connect→collide→collab: a cross-disciplinary matchmaking & gathering for multimedia creators

What happens when visual artists, sound artists, performers, coders, designers, writers, and curators meet without the pressure to perform or perfect?

connect→collide→collab is UAAD’s experiment in creative matchmaking. A few hours of open exchange where rough ideas, half-built projects, and spontaneous collaborations take center stage. Instead of showcasing finished work, we make space for the “messy middle”: the trials, questions, and moments of becoming that shape every creative process.

Throughout the afternoon, Between Space Studio filled with vibrant energy — part studio, part playground, part think tank. From informal workshares and open mics to a color-coded mixer and live portrait studio, the event brought together an eclectic mix of makers to share skills, stories, and sparks of inspiration. Between sips, beats, and laughter, new friendships formed and future collaborations began to take root.

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The afternoon unfolded in four parts:

✹ 3:00–3:15 PM — Welcome + Brief Introduction

Hosts kicked off with a short welcome, followed by a quick go-around: name, pronouns, and everyone’s current vibe.

✹ 3:15–4:00 PM — Informal Workshare

Participants shared in-progress projects (up to 3 minutes each) — offering glimpses into evolving ideas, prototypes, and creative experiments.

✹ 4:00–4:30 PM — Open Mic

An open space for spontaneous sharing — where anyone could call out what they were seeking or offering. The session wrapped with a small birthday celebration for the May babes in the mix.

✹ 4:30–6:00 PM — Collaborative Mixer + Portrait Studio

Colored stickers representing different skillsets — from visual art, design, and creative tech to writing, sound, and curation — helped spark new connections in a low-pressure, playful way. The Portrait Studio Corner offered everyone a chance to get a striking shot by @corvus_visio in a professional photo production setup, whether camera-ready or just rolling in as they were.

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The photography by @corvus_visio captured everyone in their element, and @zaqikwi’s DJ set kept the mood glowing till the end.

Thank you to everyone who showed up with openness, care, and courage to share, and to our community for proving once again that creativity grows best when we create together.