Art&Craft Day at ARTel!
8 October, the ARTel space in Warsaw hosted a warm and very friendly creative gathering that brought together artisans, artists and designers — people who live and work in Poland but come from different countries. All the participants were immigrants, which made the conversation especially open and honest.
Everyone came with their own creations: some brought ceramics, others illustrations, jewellery or textiles. People laid out their pieces on the tables, looked at each other’s work, shared stories about how they began creating, what inspires them, and what helps them keep going.
The discussion quickly turned to a topic that concerns everyone: how to build a creative career while living in immigration. Participants talked about promotion, finding clients, and discovering one’s place in a new country where everything has to start from scratch. They exchanged experiences — how they found their first commissions, what helped them not give up, which platforms work best, and when patience becomes essential.
More personal questions also emerged: which direction to take, what they truly want to do, how to understand where to focus their energy and artistic efforts. Many shared that creativity becomes a way to remain oneself despite the changes around. The conversation was deep, calm and at times even therapeutic — without rush and without the need to prove anything.
The atmosphere was very warm: people laughed, encouraged one another, exchanged contacts and ideas. For some, it was the first such experience in Warsaw; for others, a chance to finally meet people who understand what it means to start from zero in a foreign country.
The evening ended with a feeling that a small yet vibrant creative community is beginning to take shape. And gatherings like this remind us that even in immigration, it’s possible to build, create and grow — and doing it together is always easier.