"There’s a particular smell to a forest fire," Kristin Swoszowski-Tran told the room. "It’s not just smoke. It’s memory burning. The trees you thought would outlive you, all turning into something unrecognizable."

When faced with loss and devastation, what smoldering EMBER of possibility remains?

Over coffee from CrashMurderBusiness and bagels from Out Of This World Bagel, we heard different answers take shape. 

For Katy Yanda, it began in the Chacon Valley where her off-grid home was the only structure in the community to burn. She spoke of “gathering the embers for meaning and making,” and a zinc roof that melted into something unexpectedly beautiful—an actual silver lining. It now hangs on the wall of her current family home. What she carries forward lives in practice: showing up for people, making eye contact, thanking others, and choosing to keep making. “If we are lucky, we can grow again as something different,” she offered.

In the weeks after the fire destroyed her home, Anita Moss stayed behind in the canyon with intermittent cell service, no grocery stores, and no delivery trucks. With only one road in and out, leaving meant you couldn’t come back. When the fire took her art supplies, she began again with what was available: photography. She carries forward the discipline to begin again. “Building new is easier than building on to,” she noted, a reflection on both her literal house and her creative life. 

After evacuating her farm—loading horses, dogs, a cat, and yaks into three trailers—Kristin Swoszowski-Tran lived in a rodeo arena with her animals. Following a thread of curiosity, she learned everything she could about biochar, the “overachiever of burnt things.” That led to a New Mexico Healthy Soil Program grant and new partnerships, from rebuilding adobe homes to strengthening regional food systems. What she carries forward is both practical and expansive: curiosity, collaboration, and the understanding that what we build after hardship matters.

Host Tracy Sprinkle offered a bridge between these stories and the community holding them. When his home in the Cebolla Pass was in danger, he designed a t-shirt that raised $12,000 for the Mora County fire department. Little did he know that t-shirt would reach Lana, a stranger who would become his partner and one of the first CreativeMornings Santa Fe volunteers. 

“A t-shirt that I designed during the worst six weeks of my life is what connected us, which means the fire is part of how CreativeMornings Santa Fe came to exist.”

Musician and songwriter Lucy Barna finished the morning the way she opened it, with music and with change. Her reflection on ember moved through release rather than holding on; a reminder to let go and cherish the goodbyes. 

Before we wrapped up, we celebrated Barb O’Dell, the winner of a door prize basket filled with handmade goods from our speakers. 

While fire destroys, it also reveals what is essential. As creatives, we take what we are given, and we make.

Five people stood up for 30-Second Pitches. See what’s brewing, and get their contact info here.

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Watch Katy, Anita, and Kristin's talk.

Check out April's Flickr Album.

Photos by Ivan Barnett, Marisa Gjurgevich, and Kerry Kehoe.

Video by SpaceHelmetPictures.

Five CreativeMornings members had 30 seconds to pitch a project, service, or event. Here's a recap:

JESHAKA
Abstract Picnic
Abstract Picnic is a local art collective and they’re hosting a group art show and event at Relay over Memorial Day weekend. Two weeks later, you’ll find them at the Railyards, throwing a community picnic on June 6th from noon-2pm. Bring a dish or just show up. All are welcome to both!

Amy Jane
Santa Fe Community Yoga
Santa Fe’s only nonprofit yoga studio is celebrating their 30th anniversary on May 2nd from noon-6pm! Join them for classes, ice cream, an artisan market, and more. They’re also having a yoga festival on September 20th at Santa Fe Brewing at The Bridge with artisans and vendors.

Calli Beck
The Audiophile’s Listening Party
On the first Thursday of each month, Calli hosts an "antisocial social event” at Relay in Santa Fe. From 7-10pm, people sit in silence to listen to an album from front to back, then talk about it (or just catch up with friends). On May 7th it’ll be “Pet Sounds” by The Beach Boys. $10 suggested donation.

Korie Leigh
Willow Ritual
In New Mexico, childhood bereavement rates are among the highest in the country. Dr. Korie Leigh works at the intersection of grief, creativity, and community to help people move from avoidance to participation. Her work includes grief support, keynotes, retreats, and workshops.

Bud Weeks
Santa Fe Improv
Since 2009, Santa Fe Improv has been part of the thriving arts education community in Santa Fe. Operating as a nonprofit, it teaches communication skills and the art of improvisation to teens and adults. Come on down to watch a show or take a class—and get ready to laugh your a$$ off.

Our theme for April is EMBER. 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.

Watch this video from our Poulsbo chapter for more on what ember means to them.

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

Our March event around the theme LOCAL was marked by record attendance, lots of laughs, and two glittery pageant sashes. Musical guest Michael Tait Tafoya opened the morning with his distinctly local style, blending Spanish classical, flamenco, and modern guitar.

Before Mayor Michael J. Garcia took the mic, there was an important agenda item: the ice breaker quiz.

Attendees competed for the title of Santa Fe’s Most Local Local by checking off “only in Santa Fe” milestones. It turns out, many people have tailgated at the opera, but only one admitted to their car ending up in the arroyo. With 38 check marks each, the competition ended in a tie between attendee Liesette Bailey and… the mayor! Both donned “Most Local Local” sashes to celebrate their victories.

When the mayor took the floor (his sash safely stowed), he offered his definition of local:

A sense of place, traditions, culture, and service to the community.

Sense of place started at his grandmother’s house, where he spent every Saturday morning there as a kid helping out. Now he lives in that same home raising his own children.

On traditions, he brought us to Christmas Eve with farolitos. “I wouldn’t say I was a pyromaniac,” he joked, remembering how much he loved being outside with them. That tradition continues with his own kids today.

Culture included a younger Garcia trying to blend into hip hop, name-checking A Tribe Called Quest, and eventually returning to the decks as “DJ Spaghetti.” His point stayed consistent: you must embrace and honor whatever the local culture is.

Then came service, which included his contribution to revitalizing an Albuquerque neighborhood and cleaning out acequias—an annual effort he described as a way of life that’s unpaid, communal, and necessary so “life can continue on.”

Garcia admitted he never planned to be an elected official, asserting, “I like my privacy.” But he felt pulled toward policy-making to ensure community voices were heard. Now in his first term as mayor, he creates space for conversations on local land ownership so the "little guy" has a voice in the future.

When asked how he supports Santa Fe being named the most creative city in the country, the mayor emphasized his priority to partner with local entities, providing resources and opportunities. He closed with a playful warning:

“Watch out New York, watch out LA!”

Door prize winner Pam Granata took home a silver Zia necklace from ACL Jewelry.

Thank you to CrashMurderBusiness for the coffee and to The City of Santa Fe Economic Development Department for the green chile breakfast burritos from El Parasol.

And a special thanks to Jeshaka for creating this month's Sketch Notes! 

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Watch Mayor Garcia’s talk.

Check out March’s Flickr Album.

Photos by Ivan Barnett and Marisa Gjurgevich, and Kerry Kehoe.

Video by SpaceHelmetPictures and Alexander Webb.

Our theme for March is LOCAL. It was chosen by our Santos chapter in Brazil and illustrated by Simone Matias.

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

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.

Not even falling snow could deter people from showing up for Amy Lin’s talk on this month’s theme: CAMINO. Live Latin beats filled the room as attendees grabbed coffee from CrashMurderBusiness and baked goods from Chocolate Maven.

Behind the guitar sat Sonido Nómade, bringing the atmospheric sounds of his native Puerto Rico to our CreativeMornings home at CCA. 

Before Amy took the mic, the audience considered the icebreaker question: What is your superpower, and how did your journey shape it?

Amy’s superpower is salvaging. She wastes nothing—not materials, not opportunities, not even a sprained ankle on the Camino de Santiago.

Emigrating from Taiwan to Hollywood with her mom at age three, Amy spent much of her childhood moving around. Their slightly nomadic lifestyle often left them light on furniture, so Amy started making her own. Out of cardboard.

That practice of giving old materials new life followed her into adulthood, and eventually into one of her defining projects: helping architect the Tesque Pueblo seed bank in Santa Fe, built almost entirely from salvaged and natural materials.

Then the Camino called.

Last year, Amy set out on the Camino del Norte with 30 days and 430 miles ahead of her. A self-described non-morning person, the first pre-dawn morning caught her by surprise: I had no idea mornings were this beautiful.

Midway through the journey, while snapping a photo, she sprained her ankle. Many would have stopped, but Amy kept going… very, very slowly. Why? She didn't quite know. After returning home, she reflected on some of the wisdom she collected along the way:

“The Camino provides what you need, not what you seek.”

“Walk slowly, don’t rush. The place you have to reach is yourself.” (Sage advice, if a little late.)

Amy had set out to walk the Camino, but instead, she salvaged it.

Salvaging what’s old and forgotten and seeing what it could become is her calling card. Today she’s building a startup by transforming what we flush into what she enthusiastically calls "brown gold." Amy reminds us, ”Sewage is waste, but compost is a resource. One can make us sick, and one can help us heal the planet.”

Caminante, no hay camino. Se hace camino al andar.
“Wanderer, there is no path. You make the path by walking.”

We had two door prize winners this month. Bob Vladem won a curved origami art piece made by Amy (from salvaged materials, of course), and Brooke Gilder won a gift certificate for Chatter Productions, one of our beloved sponsors.

Shout-out to we. grow. eco. for supplying our beautiful scalloped shell nametags made from discarded cotton.

Watch Amy’s talk.

Check out February’s Flickr Album.

Photos by Ivan Barnett, Kerry Kehoe and Kaela Waldstein.

Video by SpaceHelmetPictures.

P.S. Want to volunteer with us? We have open roles for a Social Media Manager, Videographer, and General Admin. To be considered, please fill out a volunteer application.

Our theme for February is CAMINO. It was chosen by our Oviedo chapter in Asturias, Spain and illustrated by Marta Vila.

Camino (pronounced Kah-Mee-Noh) is a Spanish word meaning “path” or “way.”

Watch this video from our Oviedo chapter for more on what camino means to them.

So, what path are you on? If you’re feeling stuck, try moving your body to unlock your brain. Talk a walk, doodle, or sing. Soon, the way will reveal itself. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, slow down and focus on your next step.

You don’t have to know exactly where your path leads, just trust that you’ll learn what you need along the way. Wherever you are headed, we wish you, as they say in Oviedo, “buen camino.” May you have a safe and meaningful journey.

Eight CreativeMornings members took to the stage on January 16th to pitch a project, service, or event. With only 30 seconds of airtime, a detail or two may have passed you by, so here's a recap:

Tara Tovarek
Golden Pictures
Tara is looking for grants and donors for “Seeds of Peace,” a family-friendly TV show that promotes movement, joy, fitness, and peaceful harmony through dance. It’s already on Michelle Obama’s watchlist (she endorsed the project!).

Natalie Davis
Natalie Davis Coaching
Natalie is a leadership coach for creatives and execs, offering a complimentary coaching call for folks in transition or in need of clarity and accountability.

JESHAKA
Abstract Picnic- “Life’s a Picnic!”
Jeshaka is the creative director behind a new mural at the Santa Fe Railyards. “Life’s a Picnic!” will be displayed through September, 2026, so get yourself out to the Railyards for a peek… and stay tuned for upcoming events!

Sigrid Moses-Jacobsen
Three Kings
Inspired by the Epiphany ritual from Denmark, Three Kings is a handcrafted sensorial experience to welcome the new year with wonder, togetherness, and hope. It comes in a box and unfolds slowly over an evening in your own home. Available for order through March.

Monty Montgomery
Space Helmet Pictures
A musician-turned-filmmaker, Monty produces music videos and concert films, as well as corporate videos for local Santa Fe businesses. From development to post-production, Space Helmet Pictures combines artistic integrity with professional execution.

Kelechi Agwuncha
Breath to Breath
“Breath to Breath” is a documentary short by multi-media artist Kelechi. Currently in production, it follows Phoenix Savage’s work to bring trauma-informed yoga to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women in New Mexico.

Theresa Stone
Join a free concert and documentary filming of “The Big New-Mex Review” at Tumbleroot on 1/28. Then make your way to the Center for Contemporary Arts on 2/14 for a Valentine-themed evening of opera, art, and connection hosted by the Santa Fe Opera Guild.

Zak Hardage
Hardage & Hardage
Accessible website design creates an inclusive experience for all users… and it’s good for business. If yours isn’t designed for accessibility (or you’re not sure), Zak is offering a free audit!

We kicked off 2026 with a packed house and a wait list. Before claiming an empty seat, people lingered just long enough to grab a cup of CrashMurderBusiness coffee and a delectable treat from Santa Fe Sconery—a bakery proving that scones can be moist, flaky, and packed with inventive flavor combos.

January’s theme was KOORSO, which means “a faint glimmer of hope” in Farsi. But when artist and educator Phoenix Savage took to the mic, she rejected the word hope entirely.

“Hope,” she said, “is powerless. It doesn’t offer the user any agency.” Instead, Phoenix proposed something more demanding: trust.

Trust, she explained, is a quiet, internal certainty that doesn’t outsource responsibility. Unlike hope, it requires participation.

This distinction matters because language shapes what we believe, how we act, and what we believe is possible. Phoenix spent a year in Nigeria as a Fulbright Fellow studying traditional Yoruba philosophy, where words are understood as active forces that help create reality. In Yoruba, the word ase represents the power of the spoken word. 

Phoenix also introduced the concept of the head—ori—as more than anatomy. In Yoruba philosophy, the head is destiny. There’s a saying that translates to “I picked a good head,” a reminder that destiny isn’t assigned so much as chosen. As Phoenix put it, “It’s my job to ensure the best possible outcomes by honoring my head when I wake up.”

Her art reflects this same philosophy. She creates work that asks viewers to participate rather than observe. Heads and ears appear throughout, including a collection of ear sculptures that quite literally talk back, responding to the audience with mo gbo, which means, “I hear you.”

Koorsoo, reimagined as trust, isn’t passive. It asks us to choose our words carefully, act with intention, and stay aligned with our destiny. 

Celina Hunt won the door prize—a free, hour-long psychic reading with Phoenix.

The morning closed with an icebreaker that carried the theme forward. The ask: write down a word, a quote, or a phrase you trust when things feel uncertain. The cards were collected and randomly redistributed—no names, just words to carry. One member read hers and said, “Wow, this was meant for me.”

It read: Flow with grace.

Eight people stood up for 30-Second Pitches. See what’s brewing, and get their contact info here.

And a huge thank you to Jeshaka for creating this month's incredible Sketch Notes! 

Watch Phoenix’s talk.

Check out January’s Flickr Album.

Photos by Ivan Barnett and Marisa Gjurgevich.

Video by SpaceHelmetPictures.

At CreativeMornings Santa Fe, community and creativity go hand in hand with care for our planet. That’s why we provide the coffee but ask our community to BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug). It’s a simple invitation that reflects a bigger commitment to sustainability and shared responsibility.

Bringing your own mug helps reduce single-use waste and keeps dozens (sometimes hundreds!) of disposable cups out of the landfill each month. It’s a small habit shift, but when practiced together as a community, it adds up in meaningful ways. Plus, we love seeing the variety of mugs people bring—handmade ceramics, travel companions, favorite chipped classics—each one with a story.

Forgot your mug? No worries. We keep a mug library on hand so everyone can still enjoy their coffee. Borrow one, return it, and maybe even discover a new favorite. But whenever you can, BYOM. It’s one more way we can gather thoughtfully, sip intentionally, and build a more sustainable Santa Fe—one cup at a time.

☕💛