Tom Maryniak

As the facilitator and founder of Hour Aside, I work with a diverse range of teams and groups both online and in-person. After graduating in Fine Art Printmaking, I spent several years working as an artist's assistant and designer before founding my own wallpaper company in 2015. In 2018, I co-founded Lisboa Social Press, an artist-run studio in Lisbon dedicated to workshops, exhibitions, artist residencies, retreats and community events. The aim was to create meaningful experiences that made creativity more accessible and brought people together. During the pandemic, we quickly pivoted to become one of the first creative workshops on Airbnb Online Experiences, adapting our in-person format for a global audience. What began as a necessity soon evolved into working with teams from some of the world's leading organisations, including Google, Spotify, BlackRock, KPMG and many others. To date, I have facilitated upwards of 1,500 workshops, both online and in person, as well as organising retreats, away days and creative events for participants across the UK and Europe. Alongside my creative work, I have trained in Breathwork facilitation and spent several years running weekly men's groups focused on connection, conversation and emotional growth. I am currently training as an integrative therapist, deepening my understanding of human relationships, communication and group dynamics. A common thread throughout my work has been creating opportunities for people to connect. Whether through art, conversation or shared experiences, I enjoy designing environments that encourage curiosity, participation and genuine interaction. Across all of my projects, I bring a combination of creative expertise, thoughtful facilitation, attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm for bringing people together.