#cmglasgow

[creativemorningsglasgow]

MEET FATIMA UYGUN, OUR JANUARY 2025 SPEAKER

January's global CreativeMornings theme is JOURNEY, chosen by the Muscat chapter in Oman. 

As we travel through life, everyone you meet is at a different point in their own unique journey. Some of us know where we’re going. While other paths are full of twists, turns, and obstacles thrown in our way. The trick is to embrace the detours and delays. Because there are no shortcuts on a journey of self-discovery or creative expression. Just please remember: you are not traveling alone.

When we were thinking about the theme for this month, the journey of the Govanhill Baths comes to mind, which was closed many years ago, almost sold off, but then through remarkable community organising and protest, were saved which began a long journey to creative fundraising and renovation through the development of the Govanhill Baths Community Trust. One of the consistent driving forces behind the efforts is this month's speaker, Fatima Uygun. Being a leading part of the Govanhill Baths story is actually just one feather in Fatima's hat, though. In addition to community activist, Fatima is also a artist, playwright, and cultural worker.

CM Glasgow: What do you think about when you consider this month's theme of JOURNEY?

Fatima: I think life is short, fill it with experiences and memories that help make the world a better place. We are also social beings and our journeys always intersect with others which is when we can make a real impact.

CM: What motivates you day to day?

Fatima: Someone once described me as a, 'obsessive 'lifeaholic'. I'm not sure what that means other than I don't like to sit still very much. Two things motivate me. One is discovering and experiencing new things, learning and being creative. The second is the felief that we are social beings with the power to bring about collective change.

CM: What's a typical day like for you?

Fatima: My days are almost always full, made up of weekday and weekend routines.

During the week I awake, make breakfast and make lunch to take to work. Do a sudoku puzzle or play online chess with coffee. I'm an admin on a number of social media sites so I do some admin for that and do some charity admin. By 9.30am I start work: meetings, funding applications, budgeting, etc. At 5.30pm I'm off for a walk home and then dinner. I have a number of weeknight activities like 5-a-side women's football, political meetings, or something creative like writing night or spend time in studio doing pottery or painting. On Fridays is usually arts night, see a play, music or another cultural event. 

On Saturdays I do gardening--outdoor gardening in spring and summer and indoor gardening year round (I have 84 plants). I spend time in the studio, meet friends, watch football (Celtic and Crystal Palace), and have a movie night. Sundays are for papers, crosswords, housework, a walk in park, and in the evenings Star Trek.

CM: Tunnocks Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers?

Fatima: Caramel wafers, though I don't really have a sweet tooth.

CM: Lastly, if you could describe Glasgow in one word, what would it be?

Fatima: Bruised.

Fatima will be our speaker on Thursday, January 30th at ALT's offices at McLellan Works on Sauciehall Street. Tickets include breakfast and are free but space is limited. Get yours here!

[creativemorningsglasgow]

MEET JEN HOGG, OUR NOVEMBER 2024 SPEAKER

November's global CreativeMornings theme is THREAD. Though we interpret themes in a variety of ways, this month we've gone literal with our speaker Jen Hogg. Jen is a textile toolmaker, sewing and knitting person, and Great British Sewing Bee semifinalist (tickets!)

Jen says, "I've been sewing and knitting for longer than I can remember.  I got to the semi-finals of The Great British Sewing Bee in 2019, and now run my own business, Jenerates, sending unique tools and notions for sewing and yarn crafts all over the world. I've been a litigation solicitor, shop owner, graphic designer, card maker and charity advisor, and now a sewing and knitting person. At CreativeMornings I'll be chatting about being on the Bee, accidentally starting a business and my creative process."

CM Glasgow: What do you think about when you consider this month's theme of THREAD?

Jen: Immediately I think about the wall of threads I have in my sewing room. Very practical!

CM: What motivates you day to day?

JH: The creativity of making my own clothes is my main motivation, that it lets me wear whatever I want. I also enjoy working with waste fabric and factory surplus. My business is entirely based on designing things that I need for myself!

CM: What's a typical day like for you?

JH: My business is full time and then some. Typically I pack orders, walk the dog, spend time on the computer and if I can, in the afternoons I try to do something more creative, that could be content creation for social media, sewing, working on product designs.

CM: Tunnocks Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers?

JH: Caramel wafers. Probably. Though there’s always room for a tea cake too.

CM: Lastly, if you could describe Glasgow in one word, what would it be?

JH: In one word? It has to be Gallus.

Jen will be our speaker on Friday, November 29th at ALT's offices at McLellan Works on Sauciehall Street. Tickets include breakfast and are free but space is limited. Get yours here!

[creativemorningsglasgow]

MEET OUR OCTOBER 2024 SPEAKER: MATT LYGATE of DREAM MACHINE

October's global CreativeMornings theme is VISION and it got us thinking about big visions and what it takes to translate that into reality which led us to Creative Director of the Dream Machine, Matt Lygate, our speaker on Friday, October 25th (tickets!)

Matt says, "I've been a creative entrepreneur, musician, artist, and events and social project manager for over a decade across Glasgow. Years ago, I transformed a derelict building in the Barras into a thriving community hub. Today The Dream Machine and The Space are both growing stronger despite the challenges of Covid. With my roots in DJing, the electronic music scene and the third sector community in Glasgow, I am a pioneer in using music, art and creativity in their truest form as social tools for transformation, integration and actualisation."

Matt is a kindred spirit in making space for community, connection and celebration and was kind enough to answer a few questions...

CM Glasgow: What do you think about when you consider this month's theme of VISION?

Matt: What are creatives and entrepreneurs if not visionaries? Every tribe since the dawn of humanity needed its visionaries, to see our faults, express our pains and guide us to new opportunities. If you are reading this, you are a visionary. Willing to speak your truth and present your solutions. Now more than ever, we need more visionaries and less conformity in a world on fire in desperate need of change.

CM: What motivates you day to day?

ML: Coffee...and my hyperactive ADHD brain that seeks constant stimulation, shiney new projects to start (but never ever finish!), but its super power is its power to manifest even 1% of my crazy dreams into some sort of reality, always to share for the benefit of others, not because I'm a super moral or religious person. Because doing things for others is the greatest reward! If its just for me, who am I going to celebrate with!?

CM: What's a typical day like for you?

ML: No such thing! I live in a van, spread out between 3 countries across the year, almost daily i wake up to new sites and sounds. I abhor structure but equally love it when its imposed on me. So a successful day for me is one where I meditate, do some exercise, eat healthy and sleep well. Everything else called 'work' makes or breaks upon that foundation.

CM: Tunnocks Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers?

ML: We sell a vast variety of delicious vegan chocolates in our Vegan Green (vending) Machine at The Dream Machine where no mothers were forcibly milked to death so we can enjoy a sugary snack. Trust me, vegan chocolates have gotten so good, you can now have you cake and still eat it! #Goveganbeforewedestroytheworld (also the guy who runs Tunnocks is a capitalist, unionist who threatened his workers to vote against Scottish Independence...so aye... 🤣)

CM: Lastly, if you could describe Glasgow in one word, what would it be?

ML: Kind

Matt will be our speaker on Friday, October 25th at Dream Machine. Tickets include breakfast and are free but space is limited. Get yours here!

[creativemorningsglasgow]

MEET THE SPEAKER: ELEANOR STEWART

We are delighted to announce Eleanor Stewart, founder of Clubhouse Animations as our speaker this month.

If you’ve followed her work for as long as we have you’ll know she is a big fan of lovely, bright colours, so we thought she would be perfect to speak on the topic of Vibrant!

Eleanor will talk about her work and share her take on embracing your niche style and the benefit of creating colourful vibrant work that stands out.

About Eleanor and Clubhouse

Eleanor is an award-winning Animation Film Maker and Paper Artist with over 14 years experience working in animation, and specialises in creating playful hand-crafted models and animations out of paper.

She has produced work for a variety of international clients including Dior, the RSPB and the National Galleries of Scotland. Her bespoke paper models and set design have featured in magazines, advertising and window displays. She was a Finalist in the category of 'Best Visual Artist' in the Sunday Herald's Scottish Culture Awards.

Upon graduation, she was awarded the Bram Stoker Medal for most imaginative work in her final year Degree Show at Glasgow School of Art and a D&AD Best New Blood Award in London. Her animations have been screened in the UK and internationally, including performances with live symphony orchestras. 

Each month we like to ask our speakers some questions to get to know them a little better!

CM Glasgow: Vibrant is our theme for May. What does that bring to mind for you?

Eleanor: When I looked up the dictionary definition of Vibrant, it said - full of Energy and life. Immediately that makes me think of animation and I think it is a really great way to talk about animation and the work I love to create.

CM: What’s your motivation? Who inspires you?

ES: I’ll never get bored of watching back an animation I have just created - it still feels like magic. My inspiration comes from pioneer filmmakers such as Lotte Reiniger, Vladislav Starevich and Bagpuss.

CM: What’s a typical day like for you?

ES: Get up and feed my giant rabbit, Paddington. My studio is based in town, so I hop on the train and bribe myself with a croissant to go for a swim before I start work. I will spend the day potentially drawing storyboards, making paper models or animating. Although, like many a creative professional, I also spend an incalculable amount of time sending emails!

CM: Tunnocks Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers?

ES: Tea Cakes all the way, I’ve even made a tiny paper Tunnocks Teacake, such is my love for them!

CM: Lastly, if you could describe Glasgow in one word, what would it be?

ES: Braw

Thank you Eleanor!

Follow Clubhouse’s adventures on Instagram, X and Facebook.

[creativemorningsglasgow]

THANK YOU SOPHIE!

If you’ve been to any of our CreativeMornings Glasgow events over the last four years, chances are you’ve had a chance to meet our lovely chapter-founding host, Sophie Amono. In fact, if you’re like me, you can absolutely hear the sound of Sophie’s infectious laugh in your head when you see this picture!

Well after four years leading the chapter, Sophie is transitioning from lead host to contributing member of the team. We thought it would be a good time ask Sophie a little about what inspired her to start the chapter, what she’s learned along the way, and any advice she’s willing to share.

What's special about CM?

For me it's been all of the fantastic people I've been able to meet through something as coming together each month for breakfast and chats. Two of my favourite things in life are good food and good chat, add to this my love for all things creativity and it's just a special combo that has meant so much to me over the last six years.

What inspired you to start the chapter?

I think it was a feeling of wanting to find my place in a community that I had no part in yet. Moving from the place I'd call home for most of my life, felt daunting and exciting in equal measures. My first experiences of Glasgow's creative community was a sense of belonging and feeling welcomed -- so it made sense to bring Creative Mornings to Glasgow.

What are some of the highlights from your time hosting?

Oh wow, this is a tough one but it has to be the feeling when you see everyone walk through the door in the morning and the smile you get back when the words 'happy Friday' are shared. There's always this sense of will people turn up and I've hosted everything from a room of ten to a room of over 50. Over the years we've been so lucky to work with some amazing local business, be invited into spaces all over Glasgow and even as far as Paisley, have musicians from South Africa, take place in a sharing meal by Soul Food Sisters, and venture to the Southside, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Women's Library, Whisky Bond, Barras, The Lighthouse, CitizenM, Spaces, and many other amazing community spaces. It will forever be a part of my story of making a new life for myself in Scotland and I'm eternally grateful to every single person I've met along the way as Host.

What advice do you want to share?

Keep having fun and remember to be kind! Life can be hard at the best of times and often a little lighthearted fun and kindness can go a long way. Thank you to the wonderful team of volunteers and creatives over the year who have made it all possible.

Fancy volunteering with CreativeMornings Glasgow yourself?

Drop us a line! glasgow at creativemornings.com

[creativemorningsglasgow]

Meet the Speaker: Veronique AA Lapeyre

We’re two months into our comeback and man it’s been good to be back. Our March event was a nice ease in but we’re ready to keep that momentum going.

As April’s theme of ‘Inclusive’ comes our way we’re super chuffed to welcome Veronique AA Lapeyre as our speaker.

Founder of Zanana Project, a new initiative to amplify and support Creatives of Colour in Scotland. She also has her own multidisciplinary creative practice that explores transculturalism and colour/pattern through drawing, photography, graphic design and other mediums. 

Ahead of our creative morning at CitizenM we sit down and fire five hot questions Veronique’s way.

1. What's one thing that people wouldn't guess about you?

My and my whole family, including my wee nephews are into bird watching. I’m pretty psyched there's a couple of bull finches living in the close behind my flat.

2. When you think of the theme inclusive what's one thing that jumps to mind?

Just get on with it already. We've spent years having the same circular conversations. Now we just need to crack on and do the valuable work.

3. We wanna know a little bit about what you creative day looks like and how do you flex those creative muscles outside work.

I think a good creative day starts with drinking too much coffee (just me?). Then head down, earphones blasting electro music and a great day working at Craft Scotland; where I’m usually working on two to three marketing projects split into decent sized chunks. My creative work here includes a variety of fun tasks like copywriting, graphic design, brainstorming and everything between.

4. Tunnocks Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers?

Both mate, always!

5. If you could describe Glasgow in one word what would it be?

Vibes.

NIce, real nice.

Grab your tickets to hear from Veronique this Friday 26th April at CitizenM.

[creativemorningsglasgow]

Meet the Speaker: Alan Mahon, Founder of Brewgooder

We’re back baby, baby! And what a comeback we’ve got lined up for you. We’ve missed all your lovely faces and we’re surfing into the March theme of ‘Water’ with a speaker whose take on beer combines some pretty good ethics with a desire to change the world one drop of beer at a time.

So strap into your seats as Alan Mahon of Brewgooder sits down in the CreativeMornings hot seat to take us on a ride of all things Brewgooder and Glasgow.

1. Tunnock Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers

Wafers all the way... could tear through a pack in seconds.

2. What's your first memory of water?

Quite a scary one... I was in Saint Stephen's Green Park in Dublin with my Mum and I was feeding the ducks at the pond. My Batman toy feel in the water and I reached out to get it and plonked straight in. Luckily someone was on hand to pull me out... Mum had to get me a new set of clothes. Quite the event.

3. Where do you see Brewgooder in five years?

Hopefully having helped 1 million people get access to clean drinking water, and an internationally loved beer brand to boot.

4. If you could describe Glasgow in one word what would it be?

wet-but-beaut

5. What did you want to be when you were 10? And what would 10 year old Alan think of Brewgooder?

I wanted to play to play for Arsenal. I am sure he would love it... probably wouldn't be too up on the beer side of things.

Thanks for taking to the hot seat Alan and if this quick fire round has wet your appetite for the Brewgooder story make sure you save the morning of Friday 29th January for our comeback event.