Erie Arts and Culture's February Creative Crowd Meetup

Patrick Fisher

The previous Creative Crowd meet up at Grounded Print Shop took place in June of 2022. This month's meetup co-hosted by Precious Thompson, Jess Royer, and Kelvin Sanchez will feature Erie Arts & Culture's Appreciation Award winners.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

What is it that can inspire us to create something original? Something that can take our ethos, our ideas, our point of view and translate it into art? The creative process is always fascinating to witness and, for many creative minds, challenging to their confidence. It is often through the encouragement and validation of creative peers that one's ideas can truly develop. It is with this thought in mind that Erie Arts and Culture has created and sustained their Creative Crowd monthly meet-ups which allow local artists the chance to network, create connections, and get inspired by other creative minds.

Creative Crowd monthly meet-ups are designed to provide a friendly and casual space to foster stronger personal and professional connections within the creative and cultural sector. Erie Arts and Culture has been hosting these events within local artistic spaces since February of 2021 and the program takes place regularly on the second Tuesday of every month at a rotating host site. This month's meet-up will be held at Grounded Print Shop, which is an interdisciplinary, contemporary print and papermaking shop/artist residency located in Erie's Little Italy neighborhood.

The parameters for being part of a Creative Crowd are very loose. In fact, these events are open to anyone who would like to participate, be inspired, and meet others who will support them through their creative endeavors. Each event in 2023 will be hosted by three artist co-hosts: Precious Thompson, Jess Royer, and Kelvin Sanchez, whose work spans the genres of art including: music, video game design, herbalism, photography, cinematography, clothing design, drawing, and graffiti. Clearly, these media cover a wide range of the creative sector, further indicating the inclusivity of the group. You do NOT have to be a "fine artist" to attend or benefit from the Creative Crowd gatherings, you simply have to have an interest in being creative and helping to foster creativity in others.

Co-host Precious Thompson comments on the benefits she has seen first hand from attending the meetups, "Creative Crowd serves as a gateway for those trying to break into the creative scene and also as a reminder for why creative and cultural endeavors are enriching for communities as a whole. I personally have connected with others who believed in my work even before I did, and have driven my career in art further than I ever thought it would go."

This month's event at Grounded Print Shop will also feature the recipients of Erie Arts and Culture's Appreciation Awards, which are given in five categories spanning the local creative world. This year's honorees include: City Gallery (Stephen Trohoske and Lena Logvina) receiving the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, Erie County Redevelopment Authority receiving the Leadership Award, Zach Flock of Dramashop receiving the Applause Award, Lourdes Jasso of the Inner City Neighborhood Art House receiving the Carla Hughes Art Educator Award, and artist Sue Amendolara receiving the Bruce Morton Wright Artist of the Year Award.

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. // Grounded Print Shop, 1902 Cherry St. // Free // For more information: erieartsandculture.org