NowShenzhen | January 20, 2026 |
ISZAF community artists at the Absolute Art and Music Gathering, creating work for The Collaborative Project exhibition, 2024
The International Shenzhen Art Forum (ISZAF) was founded by Brittan Aebischer in September 2016. Beginning with a WeChat group and a rallying call for all artists, ISZAF quickly developed into an active organization with an administration team, website, artist challenges, figure and still life drawing sessions, workshops, art exhibitions, and community art walk and talks.
ISZAF Administration Team at the Captivating Annual Charity Auction, proudly serving as annual curators of the Art Auction, 2024
ISZAF’s administration team is a dedicated group of individuals who volunteer their time and resources to connect, support, and promote the artist collective. The team is led by four key members who co-chair ISZAF and collectively organize and run its events: Gloria Carnevale, Kumi Legault, Marjorie Hernandez-Aliaga, and Michael Williams.
Founded around the concept of an international artist society, ISZAF has quickly evolved into a platform for international arts professionals and enthusiasts in the Shenzhen area such as fine artists, graphic designers, photographers, industrial designers, tattoo artists, visual arts educators and art lovers.
Artist drawings created during one of ISZAF’s ongoing Figure Studies sessions, 2024
During its inception, ISZAF began engaging artists and their communities with weekly live drawing sessions. These sessions were offered to artists as well as anyone in the community who wanted to come and draw. Simultaneously, ISZAF established comprehensive artist challenges that were open to anyone who wanted to be challenged to make work based on a set theme. The community participation in both the live drawing sessions and the artist challenges quickly established the ISZAF community base and since then has been the driving force for all of ISZAF’s activities and sponsored events.
Participating artists celebrating the opening of the ISZAF Collaborative Project exhibition, 2024
Ten years on, ISZAF proudly celebrates a decade of creative impact, having curated a vibrant range of art shows and events. Today, ISZAF brings artists and audiences together through dynamic art gatherings that invite people to view, experience, and engage with art. Our offerings include lively figure drawing and still life sessions, mini art exhibitions, and hands-on workshops.
Participating artists at the Open Call mini exhibition opening, an ongoing collaboration with BRASS HOUSE, 2025
ISZAF is also a proud collaborator with Captivating International,Helping to curate their annual charity art auction, and works closely with BRASS HOUSE and the International School of Nanshan Shenzhen to host inspiring community art exhibitions that connect artists, students, and the wider public.
Artists coming together to create collaboratively at the Absolute Art and Music Gathering for the Collaborative Project Artist Challenge, 2024
Artists taking part in a Gelli print workshop hosted by Gloria Carnevale and Marjorie Hernandez-Aliaga, 2025
ISZAF’s Mission and Vision is to:
Connect: Connecting visual artists of all backgrounds, disciplines and nationalities, ISZAF promotes international artist networking, collaboration and professional development within the Greater Bay Area (BGA) of Guangdong, China, while engaging the local community as well through our various programmes, professional workshops and art/gallery events.
Converse: Providing various outlets for discussion, critique or for the exploration of new artistic techniques, ISZAF assists with constructive outlets for artistic conversation on all levels both within the ISZAF community and the community abroad. In addition, ISZAF works in diverse ways with artists and their galleries through their programmes for its’ members and supporters, curators and arts professionals.
Convey: Creating a platform for artists and their work to have greater visibility within greater China, ISZAF brings audiences and collectors close to the work of the artists through various media outlets (digital & print), individual gallery or group shows, and community art events.
Participants at the ISZAF Art Walk & Talk during a viewing of Frida’s Paradox, September 2025.
Ultimately, ISZAF strives to be a platform for artists and arts professionals within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) of Southern China. It is our hope that as the existing art and cultural market grows, we can establish a space for our artists to emerge and sustainably share their vision and work.
Follow us on instagram @iszaf_art or WeChat via the QR below and find out details about our latest events on our website: http://iszaf.com/
Written by ISZAF Admin Team
January 15, 2026