Sit down with Pizza and Pitches winner Flora Baltz

Pizza and Pitches offers local people the chance to pitch a project or idea for the chance to win £1000 of funding and producing, space and marketing support from the Albany to bring it to life. 

We spoke to previous Pizza and Pitches winner Flora Baltz about her project, and what the process of applying, pitching and producing your idea is like.

Why did you decide to apply for Pizza and Pitches?

I really wanted to make a start on a project that would engage Latin American people living in London, and I saw Pizza and Pitches as the perfect opportunity to take that first step. 

I used to pass by the Albany almost daily for two years while studying nearby and was always inspired by the works happening there. I’ve always wanted to be involved in something based in that space and in connection with the local community. When I saw the Open Call, it felt like an opportunity to begin building a project that is very important to me and to create a relationship with the Albany.

Tell us a bit more about your project.

My project, Islands of the South, was originally conceived as a creative session for Latin American elders in South East London, focusing on well-being and storytelling through the body. As the project developed, I realised I hadn’t yet built the relationships needed to work meaningfully with that age group in London - as that kind of trust takes time - so I opened the session to Latin American participants of all ages, which turned out to be an amazing experience.

We started with a workshop, facilitated by myself, exploring home, memory, and migration through movement, drawing, and listening. Rooted in wellbeing practices, it created a space for connection, reflection, and shared narratives among participants of Brazilian and Chilean heritage.

The second part was an installation I shaped by reflections participants had throughout the workshop. That was exhibited in the Albany café and later at Deptford Lounge, offering a glimpse into the group’s experiences.

According to research, Latin Americans make up a large part of London’s population - around 60% of the UK’s Latin American community live in the capital - but are still underrepresented in public life. This project, which I intend to continue developing, aims to create visibility, while honouring the fluidity of identity and the richness of diasporic memory.

What was the process of pitching like? How did you find the pitch event?

There were two stages to the pitch - first, creating a video for online voting, which was quite introspective and required me to really distill my project clearly on my own. 

Then came the live pitch, which was a totally different kind of energy - speaking in front of a room full of people, hearing other amazing pitches, and sharing my idea while feeling an immediate response. It was very cool that my friends could come to watch and vote too! 

What would you say to someone thinking about applying for Pizza and Pitches?

I’d say: if you have an idea, especially one that connects with the community - go for it! Even if it’s still forming in your head. Writing it down and sharing can already be a huge step. I hesitated at first, which is totally normal, but applying was so worth it. It’s a really supportive environment, and even just the process of applying helped me grow the idea.

What’s next for you - any upcoming projects you’re working on?

Right now I’m working as a performer on a project called Movements for Staying Alive by artist Jane Castree, which will happen throughout July and August at Modern Art Oxford. It’s an interactive piece that invites the audience to engage with artworks in playful, physical ways in a museum environment. 

I’m also continuing to develop my own participatory practice, applying with projects similar to Islands of the South when I have the chance, and finding ways to connect wellbeing, creativity and community.