Creatives of all ages gathered at the Kingston Creative Coworking Space on March 7 for the ‘OGs vs Gen Z’ meetup, an event designed to connect industry veterans with emerging talent. The discussion focused on the evolving creative landscape, access to opportunities, and the role of mentorship in career growth.
The event featured insightful conversations led by industry veteran Vonni Koromanti, a cultural and creative industries consultant, who spoke about the importance of protecting creative work and industry changes over time, while Anna-Lisa Guthrie (Annaixe), a multidisciplinary visual artist, shared her experience working as a multihyphenate and the difficulties faced by up and coming creatives.
Koromanti emphasised the importance of knowledge-sharing between generations, stating, “Let us take from both generations—what is good, what is upfull, what is meaningful. Add to it, because I think that is important, own it and improve it while safeguarding our culture.”
Guthrie encouraged creatives to take proactive steps in shaping their careers, saying, “Let this (Creative Meetup) be the catalyst for whatever it is we say we are lacking. Let’s put some real action… to passion.”
Attendees also explored a pop-up art exhibition by up-and-coming visual artist Kadine Lindsay, known for her work that examines themes of identity and personal storytelling.
Kingston Creative’s executive director, Andrea Dempster-Chung, highlighted the significance of these intergenerational conversations.
“The creative industry thrives on collaboration. When seasoned professionals and emerging talents come together, it fosters innovation, preserves cultural legacies, and builds a stronger creative economy. That is the community that Kingston Creative seeks to create,” she said.
The discussion raised key questions about career advancement in Jamaica’s creative industry—whether veteran artists had greater access to opportunities or if Gen Z is leveraging technology to redefine success.
The event emphasised the need for more structured mentorship in the community.