Creative Groups Sydney

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

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.

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.

Crafty Creations Group

**Your monthly dose of creativity & community.** Welcome to the Beverly Hills Craft-ernoon! Got a knitting project you can’t seem to finish? Eager to meet other creative people in your corner of Sydney? Or just looking for a welcoming space to relax and make something with your hands? Our community Craft-ernoon is for you. Think of it as a creative hub for everyone—from kids discovering the joy of glitter glue to seniors sharing a lifetime of skills. It’s a relaxed, unstructured afternoon to connect with neighbours of all ages. **What to bring:** * **Your current project:** Whether it’s crochet, sketching, or scrapbooking, bring it along! * **Just yourself!** If you don’t have a project, don't worry. We’d love your help knitting or sewing a "Trauma Teddy" to comfort someone in need. All materials are provided. * **The kids!** We’ll have a station with simpler crafts ready for little hands. **All the nitty-gritty:** * **When:** 2pm on the first Saturday of every month * **Where:** Beverly Hills Baptist Church, 9 Warrawee Place, Beverly Hills (sadly, the one near Hurstville, not LA!). We're in the main hall at the back of the building. * **Cost:** Free! Seriously. We’re happy to provide the space and materials. * **Parking:** Warrawee Place can be tight, so try Tooronga Terrace or Ponyara Road for more spots. **A note from our hosts** Beverly Hills Baptist Church is delighted to host this community gathering. Our goal is simple: to provide a warm, welcoming space for people to connect and create. There are no strings attached, no religious program—just good company and craft. Everyone is welcome, exactly as you are. **Questions or ideas? Get in touch!** Alison: 0414 810 137 \| [alisonleader@gmail.com](https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=mailto%3Aalisonleader%40gmail.com) [bhb.org.au](https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbhb.org.au%2F)

Online Photography - The letter E

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)

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. ✨

$15✨🎨"Walk + Friendship + Culture”: 8 Art Galleries in Charming Surry Hills🤝🚶

**NOTE:** This event is posted on multiple Meetup groups. **ABOUT:** Enjoy a walk around the art galleries of beautiful Surry Hills on Saturday, July 25. Come along whatever your professional background! Tech, finance, law, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, retail, fashion - all welcome, whether you've engaged with art before or not. Feel at home. This informative tour will introduce you to Australian artists working in various mediums. Listen to interesting stories in a diverse set of art galleries – from a renowned global brand to an artist-led local community initiative. Exchange names and numbers as you explore one art space after another, make new friends, and have fun! **MEETING TIME:** 11:15 – 11:25 AM. **MEETING POINT:** Outside the building “300 Elizabeth Street”, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 (near Central station). **START AND PROGRAMME:** We will begin at 11:25 AM, spending 10-15 minutes per gallery. Break midway for those who want to grab drinks or snacks. **END:** We will end the walk by 2:30 PM near a bus stop. You can also walk back to Central station. **PRICE OF TOUR:** Please pay $15 by cash on arrival. Or you could transfer the amount to: Account Name: Elucidaction Pty Ltd St. George Bank Account Number: 433 012 445, BSB: 112-879 Please send a copy when you make the payment. **IMPORTANT:** * Please check transport in advance, and make sure you sleep well the night before so you can reach the meeting point on time. * Remember to have a good breakfast before arriving which can keep you going during the early afternoon. * Please message if you are running late. * Stay with the group at all times. You are expected to be "present" and socialise with other attendees - please do not talk on the phone to somebody else unless it is urgent. * Please inform the organiser if you want to leave before the end of the walk. * Wear comfortable shoes, a hat or cap, sun protection. Please bring a water bottle and an umbrella. * No additional compulsory costs beyond $15. Drinks and snacks are optional – you may also bring your own. * Be careful when you explore art galleries. Do not touch surfaces of artworks. * Photos of the group will be clicked and may be posted on Meetup and the organiser’s social media platforms. Attendees who do not wish to be photographed must inform the organiser before the tour begins. * Please update your registration if you are unable to make it to the event. **CONTACT:** Call, text or WhatsApp Tulika at 0402 820 272 if you have any questions. Having lived across India, Thailand, the UK, Canada and Australia, Tulika is an Art and Culture Consultant and founder of the art publication + art consultancy: [https://onartandaesthetics.com/.](https://onartandaesthetics.com/) You can also connect with her on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/tulikabahadur/.](https://www.instagram.com/tulikabahadur/) Email: tulikabahadur[at]gmail[dot]com. For updates on Sydney events, you are welcome to join the WhatsApp group "Sydney Art & Culture Events & Tours": [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BttDzLCa2TTFa2te1Q1FkZ?mode=hqrt1.](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BttDzLCa2TTFa2te1Q1FkZ?mode=hqrt1.)

Sunset at La Perouse

July Meetup for the Sydney Nature Journal Club

Come along to our **July meetup for the Sydney Nature Journal Club**. National Tree Day is 26 July. We will explore this theme in the Botanical Gardens. This is a chance to connect, spend some time in nature and journal together. I will offer some guidance to start. After we can share journal pages and ideas. **What to bring:** Bring along sketchbooks/paper and your favourite drawing materials (pens, pencils, watercolour, acrylic, anything you have). I will have extra materials on the day if you want to explore other mediums. \*\*Where:\*\* Botanical Gardens **Cost:** Suggested donation is $10 annual fee, $5 casual fee. (This helps cover Meetup fees). DISCLAIMER.
Please note that Katy as volunteer organiser of activities for Sydney Nature Journal Club is NOT responsible for the health or safety of members (or their guests) and therefore will not accept any liability for accidents or injuries or losses that may occur during Meetup events at any location. By attending a Sydney Nature Journal Club event members acknowledge that you accept ALL of the above. I look forward to seeing you there.