The Departure Lounge: Inspiring Global Stories

Looking out the window of a departure lounge, anything feels possible. The world is your oyster, ideas flow freely, and inspiration seems endless. This September, we’re bringing that energy to Auckland Central.

In this show-and-tell style speaker series you’ll hear from three globe-trotters who have returned to Aotearoa with ideas to share. From the cosy departure lounge at The Button Factory, each speaker will take us on a journey — sharing one idea, learning, or experience that inspired them from their travels to Spain, Mexico and Italy.

Meet fellow internationalists, exchange ideas, or simply settle in and enjoy good stories and warm hospitality.

Storytellers include:

• Ina Arraoui (@inaarraoui) — a contemporary print artist whose interest in cross-cultural collaboration has taken her to connect with print communities in the US, Indonesia, The Philippines and Thailand. At home in Tāmaki Makaurau, she is the Founder of Printopia Festival — an annual event promoting contemporary printmaking in Aotearoa. She’ll share her experience studying traditional intaglio printmaking at Il Bisonte Foundation of Printmaking and Art in Florence, Italy.
• Anjana Iyer (@anjana.s.iyer) — an independent graphic designer and animator who works with purpose-driven brands and organisations that give a damn about people and the planet. Her interest in Mexican art, food, and local agricultural practices brought her to Milpa in Mexico City, where she discovered the possibilities of climate-friendly, regenerative gardening. She’ll share how her time at Milpa changed the way she thinks about growing food and inspired her to bring those lessons home to her own backyard.
• July Cortés Cárdenas (@julycortescardenas) — an artist who works with soap as a medium, creating richly textured, wax-like paintings. Her creative practice is driven by curiosity, experimentation, and a desire to challenge traditional ideas of what art can be. She’ll share how one unexpected experience – a fashion show in Madrid – changed the way she sees herself and her journey as an artist.

Whether you’re looking to connect back in with the local internationally-minded community, longing for your next adventure, or simply keen to meet other global citizens, this is where we’ll be.

Hospitality will be available for purchase from The Purple Peony — small batch, hand-crafted chocolate and cacao creations.

Come curious. Leave connected. Get your tickets now.

The Departure Lounge is proudly presented by Waitematā Arts Club in partnership with The Button Factory.