New Bedford Creative Launches 2025 Peer-to-Peer Sessions

New Bedford Creative Launches New Slate of Peer-to-Peer Sessions September through November

NEW BEDFORD, MA — This fall, New Bedford Creative is once again opening the door for artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs to learn, share, and grow together. Beginning in September 2025, a new slate of Peer-to-Peer sessions will connect the city’s creative community through workshops designed to foster collaboration, spark ideas, and provide practical tools for success in today’s evolving creative industries. All sessions are free of charge and offered both in-person and online.

“New Bedford Creative is proud to have another year where these workshops celebrate the spirit of learning, sharing, and creativity,” states Hendrick Hernandez-Resto, Creative Specialist. “We hope to continue bringing artists together to inspire one another, strengthen their practices, and carry forward the vibrant energy that makes this city’s creative community so unique.”

Peer-to-Peer sessions have become a trusted platform for creative professionals in Greater New Bedford, offering artists hands-on strategies, grant-writing expertise, marketing know-how, and insight into regional opportunities such as residencies and public art calls. This season’s lineup brings together local leaders and industry experts who will share their knowledge in an accessible and supportive environment.

Among the highlights are “Grant Writing Made Simple” with Dawn Salerno, “Social Media Basics for Artists & Creatives” with Colleen MacRamos, and “Creative Marketing Strategies” with Ashley Payne. New Bedford Creative staff will also lead information sessions on applying for the 2026 Artist-in-Residence at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the FY26 New Bedford Creative Grant Programs, and the 2026 Seaport Art Walk Call for Art.

To serve the city’s Spanish-speaking community, New Bedford Creative will once again offer Arte Entre Amigos, a companion program led by textile artist Paulina Fuenzalida-Guzman. These in-person workshops, “Curso de Bordado Sobre Papel,” invite participants to explore drawing and shading with yarn, paper, and cardboard, while also building cultural connections through shared creative practice.

Peer-to-Peer workshops will be held at The Quest, 1213 Purchase Street, New Bedford (2nd floor, NBEDC Conference Room) and simultaneously online. Registration can be accomplished via Eventbrite HERE. Arte Entre Amigos sessions take place only at Mujeres Victoriosas Office in the Kilburn Mill, 127 W. Rodney French Boulevard, Suite S3-58, New Bedford. Registration can be accomplished via Eventbrite HERE. 

With a roster of sessions running from September through November 2025, the Peer-to-Peer program offers something for every creative voice in the region – whether it’s an emerging artist applying for their first grant, an established cultural organizer sharpening their marketing skills, or a Spanish-speaking artist seeking community through craft.

By blending peer-to-peer learning with real-world expertise, New Bedford Creative continues to reinforce the city’s reputation as a hub where arts and culture are not just celebrated but actively nurtured.

At a Glance: Peer-to-Peer Sessions (in-person + online sessions)

• How to Apply: 2026 Artist-in-Residence at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
  Sept. 9 | 12:30–1:30 PM | Led by New Bedford Creative staff
• Get Funded: 2026 New Bedford Creative Grant Programs
  Sept. 23 | 12:30–1:30 PM | Led by New Bedford Creative staff
• Grant Writing Made Simple with Dawn Salerno
  Oct. 7 | 12:30–1:30 PM
• Social Media Basics for Artists & Creatives with Colleen MacRamos
  Oct. 21 | 12:30–1:30 PM
• Creative Marketing Strategies with Ashley Payne
  Nov. 4 | 12:30–1:30 PM
• Submit Your Work: 2026 Seaport Art Walk Call for Art
  Nov. 18 | 12:30–1:30 PM | Led by New Bedford Creative staff

At a Glance: Arte Entre Amigos (in-person, Spanish-language sessions) 

• Curso de Bordado Sobre Papel with Paulina Fuenzalida-Guzman
  Sept. 12 | 5:30–7:00 PM
  Sept. 19 | 5:30–7:00 PM
  Sept. 26 | 5:30–7:00 PM
  Oct. 3 | 5:30–7:00 PM

Meet the Leaders

Dawn Estabrooks Salerno – Dawn Salerno has dedicated her career to the museum field, holding positions at the Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford, CT), Mystic Museum of Art (Mystic, CT), and currently serving as Executive Director of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum in New Bedford. She holds a Master’s in Education from Bank Street College and completed the Getty Leadership Institute for Museum Leadership in 2017. An experienced grant reviewer for the National Endowment for the Humanities, IMLS, and Massachusetts Cultural Council, she also serves on several New Bedford leadership groups, including the South Coast Community Foundation Corporators and New Bedford Creative Consortium.

Colleen MacRamos – Colleen MacRamos is a creative professional with over 15 years of experience in visual storytelling, arts marketing, and community engagement. From managing city-backed social campaigns to photographing more than 350 weddings, her work blends authenticity with artistry. She specializes in crafting human-centered visuals and brand voices that connect people, stories, and places—helping creatives sharpen their online presence.

Ashley Payne – Ashley Payne is the founder of Cardinal Creative Strategies, a marketing coach and consultant who empowers artists and creative entrepreneurs to build strong, sustainable brands. With over a decade of experience working with local businesses and nonprofits, and an MS in Marketing, Ashley blends data-driven strategy with creativity. Her work has been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine, Food and Travel, National Geographic, ORIGIN Magazine, WPRI, and Cox Media Yurview.

Paulina Fuenzalida-Guzman – Paulina Fuenzalida-Guzman is a textile artist and designer from Santiago, Chile, who relocated to New Bedford in 2018 to pursue a Master’s in Fibers at UMass Dartmouth. Her work spans interior design, journalism, and fiber arts, often exploring themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage. She was awarded the Surface Design Association Outstanding Student Award in 2019 and currently leads a collaborative textile project with Latino artists in the New Bedford area, highlighting underrepresented voices in the visual arts.

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