravity Post production audio completed by Bamsound Creative Scott had the opportunity to invite anyone, living or not, to have lunch with him in Amsterdam. Scott chose Elon Musk. Putting a spin on it, Mark asked Scott who he thought Elon Musk would invite, with the decision being Donald Trump or Tim Peake. Tongues were firmly in cheek. The music ban was lifted on Scott's plane home. The first artist he chose to listen to was Max Richter. In the This or That game Mark presented Scott with a series of options and Scott had to choose one quickly. Options included still or sparkling, mac or pc, car or motorcycle, tea or coffee, library or museum. Scott on LinkedIn Email Scott Scott's YouTube Scott's Soundlister profile Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Maria Badshamiah (glass whisperer, multiple media artist and tutor) Maria Badshamiah , glass and fine art specialist with a knack for breathing life into the inanimate, has spent years sculpting, designing, and illustrating her way through the creative world. From kiln-formed glassware that found homes in private collections worldwide to bespoke T-shirt designs for brass musician and singer Mr. Eikel Venegas in 2024, Maria’s portfolio is as diverse as it is fascinating. Early beginnings A graduate of Nottingham Trent University with a BA (Hons) in Decorative Arts (2013), Maria honed her craft through copper, embroidery, glass, and screen printing before finding her true calling in kiln-formed glass. Recognition and works Her creations caught the discerning eye of The World of Interiors  magazine in 2017, where her handblown vases were featured among the best in contemporary design. The same year, she earned the title of Winning Artist for Nottingham Industrial Museum, where her industrial-themed designs scooped up the East Midlands' Regional Heritage Award. Her work was so well received that it remained a staple in the museum shop. Beyond her solo work, Maria has exhibited at the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) and Parallax Art Fair in 2013, lending her talent to both the traditional and avant-garde art spaces. She’s also left her mark at The Robin Hood Experience , where her themed cards and fine bone china flew off the shelves due to sheer popularity. A Journey of Creativity, Connection, and Purpose Maria’s artistry is not just about aesthetics—it’s about connection, emotion, and storytelling. Seascape Beauty , an acrylic piece exploring the relationship between humanity and Mother Earth, pairing it with her own handwritten poem to deepen the viewer’s experience. Ever drawn to meaningful collaborations, she has set her sights on crafting mindful pieces inspired by the poetry of the Louis MacNeice Society. A proud neurodiverse creative, Maria channels her experiences into mentoring and tutoring , using art as a medium to inspire and uplift others. She’s not just making art—she’s building bridges, weaving stories, and shaping spaces where creativity and mindfulness meet. Offering services in art tutoring, business designs and commissions for all her work. Maria has dipped her toes into everything from voluntary work at the British Glass Biennale (2012) to hands-on experience at London Glass Blowing (2015). Along the way, she has gathered and shaped her way into becoming an artist who understands both the raw materials and the emotions they can evoke. An adventurer at heart with a sketchbook always within reach, Maria Badshamiah is here to make the world a little more beautiful, one carefully curated, deeply meaningful creation at a time. Maria's Fantasy Cultural Year - studying glassware from around the world The Fantasy Cultural Year is a fun way of getting to know Maria Badshamiah, crafted by Mark Walmsley, centred on curating a theoretical year-long cultural itinerary based on personal experiences and artistic influences. The initiative included structured yet imaginative elements, such as: Selecting favourite books (Maria chose "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" by Susan Jeffers and "The Power of Now" ). Imagining a preferred beverage at a historic café (Maria opted for a dark rum and coke). Choosing a travel destination for cultural immersion (Maria selected Barcelona). Watching a sport match (Maria wanted to watch badminton in Venice). Planning a week of cultural experiences in London, including theatre, opera, concerts, and digital art exhibitions. Designing a fantasy lunch date at a Michelin-starred restaurant, with Maria choosing to invite Dale Chihuly, a famous glass artist. Maria expressed a preference for classical music and suggested a concert featuring harp music. They also discussed attending a play about Victorian female musicians and a musical adaptation of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." For the opera, they chose "Tosca" at the Royal Opera House. For the film, they agreed on "Armageddon" for its soundtrack and love story. Ultimately, this concept was a fusion of reality and imagination, showcasing Maria’s appreciation for arts, culture, and creativity. Maria Badshamiah on LinkedIn Maria Badshamiah on Instagram Email Maria Maria's Website Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com

Develop your own profile, network, career, and/or business by joining us at The Arts and Culture Network as a full member. It's just £10 per month. Cancel any time. Benefits are here . This profile is just one of them. Meet Paul Schafer, the Cultural Futurist, using Word Culture Project for creative change. Paul Schafer has spent nearly six decades swimming in the deep end of the cultural pool, dabbling in just about every role possible—author, educator, administrator, and advisor. Oddly enough, he started out in the world of economics, lecturing on its principles, history, and international development at Dalhousie University and Acadia University. But rather than spending his life debating supply and demand curves, he took a route into culture—a detour that has defined his career and, quite possibly, his destiny. From 1967 to 1970, Paul cut his teeth as Assistant Director of the Ontario Arts Council, helping to shape Canada's arts scene in ways that probably still ripple today. Not content with just that, he rolled up his sleeves and founded the Graduate Programme in Arts Administration at York University (1970-1974), where he no doubt taught students how to make the arts world both profitable and palatable. Later, from 1984 to 1990, he coordinated the Cooperative Programme in Arts Administration and the Cooperative Programme in International Development at the University of Toronto—presumably because running just one programme would have been far too easy. Alongside all this, he spread his wisdom on arts administration and cultural policy across multiple North American universities, contributed to UNESCO projects, and advised Canada’s Department of External Affairs (now Global Affairs Canada) on cultural matters, probably with a polite but firm nudge towards more investment in the arts. In 1989, Paul took matters into his own hands and founded the World Culture Project , convinced that culture and cultures were the keys to human happiness and global sustainability. UNESCO promptly gave it their seal of approval, designating it an official activity of the World Decade for Cultural Development . Ever the prolific thinker, Paul translated his ideas into numerous books, including Culture - Beacon of the Future , The Age of Culture , The Secrets of Culture , The Cultural Personality , The True North: How Canadian Creativity Changed the World , and The World as Culture: Cultivation of the Soul to the Cosmic Whole . (Click on purple links to go to the book on Amazon.) These works tackle the small issue of how culture shapes societies, influences policies, and—if taken seriously—could probably sort out quite a few of the world’s problems. His latest book, The Great Cultural Awakening: Key to an Equitable, Sustainable, and Harmonious Age  (2024), is the pièce de résistance of his decades-long crusade. In it, he lays out a compelling argument that the world must finally stop treating culture as an afterthought and instead embrace it as the driving force of human progress. He advocates a shift from the all-too-familiar economic mindset to a cultural consciousness, where the arts, humanities, and heritage take centre stage in global development. His vision isn’t just for governments and policymakers; he’s calling on individuals, communities, and nations to see culture as the thread that ties everything together—sustainability, equality, and even humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The World Culture Project remains his pride and joy, structured into two components: an international arm tackling global cultural challenges and a Canadian component exploring how these ideas take shape within Canada. Together, they work towards making culture a central, rather than a peripheral, player in world affairs. Paul Schafer has spent a lifetime proving that culture is not just about museums, galleries, or the occasional Shakespearean soliloquy. It is, in fact, the very glue of human existence—the key to making societies thrive, creating a more sustainable future, and, let’s be honest, making life a little more interesting. His work challenges policymakers, academics, and everyday citizens alike to rethink culture’s role in the grand scheme of things—and to finally give it the credit it deserves. A Fantasy Cultural Year: Paul's Dream Artistic Journey In the interview above Mark created Paul's Fantasy Cultural Year from the answers to a few simple questions. There are no wrong answers ;-) Paul’s journey of cultural discovery began by being transported on a sunny afternoon to a cafe near the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, where he enjoyed a Pina Colada with his favourite book, Visions of Culture  by Karl J. Weintraub by his side. Their conversation was filled with humour, anecdotes, and playful challenges, as Mark devised a fantasy cultural year inspired by Paul’s responses to easy questions. His adventure unfolded when a wealthy family foundation in Turkey  invited him to embark on a year-long global research project to create a Global League table of how culture fares in different national economies . The catch? He had to choose a genre of music to listen to for the year. Paul couldn't choose one, narrowing it down to baroque, classical, and flamenco music. Join our Facebook group inspired by Paul's work Her travels took her across continents, with a carefully curated cultural programme: A dance performance by the Whirling Dervishes in Istanbul A Turkish meal A football game and a hockey game in Seville, Spain Exploring Indonesia's culture and heritage Mark and Paul discussed their preferences for works by famous artists and cultural experiences. Paul expressed a preference for Canadian artists, particularly the Group of Seven . Check out this post inspired by Paul's work Paul also expressed his life-long interest in visiting Suzhou in China, which is world famous for its exquisite gardens, which have an interesting connection with cultures in his view. They then discussed their choices for a historic pop or rock concert, a theater play, a Broadway or West End musical, an opera, and a cinema experience. Paul chose a performance of Mahler's 4th Symphony, the Canadian musical Come From Away , a smash hit on Broadway and in Toronto, and his favourite Puccini’s opera La Boheme. Paul on LinkedIn Email Paul World Culture Project website Paul's YouTube Would you like to be interviewed and promoted in this way? This is just one of several benefits of full membership at just £10 per month (€12/$12) and you may cancel any time. Join us here . Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network Join us as a full member for "done for you" profile, network, career, and/or business development support for just £10 per month. Cancel any time. https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join Here are some of our full member testimonials: "Had to write and say a huge thank you for the networking sessions you are running. Met some great people today, thank you so much." "Great speed networking session today - I really enjoyed it and got some really relevant and valuable connections!" "I've just joined!! £10 a month for a 1:1 business growth session, free networking, and access to all the events (on top of everything else!)?! This is INSANE value for money Mark and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to build such a supportive network of likeminded creative professionals." Forthcoming free networking events Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM Chief Culture Vulture Arts & Culture Network www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com