The Art of Showing Up
Unlocking Creative Marketing:
As a creative, artist, or maker, sharing your work is just as important as creating it. Building a strong portfolio is how you present your story, showcase your skills, and connect with the people who will value your creativity. But marketing yourself and your work can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to stay authentic and true to your vision.
Marketing for Creatives Made Simple
Marketing is not about selling something you don’t believe in. At its heart, marketing is about connection. Think of it like asking someone on a date. Your introduction is your first impression. Your branding is what makes you memorable. And the experience you create is what keeps people engaged.
For artists and makers, this means sharing your process, your ideas, and the story behind each project. It’s about creating content that communicates who you are, visually telling your story, and inviting your audience to understand and connect with your work. A portfolio is more than a collection of finished pieces—it’s a reflection of your creative journey and the story you want others to experience.
Canva and Visual Storytelling
Creating content that looks professional doesn’t have to be complicated. Tools like Canva make it easy to design visuals that align with your brand and showcase your work effectively. Even if you’re new to design, Canva’s courses and resources can help you create polished content for your portfolio, social media, and marketing materials.
By learning to use Canva effectively, you can focus on sharing your work in a way that communicates your creative story and resonates with your audience. Every post, image, or piece of content becomes part of your larger portfolio narrative.
The Art of Showing Up Workshop
At Inspiring Design, we understand the challenges creatives face when it comes to marketing and sharing their work. That’s why we created The Art of Showing Up. This workshop is designed to help you create original, visually compelling content that tells your story, supports your portfolio, and can be used to grow your career or small business.
What You Will Learn
Branding Fundamentals: Understand the visual elements of your brand and how to communicate them clearly in your portfolio.
Canva Mastery: Design cohesive, polished marketing materials that support your creative story.
Social Media Strategy: Develop a content plan that aligns with your portfolio and engages your audience.
Authentic Storytelling: Craft narratives that make your portfolio and work understandable, relatable, and memorable.
Who This Workshop Is For
Artists and makers building a cohesive portfolio and visual story
Small business owners looking to present their brand and work authentically
Freelancers aiming to showcase their creative process and projects
Startups wanting a strategic approach to visual storytelling and marketing
Each in-studio session is limited to five participants to ensure personal attention and a collaborative environment.
Studio Experience: Your Creative Space
The in-studio workshops take place in our Inspiring Design Studio, a creative sanctuary in the historic Steward Stand at the Waikouaiti Racecourse. The studio is designed to inspire making, creating, and sharing your work visually. Professional lighting, curated props, and versatile backdrops are available to help your projects come to life. Workshops include 1:1 mentoring, access to the studio, course materials, and lunch.
If you can’t join us in the studio, that’s okay. The full Art of Showing Up course content is available online all year round for $99. The online course is regularly updated so you can continue developing your skills, building your portfolio, and creating content on your own schedule.
In-studio workshops happen every month and are priced at $399 + GST. This includes full access to online course materials, use of the studio and props, 1:1 mentoring, and a collaborative environment with five other creatives.
Show Up, Create, Share
If you are ready to take control of your marketing, showcase your work authentically, and build a portfolio that tells your story visually, The Art of Showing Up is the workshop for you. You will leave with the skills, confidence, and space to create content that represents your creative journey and resonates with the people you want to reach.
Marketing and portfolio building are not just about promotion—they are about showing up consistently, sharing your creativity, and creating work that communicates who you are. With The Art of Showing Up, you have the tools, guidance, and space to make that happen—whether online or in-studio.
For more information and to register, visit our workshop page.
