VIBRANT | MAY 2024

ALLISON MACKEY & THE CONFETTI MARKET COLLECTIVE

“Vibrant” was our CreativeMornings’ global theme and our creative panel of colorfully joyful artists certainly left us with dynamic thoughts! Visit them and their work at popofconfetti.com.

Thanks again to Frontier and Martin for keeping our joyful mood going this month!

• Venue: Martin Agency
• Videography  Antoine Robertson, @Christversal
• Photos Jacqui De Pas
• Full VIBRANT Album Here

Thank you to our In-kind partners:  Worth Higgins & Associates, Lavender Hill, The Anderson Accounting & Advising Group.

Catch the full conversation HERE.

Our theme for May is VIBRANT. 

When was the last time you experienced something that made you feel more alive? 

Heard a melody pulsing with a beat that made your body move. Taken in the view of a lush landscape or sparkling city skyline bursting with light and shadows. Locked eyes with a striking stranger. Poured yourself into prose that crackles off the page with electricity. Lost track of time in a conversation punctuated by spirited laughter. Stopped in your tracks in front of a canvas in a museum or a mural on the street with colors so bold and bright it popped from the paint straight into your synapses. 

It might not happen every day. But you can live a life full of energy and enthusiasm. You can strive to bring brightness into every interaction. 

Because our world is full of all kinds of vibrant masterpieces. And you are one of them.

SPICY | ASHTON CARTER | APRIL 2024

April’s global theme was Spicy and Chef Ashton Carter of Celeste Farms certainly brought the heat. With spicy chicken nuggets from McDonaldsRVA (thanks TFB Agency!) and a Spicy “taste-buds” game, we celebrated the spicy creativity around us all.

Thank you Frontier and Martin for your continued support.

• Venue: Studio Two Three
• Videography  Antoine Robertson, @Christversal
• Photos Jacqui De Pas
• Full SPICY Album Here

Thank you to our In-kind partners:  Worth Higgins & Associates, Lavender Hill, The Anderson Accounting & Advising Group and DJ Anthony Bryant.

Revist the full talk HERE.

Our global theme for April is SPICY. It was chosen by our Tucson chapter and illustrated by Sophie McTear.

Oh yeah, that’s hot! 

When you’re cooking, spices add flavor, depth, and complexity to an otherwise plain culinary dish. Spicy foods interact with receptors in our mouth and can trigger sensations of heat and even pain. Can you handle it? Being open to trying new and bold tastes is a good lesson for bringing daring and originality into all of our creative endeavors. As they say, “variety is the spice of life.” 

Spicy can also be exciting and suggestive. A spicy comment or joke is provocative or controversial. Such “spicy takes” often challenge conventional beliefs and ignite strong, passionate reactions from people. 

So, how can you make your work and approach to life spicier?  Let’s bring the heat!

Add some spice to your feed with this month’s hashtag #CMspicy. Follow along here.

PERSPECTIVE | KEITH RAMSEY | MARCH 2024

Keith Ramsey shared his perspective on the global theme of perspective with us this March using the tools of his shop and vast imagination. Learn more about Keith here: ramseyartworks.com

Thank you Frontier and new partners at Martin for keeping our engine of creativity going.

• Venue: Martin
• Videography  Antoine Robertson, @Christversal
• Photos Ayasha Sledge
• Full RISE Album Here

Special thanks our In-kind partners:  Worth Higgins & Associates, Lavender Hill, The Anderson Accounting & Advising Group.

Be sure to watch the full talk HERE.

MARCH -> PERSPECTIVE

Our global theme for March is PERSPECTIVE. It was chosen by our Fargo chapter and illustrated by Fred Gaye Wremeo. 

Every creative act is an attempt to share a unique perspective on some slice of the world. What you see — and how you see it — shapes your beliefs. So, what’s your point of view? And how are you putting it into your work? What was the last piece of music, writing, illustration, or film that opened a new window on the world for you? 

One of the most impactful artistic innovations was linear perspective; widely credited to Fillipo Brunelleschi in the early 14th century. This breakthrough enabled artists to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat canvas, paving the way for the ornate art and architecture of the Renaissance. Today, it feels like we are at another precipice with AI generated images and video. We don’t know how this rapidly emerging artistic tech will shape our perspectives. The machine is already capable of evoking real emotions. But only we can understand those feelings. 

Because seeing someone else’s point of view is uniquely human. Considering another perspective fosters empathy. And we all desperately need more empathy. Remember, looking at a problem from multiple angles generates more possible solutions. So, change your perspective and you can change your world.

Mark your calendars for Friday, March 15 and join your favorite morning people at Martin (106 Shockoe Slip) to talk about this month’s theme with a local creative and an interesting perspective.

NATIVE | Dr. Ram Bhagat | February 2024

“…The time has come, for us to work together, to make our world better.” Dr. Ram Bhagat is an educator, art innovator, international conflict resolution trainer, peace keeper and a community healer.

This February, Dr. B took us through his painful, yet fruitful, native journey. The loss of his brother in the 90s led to the organizing of a percussion ensemble called “Drums, No Guns” that has now become the Drums, No Guns Foundation - helping families of youth affected by gun violence.

NATIVE is a generative, transformative force. It takes us all connecting to NATIVE life to move forward as one:

N - Nomenclature
A - Ancestral Healing
T - Transformative Power of Story
I - Intuition, Imagination, Illumination
V - Veracity & Vulnerability
E - Emergent Ecosystems

Thank you to our partners at Frontier and Martin for the continued support that keeps us creative and inspired monthly.

• Venue: Chapel Scott’s Addition
• Videography  Toine Robertson of Christversal
• Photos Ayasha Sledge of Divine by Design Image
• Full NATIVE Album Here

Special thanks our In-kind partners this February:  Worth Higgins & Associates, Lavender Hill, The Anderson Accounting & Advising Group and the creative team at Chapel-Scott’s Addition.

Stay tuned for the full talk, captured by @Christversal, posting HERE.

February’s theme is NATIVE

Our theme for February is NATIVE. It was chosen by our Honolulu chapter and illustrated by Jack Soren.

Where you are from shapes who you are. Where you call home influences your worldview. Understanding the traditions of your ancestors can help answer the question, “where do I belong?” Your connections to a place and the past should rightfully be a source of great pride.

The unique customs, art, and languages of native cultures makes the tapestry of human civilization more vibrant. Yet many indigenous communities have faced marginalization, land dispossession, and cultural erasure. How much have we lost and what can be preserved?

By respecting and celebrating the traditions and achievements of native people everywhere, we can discover a deeper sense of connection and unity.

What does our history have to teach us? What can we learn from each other? Join us on February 16th as we unpack this theme in Richmond with Dr. Ram Bhagat.

(Read about the significance of the imagery in this month’s illustration in this post.)

RISE | Nicole Jones | January 2024

Nicole Jones shared her RISE Journey with our community to kick of 2024. Her passion for healing and truth shines bright in her work with the community in so many ways.

Thank you Frontier and new partners at Martin for keeping the lights on this year.

• Venue: The *NEW* Studio Two Three
• Videography  Double Take
• Photos Lauran Cronan
• Full RISE Album Here

Special thanks our In-kind partners this January:  Anthony Bryant (Sound Master DJ Ant Boogie), Worth Higgins & Associates, Lavender Hill, The Anderson Accounting & Advising Group and Studio Two Three.

Be sure to watch the full talk HERE.

Our theme for January is RISE. It was chosen by our Tampa Bay chapter and illustrated by Miss Crit.

The sun must set before it can rise. So, remember, every setback can be overcome. Each new challenge compels us to tap into our reservoirs of hope and determination. To live a fulfilling life, we must not wallow. We must rise. 

The phoenix rising from the ashes is such a juicy metaphor. The mystical bird’s fiery demise symbolizes the destruction of old expectations — and how it’s always been done. Every creative act is a transformation. Each new project is a rebirth. 

We rise from everything that came before. That’s why “rise up!” is a rally cry for the oppressed. But we should all be shouting, because our personal and collective empowerment are intricately linked. The rise of different voices creates a richer and more vibrant society. The goal is not reaching the top, it’s lifting each other up. 

Together, we rise higher.

Join us at Studio Two Three’s *NEW* location for a chat with Nicole Jones on January 19th! Tickets here.

*Be sure to check our social media channels for any changes by 7am on the morning of the event.