OUR TEAM

Deasy Bamford

Co-founder
director
Fundraiser

Collaborates closely with Vandna to provide consultancy services focused on advancing diversity within the sector, serving as a crucial bridge between artists and esteemed venues, festivals, organisations, and educational institutions, facilitating bookings and partnerships within the South West. Deasy is a mentor for our artists, nurturing their growth by honing industry skills, securing funding, and fostering valuable connections. With a strong commitment to the community, Deasy has also established the Bristol Refugee Festival and Imalya, and is currently in the process of founding an organisation in Cornwall dedicated to championing diverse artists.

Vandna Mehta

co-founder
Business income and programme development

Leads the charge in diversifying the sector through her proactive engagement efforts. She actively forges and strengthens connections with local communities, venues, organisations, and festivals to create opportunities for the Diverse Artists Network and to change representation within the sector. In 2024, Vandna will be moving to Artistic Director for Diaspora, the network’s annual city-wide festival. Her contributions extend to the founding of Vocalise, a significant community magazine in the heart of St Pauls, and she also holds the role of Community Engagement Officer for the Bristol Refugee Festival.

Yoma Smith

Marketing consultant
Event Producer

A marketing & communications professional who has shifted over 20 years of corporate experience into the arts & culture sector, delivering community engagement projects, whilst developing as a writer, performer, theatre producer and music artist manager.

Morayo Omogbenigun

Administrator
Events Coordinator

Morayo initially took an interest in racial justice as a Research Assistant on a Research Action for Race Equality (RACE) project led by the Black South West Network (BSWN) mapping racial justice organisations in Bristol while studying for her Social Policy degree from the University of Bristol in 2021. Her dissertation focused on decolonisation practices within the University of Bristol. After graduating in 2022, she worked as a Project Officer for BSWN on the Commission for Race Equality, housing policy and the UnMuseum programme, alongside working on the Bristol Legacy Foundation part-time. As of February 2024, Morayo began working for the Bristol Legacy Foundation as the Project Coordinator, focusing on public art, reparatory justice and memorialisation projects around the city. She was the administrator for DIASPORA! festival ran by DAN, and is now supporting administration and learning more about event production.

Giulia Bernacchi

communications co-ordinator
Events Coordinator

Giulia serves as the storyteller for the Diverse Artists Network. She leads the marketing strategy development, aligning it with organisational goals. Giulia crafts monthly content plans to spotlight artists’ stories, promoting programmes like Memberships, Networking Events, Mentoring, and the DIASPORA! Programme. Her work highlights the network’s value and builds its community. Giulia has also collaborated with notable individuals and organisations, including Ngaio Anyia, Booty Bass, Cables & Cameras, Bristol Women’s Voice, Bristol Post, and WWF Romania, amplifying diverse voices and fostering inclusivity in the arts.