ABOUT US

Ritual – Artistic Encounters is a creative collective of established migrants and locals in Tamaki Makaurau with the mission to engage diverse communities, provoke social reflections and bring people together through art.

We offer opportunities and spaces for cultural and artistic exchange between emerging and established artists from the many different cultural backgrounds represented in Aotearoa, connetting ancient and contemporary artistic expressions while engaging local, ethnic and under-served communities through art to broaden social inclusion and well-being.

We strongly believe that artistic expression, cultural pride and social belonging are fundamental human needs and also extremely powerful tools to bring diverse communities together to create a new narrative of coexistence and independence.

We ourselves come from different cultural backgrounds and bring a wide range of professional skills which include but are not limited to: art event management, sustainable design, art director in film industry, marketing and human resources. We decided to put these skills at the service of the artists community supporting a stronger and resilient art sector and to acknowledge, unite and celebrate diversity and creativity.

Meet the Team

Ana Vite

Artists Coordinator,
Artistic Coordinator

Born in Mexico City, worked three years at Veracruzanas University of Xalapa as a Cultural and Art Department Manager organising several cultural events, exhibitions and international Art Festivals.

Moved to Nz in 2013 and contributed as editor in Latidos Magazine – online magazine – promoting and organising different events to support Latin artists living in Aotearoa.

Maria Fernanda Morales

Visual & Social Media Comm.
Coordinator, Artists Coordinator

She was born in Chile and got a University degree in Visual Communication & Product management. She worked extensively in organising events for several companies in Chile.

In Aotearoa she works as a freelance graphic designer and social media manager for several clients.

Ester Salvatori

Strategic/Operational Coordinator,
Artistic Advisor

Originally from Italy, moved to Nz in 2009 with a University degree in Strategic Design and Media Design.

Her organisational ability, strategic mindset and experience managing creative projects spans from sustainable to product design.

Ben Thomas

Marketing Capability & Development Coordinator, Artistic Advisor

Ben is an eclectic kiwi and a seasoned marketing leader with a focus on digital innovation and data-driven strategies that enhance brand visibility and audience engagement.

He has plenty of corporate experience having driven customer growth across several top-tier organisations such as Mercury Energy, Les Mills International, Spark and ANZ resulting in several industry awards.

Cristina Roberto

Logistic Coordinator, Artistic Advisor

Originally from Barcelona has spent the last ten years in Aotearoa. She worked as International Relations manager at EAE Business School (Barcelona) from 2006 until 2014, hosting and organising big events and annual Congresses.

In Nz she successfully worked as Art Coordinator in Film and TV Industry from 2017 to the present developing valuable skills she is happy to transfer to the Art Collective she proudly belongs to.