GEIFN: CoPP | S2b | RECAPPING | What A Year

[Edited extract from public address]

We have had such a busy busy year! Please take a look at what we have achieved.

159 newly arrived migrants, refugees & people seeking asylum are on pathways to employment through our support programs.

90 migrant & local artists were supported through our gallery and art programs.

163 designers are selling their unique creations through Space2b’s retail outlet.

Around 88 are from culturally diverse backgrounds.

46 hard working volunteers make Space2b the place to be! Our volunteers worked an estimated 2,708 hours this year with an in-kind contribution of $127,106!

Most importantly we have been around for 11 years and we wouldn't be her without your support. Thank you!

REPORTING | The Space2B Experience

This year 61 people were on pathways to employment with the The Space2b Experience which includes valuable business mentoring and learning on the job. This program is as unique as the wonderful people we work with, designed around their needs and dreams.

The program is supported by a 3 year grant ‘Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration’ from the Commonwealth (Department of Home Affairs)

WELCOMING | New Mural by Anis To Visitors Of Space2B

Renowned Chilean muralist Anis with the help of ten local artists, painted a large floor mural outside the front of Space2b, funded by the Chilean government. The 'Bird of Diaspora' represents people who have flown from their homeland. Each square surrounding the mural represents something that the artists miss from their homeland.

Come and check it out!

SHOWING | Art Galore

Space2b's ArtSpace has been booked out with wonderful exhibitions every month.

Traditionally the months of March and June are when we exclusively support newly arrived emerging artists to exhibit and sell their art.

Our annual Affordable Art Show is on NOW (until end of January) and is funded by our wonderful sponsors, Community Bank Windsor.

Why not exhibit with us?

COLLABORATING | Back To School

Drum Chums and Art with Heart

In 2024, our partnership with St Kilda Primary continued to thrive.

Grade 3 students loved African drumming workshops with Ghanaian performer Appiah Annan, shining at Festival Africa. In Term 2, artist Karen Hopkins and Rahila Zeeshan led a Grade 5/6 art residency exploring gratitude, connection, and creativity.

Their amazing work featured in the August Her Story Art Exhibition.

CONNECTING | With StoryTime

In partnership with Port Phillip, we and Kadra, Nejat, Siriu and Rohini have 3 years of Preschool Storytime in Hindi, Arabic, Mandarin and Arabic!

These sessions are designed to help little ones connect with their culture and language, while parents practice English and learn about council support services. With 20 fun-filled sessions each year, there’s plenty of laughter, songs, and learning to enjoy!

Jump for joy – It's Storytime!

LOVING | To Create

Thanks to a 3-year funding from Port Phillip Council we’ve expanded our arts programs, building our capacity to inspire creativity. We’ve hosted amazing workshops, from Henna art to Sashiko Japanese visible mending. Mentor Maoko now leads a fortnightly Make and Mend workshop, giving old garments a second life, transforming them into unique, wearable works of art – helping the planet in the process!

Come join us on Thursdays and get creative!

MENTORING | Street Art with Heesco

Whenever we ask Heesco for help – he just says 'YES'.

We thank Heesco and all the other really generous people that help us out - that make us so happy!

The image here is Heesco sharing his skills with the budding new artist, Atem.

Walk around Space2b and see all the new installations!

CELEBRATING | Astral African Market

Together with our friends Astral African Markets, we enjoyed a vibrant day filled with music, food, arts, and crafts from across Africa.

This initiative was created to support women of color creative entrepreneurs.

"a space to gather, shop, dance, and celebrate Black community while sharing rich culture with everyone." – Kemi, founder Astral African Markets

We sure did have some fun!

Look out for our next Mozambique Festival coming in March 2025!

SHARING | Stories

Wyndham Karen Creatives

This year, we had the pleasure of working with 15 talented Wyndham Karen and Karenni creatives. With support from Wyndham Park Community Centre and some amazing mentors, the group turned their skills into fantastic products now available in the Space2b shop.

They’ve been such a hit – we’ve already had to restock!

Come on in and see for yourself!

CHARTING | Small Business Mentoring Program

Kedja Yosuf, Founder of Uniq Hijab was one of the six women to join the Small Business Mentoring Program delivered in partnership with Liliana from Casa Bonita. Kedja launched her business at a special showcase and now sells her beautiful handmade scarves in space2b and other outlets.

‘My wish is to build a business selling my beautiful products from Ethiopia to sell to Australians’ – Kedja, founder Uniq Hijab

ENGAGING | Ukranian Forest Adventures with Anna Mykhalchuk!

Anna, a talented Ukrainian artist, brought the magic of Samchykivka – traditional folk art – to life with a group exhibition and a hands-on workshop creating beautiful folk motifs in true Ukrainian style.

Samchykivka is part of Ukraine's intangible cultural heritage, and every piece Anna creates is filled with love, passion, and positivity.

REFERRING | Local Talent

Meet Tsedal, a proud St Kilda local who's been with us for six months!

In this time, she’s grown in confidence, mastering sales, merchandising, and chatting with customers (while improving her English too!). With amazing initiative, she and her buddy Marion have created unique Ethiopian liquid soap to be launched next year.

Tsedal is now job hunting—need a fantastic worker? Email us!

THANKING | Our In House Sewing Team

Ada and Elene, our wonderful sweamstresses

TASTING | Flavours Of Syria

Feast For A Friend. At the beginning of the year we ran two dinners in our art laneway to support Nayran and her family after a terrible home invasion. The dinners sold out and we managed to raise over $9,000 in support. Thanks To All Who Came!

Flavours of Syria Opening Hours: Thursday-Saturday 10-2 pm

Enjoy a Syrian Platter & say hello!

THANKING | You

We could not have done it without all our supporters, sponsor and donors.

A huge shout out to you all! Together we make a difference!

Space2b acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and the diverse nature of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. We pay respect to the Elders, past, present and future, and celebrate their stories, culture and traditions.

NAVIGATION