Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashara Shapiro.
Hi Ashara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I would say that my purpose is to be an advocate for myself and others to live a creative life. I have been a dynamic and holistic force within the artistic community by being deliberate in the goals I have created at ArtWRKD, aligning my actions with my artistic vision. I possess a unique, forward-thinking perspective—I can see beyond the immediate and work toward creating a future where creativity has a meaningful impact.
This dream started around 15 years ago when I wanted a creative space for myself and, as a young mother, quickly realised the need for a creative space for children. But it was about overall creative fulfilment. I wanted to focus on a more permanent improvement and revolutionary approach to creative support. It weaved and morphed over the years while I studied different aspects of entrepreneurship, marketing, branding, and building ideas from the ground up.
Then, my mother was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and we lost her 19 days later. This experience, this loss, really halted my pace. The path I was headed on suddenly seemed like it had ended, and a new path emerged. My mother’s last advice to me was to live a brave life. I spent time deciding what that looked like. This space, this way of fostering positive growth in the creative sector, was my brave life. It was and continues to be ARTWRKD. I wanted the space to be as inclusive as possible—in its offerings, in what is shown through exhibitions, and in the messaging the mission gives to the community. This space honours the idea that following our dreams is the bravest act, just as living a creative life is.
I focus on consistency in what I offer to both artists and patrons, while staying open to the organic way ArtWRKD is growing. I am deeply connected to the artistic community and committed to breaking down the walls between patrons and artists. Creating opportunities for them to come together makes the work more powerful and meaningful—the artist feels seen and heard.
I am focused on the humanity of the creative life—the space where storytelling lives. I curate with intention and hold a clear vision for exhibitions. I am selective, yet open-minded and inclusive, always advocating for work that demonstrates strength and quality. I actively promote the idea that a creative life is fulfilling and essential, inspiring others to embrace creativity as a way of living and thinking. Fostering collaboration is central to my work—I see the artist as both the person and the expression.
Looking back, I feel like I was always heading toward this space. All the places I have studied, the roles I have held, and the knowledge I have gained have led me here—to feel confident in the curatorial and creative space I now occupy. I believe deeply in the vision of ArtWRKD, in the community I am building, and in the dialogue I am pressing forward. This work feels urgent—to support artists, to reframe fine art, and to remind us of the necessity of not only creating the work, but experiencing it.
In my own art, I am a storyteller with an affinity for the past. My wearable work is rooted in discovery and intention. I begin with objects from another time—pieces that hold history—and I ask what they can become while still honoring where they came from. Sometimes I draw, sometimes I let my hands lead, sometimes I sit with a piece until it reveals itself. I believe there is energy in the work, and I put intention into every piece—something that others have told me they can feel.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Having your own business is never a smooth road—any entrepreneur can tell you that. Add a business in the creative sector, and the challenges expand even further. It requires believing in the power I possess and trusting that I am making the right choices. It means not allowing distractions, or working toward others’ dreams instead of my own, to consume precious time.
This tightrope is always tricky. It is a constant re-visit—balancing tasks with varying levels of importance and potential impact. I believe I have the drive to move the business side forward because of the nature of my vision for the future of the space, but I remain present, which helps ground the artistic work. I try to honour the space I am in daily and focus on the work that would most benefit from my attention.
It is also understanding the constant grit it takes to sustain a creative space over the years—the fluctuating economy, the energy of entrepreneurship, and the flexibility required to pivot and evolve while staying true to the vision.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have always been a storyteller and a lover of tales. Since childhood, I’ve had an affinity for things of the past. My curiosity led me to explore where we have come from, in order to better understand how we arrived at the present.
My wearable artwork came through discovery—through a need to express myself and a need I recognized in others. Over time, I have grown within my design practice, expanding how I approach wearables and allowing myself to experiment with materials not typically explored. This evolution has been an important part of my process, pushing me to see beyond traditional forms and to reimagine what wearable art can be.
I have always believed in the power of words, and so I incorporate them into my work. We come from a pre-industrial time when everyday items were imagined, patented, and created with care and beauty in mind. We did not always discard—we cherished. We created out of necessity, through problem-solving.
I want to honour those triumphs in my work. I want to preserve fragments of those stories and dreams, creating something new while still honouring the past.
I begin with an object, or a piece of an object, from another time and design from there. I ask: what can this become? How can I still cherish it? Sometimes I sketch, sometimes I let my hands guide me, and sometimes I sit with a piece until it reveals itself. I believe there is energy and intention in the work. I put intention into every piece, and I have heard from many clients that they can feel it.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Newtown is more than a backdrop for me—it is the heart of ArtWRKD. This is where I have nurtured my family and built my life, and that foundation is deeply intertwined with the vision I have for the space. This town holds so much meaning for me—it is not just a place, but a community of people I care about deeply. There is a sense of connection here that continues to shape how I think, create, and build.
Newtown’s rich history speaks to me both personally and creatively. From its architecture to its traditions, there is a feeling of continuity—of stories that have been lived, carried, and passed down. I have always been drawn to looking back to understand where we are now, and Newtown naturally offers that bridge. It allows me to exist in both spaces—the past and the present—while thinking about the future.
There is also something very grounding about creating in a place that feels so rooted. It reminds me of the importance of community, of showing up, and of creating something meaningful not just for myself, but for the people around me. ArtWRKD grew here because it made sense for it to grow here. It reflects the people, the history, and the energy of Newtown, while also pushing forward new ideas about what a creative space can be.
Being here continues to inspire me—it reinforces my commitment to building something that connects people, honours where we have come from, and creates space for where we are going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artwrkd.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art.wrkd/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/artwrkd.exhibitionspace/
