December’s Theme is PAIN.

Ouch! That hurts. Pain is a warning. And a lesson. It teaches us what we should avoid. And just how much we can bear. 

There’s the pleasures of sadomasochism. The anguish of emotional trauma or physical abuse. The seemingly endless barrage of vitriol in the comments. The grief of losing a loved one. The immense destruction and psychological toll caused by so many geopolitical conflicts happening around the world. 

Our Lviv chapter in Ukraine knows the pain of war. As they wrote when they chose this month’s theme, “Our collective pain is now close to unbearable. They say what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. We hope whoever said that is right.” 

Muscles grow stronger after exercise tears the tiny fibers of muscle cells and the body repairs those damaged fibers. We know that physical wounds can heal with time and proper care. But we often ignore the fact that emotional pain can too. 

If you need a little relief from whatever pain you’re carrying, talk to someone, make something, or help someone else in need.  

Pain can point the way to growth.

Our Lviv chapter chose this month’s exploration of Pain and Marta Koshulinska illustrated the theme.

November’s Theme is RHYTHM.

What rhythms set your pace? A celestial rhythm is pulsing all around us. The earth spins. The sun rises and sets. The moon pulls and releases the tides twice every day. The seasons loop each year. Natural, constant patterns of back-and-forth. But we also live amidst the unnatural rhythms of flickering fluorescent lights, pinging notifications, and vehicles idling at traffic signals. Rhythm can light you up or burn you out. 

Rhythm is the heartbeat of creativity. It provides the structure we crave; a framework for ideas to take shape. By recognizing patterns and breaking them, we can find our unique voice. 

Rhythm serves as a catalyst for the power of a dancer’s movement. The pacing of a poet’s sentences. The cadence of an actor’s voice. The timing of a comedian’s punchline. The strokes of a painter’s brush. The meter of a musician’s notes. All that creativity just keeps going and flowing. Rat-a-tat-tat. Tap into your own rhythm and follow wherever it takes you. 

How do you keep your own beat? Listen to your breath. Listen to your heart.

Our Basel chapter chose this month’s exploration of Rhythm and Patrizia Stalder illustrated the theme.

BONUS 8TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! 🥳

Join us at White Rock Brewing Company in celebrating milestones at our “Retro Rewind & Reveal” party with AIGA DFW!

This free event is open to everyone in the DFW creative community.

🎟️ Please register for free tickets.

So what are we celebrating? 🎉🤔

REWIND: CreativeMornings/Dallas is celebrating our 8th birthday! After reflecting on years of inspiring talks from designers, artists, entrepreneurs, and social innovators, we want to end things with a bang. We’ll celebrate CreativeMornings’s global theme of “Endurance” with all the necessities of a great birthday party: complimentary sweets, camaraderie, and balloons!

REVEAL: AIGA DFW is stoked to reveal The Deck ‘23: a limited edition ‘80s themed deck of cards by 54 designers, in clever packaging by Balcom Agency on gorgeous paper from Lindenmeyr Munroe printed by the wildly talented crew at Blanks. Join us as we unveil “The Deck 2023: Hit Songs of the 80s” for the first time, and pick up your own copy of this limited edition retro-music-inspired card deck.

Come relax after work, make creative friends, and enjoy a night of libations, ‘80s karaoke, and new conversations – preferably while wearing your favorite ‘80s accessory for what should be a totally rad night!

October’s Theme is Endurance.

Endurance is the unwavering flame that burns within us, illuminating a path through darkness and uncertainty. It is the quiet strength that emerges when challenges test our limits, urging us to push beyond what we thought possible. Endurance is not a mere moment but a relentless spirit that whispers, “keep going” when the world feels heavy.

Life’s journey is marked by peaks and valleys, and it is endurance that sustains us during the uphill climbs. It teaches us that setbacks are not defeats but stepping stones towards growth and resilience. With each obstacle we conquer, our spirits grow stronger, and our determination becomes unshakable.

In a world that values instant gratification, endurance is a reminder that the most rewarding victories are born from patience and perseverance. It is the ability to rise, even when we fall, and to embrace the transformative power of persistence. So, let us celebrate the tenacity that resides within us, for in the face of adversity, it is endurance that leads us towards the summit of our potential.
Our Timisoara chapter chose this month’s exploration of Endurance and Ana Kun illustrated the theme. 

In the design traditions of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism, the paring down of possessions creates a greater sense of tranquility and ease. Simplicity invites us to imagine how rich we might feel when we make do with less. 

But put another way, what if we imagined simplicity not in terms of absence but essence? In a world of confounding variables, layers of additional nuance and context, and the mind-boggling complexity of systems upon interdependent systems, simplicity drives us to get to the deep core of the matter. The etymological roots of simplicity refers to a single, indivisible nature. The heart unifies the whole. 

Where can you exercise restraint and streamline excess? How will you find clarity amidst chaos? 
Our Gothenburg chapter chose this month’s exploration of Simplicity and Jessica Jämting illustrated the theme.  

August’s Theme is Pride

Pride is a celebration of our truest, radiant selves and a defiance against those who expect us to dim our own light. We live in a world that often encourages us to take up less space, to conceal the parts of ourselves that can’t be easily commodified or consumed. Or worse, what we reveal exposes us to oppressive actors and systems who steal away our dignity. 

Pride is a powerful affirmation of authenticity. It gives us the grace to show up as ourselves and live in alignment with our values. It embraces every shade of our longings, our regrets, and our hopes — these beautiful and powerful things that make us who we are. 

Pride is when you stand tall and say, “This is who I am.” Pride is when you reclaim the parts of your identity that others might have scorned. Pride is when you raise your voice in defense of someone who is powerless, saying “Enough.” Because that someone might just be yourself. How will you unfurl yourself fully? How will you extend safety and solidarity so that we all may be unapologetically ourselves?Our Palm Beach chapter chose this month’s exploration of Pride and Kayla Griffin illustrated the theme.   

Hope you can join us Friday, August 25th at the new Meow Wolf in Grapevine!

Meet Our New Host, Nikki Koenig

Meet Nikki Koenig, the new host of CreativeMornings Dallas. A long time attendee of our chapter, she’s jumping into the role with gusto!

Nikki has called Dallas home for 28 years. She loves to travel and hopes to one day scuba dive. However, home is her favorite place to be, where she starts each day with a Vietnamese coffee. 

We asked her some questions to learn more about her.

What’s something you’re looking forward to doing with CreativeMornings?
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in person again and giving hugs and high fives!

Did you always identify as a creative/artist?
I feel very fortunate to have had parents who supported and encouraged my creativity from a young age. They claimed I was born artistic and even as a child could draw very well. I’m really thankful that I’ve been able to live a creative life following my passions and purpose. 

What is your favorite achievement?
Starting my eco-conscious & ethical fashion company, Cykochik, from an art project in college 20 years ago.

Who has inspired you in your career?

Willie Baronet has been my boss, friend, and mentor for almost 20 years. On top of that, he’s the one who introduced me to CreativeMornings!

What do you think makes Dallas special?
Our central location in the country, a vibrant international metropolitan, cultural diversity, and the arts!

Favorite place to get inspired?
Outdoors at the many lakes, parks, and nature trails in and around Dallas.

Do you have any Dallas bucket list items?
Cycling from downtown Dallas to downtown FW round trip 

Fun Facts

Favorite Food: Dumplings 🥟
First Album You Bought: Music Box by Mariah Carey 🎵
Astrology Sign: Taurus ♉
Feels Most Creative: At night 🌙
Favorite Quote: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony” Mahatma Gandhi
Best advice: “Perfect is the enemy of good” - Voltaire

Connect with Nikki

Instagram:@nikocreative
Website: nikkikoenig.com
CreativeMornings: https://creativemornings.com/individuals/nikocreative

Whether holidays, birthdays, or just because- it’s a great idea to support local creatives when you give a gift. Here are a few awesome things to add to your list!

Val Jean-Bart bakes his cheesecake with love, grace, dignity, and respect. Buy these cute jars individually or by the dozen.Val’s Cheesecakes

At CreativeMornings, we all love Fridays. Let your mug say it for you: is it Friday yet? Talking Out of Turn has the cutest mugs for your morning beverages.

Talking Out of Turn

What are your plans for 2023? This poster by lettering artist Jessica Molina will keep you going!

Jessica Molina

Everyone needs a good tote bag. Pick up this artistic piece by Dora Zeneth Reynosa for your everyday adventures.

Dora Zeneth Reynosa

Do you prefer your chocolate to be delightful or delicious? At Coco André you don’t have to choose: everything is exquisite.

Coco André

Eat your veggies! This colorful towel will add life to your kitchen and inspire some healthy snacking. Created by Colorsnack artist Volta Voloshin-Smith.

Colorsnack

Looking for something unique and one of a kind? Check out the fun illustrations at Dowdy Studio. Sure to have something for everyone.

Dowdy Studio

Need to get sh*t done? This is for you! Be unstoppable with the Productive AF Notepad. 

Manifest Your Purpose

Oak Cliff artist Kyle Steed teaches us to embrace and discover the benefits of boredom and realize your full potential. Not just for kids!

A Kids Book About Boredom

Button up! Artist Breanna Cooke offers a line of buttons- find the one that fits you. (Artwork is Work. That’s 💯 in our book!)

Breanna Cooke

Excited to partner with Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters for this month’s CreativeMornings. 

We are often asked how we came up with the name Noble Coyote. Ethical trade and sustainability are very important to us. In the coffee world, a “coyote” is a middleman who purchases coffee from farmers. In a commodity market, coyotes buy low and sell high, to the detriment of the farmers who grow the coffee. We try to purchase coffee from importers who not only compensate farmers fairly, but invest in those farmers in order to improve their lives.

NOBLE COYOTES ARE MIDDLEMEN WHO AID, SUPPORT, AND INVEST IN THE FARMERS WHO SUPPLY THEM. AS A COFFEE ROASTER PURCHASING GREEN COFFEE, WE STRIVE TO BE NOBLE COYOTES BY SUPPORTING FARMERS AND IMPORTERS WHO PRACTICE THESE VALUES.

Participating in community organizations and events is also important to us. We are thankful to have the opportunity to work closely with amazing local programs that invest in people, such as Cafe Momentum and Meat Fight. Giving back to the community that helps support our efforts completes a circle for us.

Planning your ride to Friday’s CreativeMornings? Here’s what you need to know!

DART
Thanks-Giving Square is easily accessed by DART (public transit); click here to plan your trip. For light rail take the Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line or Orange Line to Akard Station and cross Akard Street.

BIKES
Bicycle parking is provided on the sidewalk along Pacific Avenue. Look for the large metal rings and signage near the mid-block Pacific Avenue crosswalk. Bicycles and scooters are not permitted in the garden area.

PARKING
Metered street parking and several parking facilities are within a close walk of the Square- be mindful of signs to be sure the meter is available for the duration of the event. Two paid parking garages are available close to Thanksgiving Square.