“Everyone should feel pride in themselves and where they have come from,” say Phie McKenzie, founder of talent agency Creative Ally, and Dagmar Bennett, an advertising director and filmmaker. Together, they run Clwb Creative Cymru, a community of creatives with ties to Wales, an initiative born out of their own national pride.

McKenzie and Bennett launched Clwb Creative Cymru after finding there was a lack of spaces for Welsh creatives to connect in London, where they now live. By bringing people together, they hope to foster a sense of community, belonging and pride in Welsh heritage. Their events have offered occasions for discussion, networking and socialising for people across the creative ecosystem – fashion, art, music, food, media, theatre, advertising and beyond – as well as offering a small slice of home away from home.

After a series of supper clubs and networking events last year, they’re staging a more ambitious showcase of Welsh talent called Refresh/Retold, which is being held in Shoreditch, London on St David’s Day (Dydd Gŵyl Dewi). Supported by Creative Wales, the event involves a programme of documentary and narrative film screenings, and a photography exhibition featuring work by over ten photographers including Megan Winstone, Taiye Omokore, and collaborators Charlotte James and Clémentine Schneidermann.

Among many of the exhibitors and panellists, Welsh identity is a cornerstone of their career and practice. “It’s the driving force of my career,” says Winstone, who incorporates her Valleys heritage into much of her photography. “The landscape, community, my family all have star status in my photo work. Many industry icons who I could only dream about working with have noticed me because of my proud Welshness – it has opened up incredible opportunities and will continue to do so.”

For Omokore, who besides photography is also the founder of indie magazine Klat, the diversity and complexity of Welsh identity are what drives his work. “While my roots are deeply tied to Nigeria, moving to Wales brought me into a space that thrives on its own rich culture, yet also embraces different cultural voices. As a photographer, these experiences have shaped the way I approach storytelling – celebrating identity and beauty in all its forms.”

Previous events (and a thriving WhatsApp chat) have naturally segued into informal discussions about Welsh culture and creativity, including the many barriers and stereotypes that people still encounter. At Refresh/Retold, there will be dedicated forums for sharing experiences, including a networking segment and mentoring sessions. There are also three panels exploring the current landscape of Welsh music; representation and storytelling in media; and the power of branding and self-promotion, with speakers including fashion brand founder Ibby Abdi and filmmaker Janis Pugh.

Another panellist is Lydia Birgani-Nia, a brand consultant who works across everything from sports culture to tech. Her Welsh heritage comes through in tacit forms – a sense of resilience and an appreciation of community – while also informing how she works with clients. “Being Welsh has taught me that powerful storytelling comes from genuine connection – a principle I apply when working with global brands. My Welsh/Iranian identity in London gives me a distinctive perspective to identify emerging trends and connect traditional spaces with digital innovation. My Welsh roots constantly remind me that truly transformative work never loses its human element.”

Previous events have been open to anyone who feels connected to Welsh culture, whether they were born and raised there, have family connections, have lived there, or otherwise. Refresh/Retold is even more accessible in that everybody is welcome, with or without a link to Wales, so that everyone can see what Welsh talent has to offer.

“When people think of Wales, they often picture rugby and male voice choirs, but our creative identity is so much richer than that,” says McKenzie. “Refresh/Retold is about reshaping perceptions and showcasing the innovators defining modern Welsh culture.”

Refresh/Retold takes place at Shoreditch Arts Club, London on March 1; @clwb_creative_cymru