This was chosen in collaboration with our global partner Adobe and illustrated by Ana Grigorovici.

This marks the first time we have ever worked with a global partner to select a monthly theme. Because at CreativeMornings, we believe everyone is creative—and Adobe couldn’t agree more.

Together, we’re bringing you the motivation and accountability you need to bring your ideas to life. Release Day on May 29th is when we all finally share that special thing we’ve been working on!

Create is about making something. Release Day is about sharing it with the world.

Local speaker Monica S. Downen is a creative entrepreneur, leadership coach, and Community Programs Manager at Town & Country Market in Poulsbo. She spent nearly two decades building and leading a beloved community café that became known as much for how it felt as for what it served, creating not just food, but a place where her team and customer family alike felt seen, nourished, and at ease. It was there she learned that culture is something you cook up daily, not just something you talk about. Before that, she spent 15 years as a Police Dispatcher with the King County Sheriff’s Office, where she learned the quiet art of staying calm in the midst of chaos. Today, through her work with Wild Abandon, she helps individuals and organizations read the tide of change, reconnect to their inner knowing, and move forward with clarity and care. Her work blends practical guidance with somatic awareness, grounded leadership, and a deep respect for the small, often overlooked moments where real change begins.

Save the date for Friday, May 8 and click to sign up 

The international theme for April is Ember. This was chosen by our Poulsbo chapter in Washington and illustrated by  Bainbridge Island local Sarah Gordon. April 23rds local presentation by Poulsbo Vikings Joshua Washburn and Brennan Webster is now shared in video and via photography, check it outThis month we also have extra❤️community LOVE❤️ where we ended the session and fire over the embers as the torch was officially passed from Rachael Studebaker, the founder in 2022 of CreativeMornings Poulsbo and owner of @studebakerdesignco to our new co-host Amber Sallay, the Director of Operations at Vibe Coworks; needless to say our chapter is in great hands 🥹 and it was as touching as it was wonderful to bear witness to seeing what the chapter was built on.🌎

❤️ Tue, Apr 28, 2026 • 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM PDT • Virtual

🌍Connect & Reflect is a mixer designed to bring the CreativeMornings global communities together.

✨During this FieldTrip, co-hosted by Lauren Deborah and Alexis Fakouri we’ll offer a few gentle prompts to get your thoughts flowing, then break into small groups to reflect on what came up. You might leave with a fresh insight, a new friend—or both.

🔥Just have your laptop and something to write with!

Are your ears burning? They might after listening to our playlist for April's global theme EMBER on the CreativeMornings blog. You can even add a song related to ember that lights you up!

Have you ever felt stuck on a creative project?

What if we gave ourselves a collective deadline? And supported each other to finally share that special thing?

CreativeMornings, Creative Quests, and Adobe have teamed up to bring you a month-long program of practical tips, motivation, and accountability to help you bring your project to life.

Join people around the world releasing their creative projects in a global firework display of creativity on May 29th! See the details and sign up.

She illustrated our EMBER theme for April! She’s an artist and textile designer whose work is influenced by modern art, contemporary interiors, and quirky antique botanical illustrations. Explore some of Sarah’s favorite works on the #CreativeMornings blog #CMember

Click to learn what her take is on this month's topic EMBER: 

You can see more of Sarah’s work on her site and follow him/her/them on Instagram @sarahgordondesign.

It was chosen by our Poulsbo chapter in Washington and illustrated by Sarah Gordon.

The literal meaning of ember is a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire. But as a metaphor, it means so much more.

Click to watch this video from our Poulsbo chapter for more on what ember means to us.

What ember is quietly glowing inside you? And what new fire will it ignite in your life?

🎤 Local Speakers from Poulsbo Vikings Joshua Washburn and Brennan Webster will have us stepping into the living legacy of Poulsbo’s Viking roots with these two modern-day torchbearers of Nordic tradition. As the current Viking King and Jarl (Vice President) of the Poulsbo Sons of Norway since 2023, Josh Washburn brings both deep devotion to the Norse gods and a passion for sharing ancient myths, legends, and the “old ways” with today’s community—backed by a remarkable career serving 14 years as a Navy federal police officer and now as a security specialist in anti-terrorism and foreign travel protection. Alongside him stands Brennan Webster, a proud descendant of “the land of ice and snow,” whose connection to his ancestors fuels his commitment to preserving Nordic heritage for the next generation through family, community, and his work with the Sons of Norway and his local business, Valhalla Conveyance Express. Together, these modern Vikings don’t just wear the history—they live it—inviting you to experience the stories, spirit, and strength of Poulsbo’s Scandinavian legacy firsthand. ⚔️🔥🛡️

Save the date for this theme's talk at Murielle Iversion Williams Waterfrontpark on Friday, April 24 at 7:30am, click to get your ticket.

Regional creativity shines as Poulsbo’s global CreativeMornings theme and Bainbridge Island artist Sarah Gordon’s artwork debut worldwide

A creative gathering rooted in Kitsap is now shaping a worldwide conversation. CreativeMornings HQ has selected “EMBER,” a theme proposed by the CreativeMornings Poulsbo chapter, as the official global theme for April 2026. It is one of just twelve chosen annually from more than 250 chapters around the world.
The recognition places Kitsap among a small group of communities influencing CreativeMornings’ international network, the world’s largest face-to-face creative community. Each month, creatives gather in more than 256 cities across 70 countries for free, volunteer-led events built on a simple premise: everyone is creative.

Globally, CreativeMornings is supported by partners including Adobe and The Harnisch Foundation. Locally, the Poulsbo chapter is powered by community sponsors, volunteers, and collaborators who help bring each gathering to life.

Adding to the milestone, Bainbridge Island artist Sarah Gordon has been selected by CreativeMornings Headquarters to illustrate the “ember” theme. After the chapter submitted several artist recommendations, CreativeMornings Headquarters made the final selection. Her artwork will be used by chapters worldwide throughout April, sharing a visual expression of Kitsap’s creative spirit with a global audience.

A theme rooted in quiet strength

As a chapter, CreativeMornings Poulsbo selected “ember” to reflect the character of its community and inspire chapters worldwide. As described by the Poulsbo teamm, click to watch the video:

“Embers represent the quiet, enduring remnants of fire—what remains after the intensity fades. They carry a smoldering potential, a subtle strength that holds heat long after the flames have gone. Poulsbo, and the wider Kitsap community, is home for a steady and enduring warmth. Our spark lives in reflection, resilience, and the space we have to pause, think, and grow.
In those calm moments, we find what many others miss: the steady glow of ideas, relationships, and dreams that don’t need noise to thrive. Embers remind us that even after challenges or change, something powerful remains, ready to reignite when needed. We hold that same quiet fire within ourselves, and in community with each other, we kindle more.
Together, we tend the quiet fire—fueling one another through presence, care, and connection.”

A local chapter with global reach

CreativeMornings Poulsbo is an independent, volunteer-led chapter founded by Rachael Studebaker of Studebaker Design Co., whose vision helped bring the global initiative to Kitsap in 2023 at the encouragement of Vibe Coworks founder Alanna Imbach. While CreativeMornings requires chapters to be tied to a city, the intention has always been to reflect and serve the broader Kitsap community.

Rachael Studebaker shared:
“From the beginning, the vision was bigger than one town. We wanted to create something that felt welcoming to creatives from across Kitsap County—a space where people could gather, learn from one another, and feel part of a global creative movement without having to leave home.”

Since its launch, Vibe Coworks has supported the chapter by sponsoring venue space for its monthly gatherings, providing a consistent home where creatives can come together.

Celebrating a local artist on the world stage

Each CreativeMornings theme is paired with artwork from an illustrator connected to the chapter that proposed it. Sarah Gordon’s selection highlights the depth of creative talent across Kitsap and places local artistry at the center of an international creative dialogue.

Her illustration will appear on CreativeMornings’ website, social channels, and promotional materials throughout April, with chapters around the world using the artwork to visually interpret the “ember” theme.

The role of place in shaping creative ecosystems

For Vibe Coworks, the global recognition of CreativeMornings Poulsbo reflects the broader impact of community-driven spaces and relationships.

“CreativeMornings Poulsbo has become one of those gatherings that people genuinely look forward to each month,” said Amber Sallay, Director of Operations at Vibe Coworks and CreativeMornings Poulsbo team volunteer.

“It’s welcoming, it’s thoughtful, and it reflects the spirit of this community. Seeing a theme born here reach a global audience is incredibly special. It shows what’s possible when people have a space to come together consistently.”

Since launching, CreativeMornings Poulsbo has grown into a monthly gathering point for creatives, entrepreneurs, and neighbors seeking connection and inspiration.

Past speakers and themes have explored topics such as Blossom, Punk, Soft, and Revival, inviting highlighting voices from across Kitsap’s creative and business communities to share their take on these shared global concepts.

A global moment for a local community

CreativeMornings Poulsbo gatherings are typically held at Vibe Coworks from 7:30 - 9:00 AM on the second Friday of each month. The April 2026 edition will be an exception, taking place at the Downtown Poulsbo Waterfront, featuring Joshua Washburn and Brennan Webster, with the Sons of Norway Vikings as the month’s speaker

Every CreativeMornings event is free and open to everyone, though advance registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own mugs as part of the chapter’s sustainable BYO mug tradition, with coffee and pastries provided by generous local sponsors.

Local sponsors and collaborators who have helped sustain CreativeMornings Poulsbo include Brittany Kelley Photography, Leah Persinger - Realtor, Libro.fm, Rice Fergus Miller, and Tideland Magazine. Photographers and videographers regularly donate their time and services, including Full Circle Photography, Inspire Creative Co., Jello Penguin Productions, Logan Westrom Photography, Scandia Studio, Troy Dominy, and others who help document the creative energy of each gathering.

As the chapter continues to grow, CreativeMornings Poulsbo welcomes additional sponsors and volunteers who want to help sustain free, community-driven creative programming in Kitsap. Contact: poulsbo@creativemornings.com to get involved.

source: Vibe Coworks 

The international theme for March is Local. This was chosen by our Santos chapter in Brazil and illustrated by Simone Matias, and presented by Adobe. March 13ths local presentation by Bridget Young is now shared in video and via photography, check it out

This was chosen by our Santos chapter in Brazil and illustrated by Simone Matias, and presented by Adobe.

Local (pronounced lo·cal) in Portuguese means “being a resident or native to a particular area.”

Our Santos chapter had this to say about the significance of this month's theme:

“We are proud to be from Santos. The feeling of loving the city but sometimes moving away. The benefits of belonging somewhere.”

Watch this video from our Santos chapter for more on what local means to them.

So, how does where you’re from define who you are? How do different spaces foster that sense of connection? How can we develop and strengthen bonds with the people around us?

It’s time to remind ourselves that community happens in neighborhoods not just on screens.

Local Speaker Bridget Young grew up in Indianola, and graduated from North Kitsap High School. While Kitsap County intially felt too small and provincial, she experienced college on the East Coast and was sure that she would never return. Within five years, she returned with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a husband in tow. Becoming a visual artist, art curator and art gallery employee in Seattle, what was initally thought to be a short detour, evolved into a very successful 24 year career in local real estate. She shares how real estate has taught her more about herself than she could have ever imagined, experiencing and sharing "local" with so many others.

Save the date for this theme's talk on Friday, March 13 and click to get your ticket.