Can a singer learn something from an actor? Can a comedian be inspired by a photographer? Can artists from two different mediums, with two different skill sets, benefit from forming a friendship with one another?
An organization called CreativeMornings believes the answer is a resounding “Yes.”
The group started in 2008 as the brainchild of a graphic artist who had recently moved to New York and desperately wanted to meet other like-minded folks in her new hometown. The concept was simple: breakfast and a short talk one Friday morning a month. Every event would be free of charge and open to anyone. This picture shows a recent meeting that took place in Raleigh.
Sixteen years later, the nonprofit has become the world’s largest face-to-face creative community, with monthly meetings taking place around the globe. And starting in September, a meeting will be held here in Wilmington.
“We have been approved by Thalian Hall. They’re allowing us to hold our first meeting there,” said Delia Stanley, a local musician who serves as the local chapter’s volunteer coordinator. “We will be getting speakers. Every month has a different theme. September’s theme is ‘Reflections.’ It’s really focused and aimed at other creative professionals and folks who just really want to be inspired, who want to meet other creatives and build a network, and then hopefully leave motivated to pursue and create something.”
Delia is part of a small group of people in town who came together to start the local chapter. It was not an easy project. The national organization wanted to know more about Wilmington and to ensure that this is a creative community that could support a local chapter. So, the local group, creative friends who have worked together on a variety of project, created a video that they sent off. They captured footage of some of the creative activities happening in the Cape Fear region: bands, poetry readings, art galleries, and the Wilmington film industry.
What they sent was enough to convince the people in New York to give Wilmington a try. CreativeMornings Wilmington will hold its first gathering on September 27th at Thalian Hall. The group is looking for volunteers to help work the doors, as well as sponsors willing to provide coffee and breakfast food.
Each gathering starts with some networking time, where creatives can meet each other. Artists don’t always like to admit it, but sometimes the creative world is not unlike the corporate world—where who you know can make all the difference. After the meet-and-greet, a speaker will deliver a presentation on the monthly topic, and the entire gathering will be wrapped up by 10 a.m.
Delia is confident that starting a local chapter will not only lead to people getting to know one another but also inspire them to create something together.
“I really think that creative thinking is what unites artists of different paths. And I think we have a lot to learn from each other. Not to mention that I often find that an artist is an artist is an artist. There are a lot of musicians in town who are also visual artists, or photographers who are also actors. There’s a lot of crossover here in Wilmington, so it just makes sense to bring everyone together.”
To learn more about the CreativeMornings Wilmington, check out the following links.
Email Address: Wilmington@creativemornings.com