Storytelling for Creatives
Storytelling for Creatives
Presented by Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
6:30-8 p.m.
How you talk about your work matters just as much as the work itself. Whether you're applying for opportunities, speaking about a project, or introducing yourself to someone new, having a clear sense of your story helps people connect with what you create, and why you create it.
This workshop is about finding the language for your practice. Learn how to shape your artist’s story without forcing it into a brand, and how thoughtful storytelling can become a practical PR tool. Guest Speaker Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz will discuss how to put together a compelling narrative, write an artist bio and statement, build a simple press kit, and share your work in ways that feel authentic rather than performative.
This is less about selling and more about telling the story only you can tell, while giving people a way in.
About Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz
Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz is a Venezuelan-American communications strategist, storyteller, and co-founder & CEO of Refuerzo Collaborative, a Latina-owned agency nurturing stories that reinforce community. With experience spanning top agencies, in-house leadership, and her own firm, she has landed clients in USA Today, Forbes, Business Insider, Architectural Digest, and Fast Company, led campaigns that earned industry awards, and grown media impressions by 197 million in under a year. A 2026 Austin Under 40 finalist, multi-year Austin Woman Changemaker, and Top Woman in Communications Rising Star, Fabiana also serves on multiple civic and nonprofit boards and is deeply committed to mentorship, ethical leadership, and amplifying underrepresented voices.
Photo by Lucero Creative Studio
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance please contact (512) 974-3917 or Relay Texas 7-1-1. For more information or to request a language interpreter, please call Austin 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000. Requests for interpretation services should be made at least five days prior to the meeting or event you plan to attend.
September 29, 2026
Dougherty Arts Center