We’re so excited to be a part of CreativeMornings' Release Day!

This 24-hour celebration gives creative people a collective framework for releasing their work into the world! It’s a shared deadline for individual projects.

Next month's event will look a little different.

Instead of one speaker, we’re celebrating all the things that make our local community creative with a series of short talks and a showcase of your projects.

📋 Apply for a spot by May 3.  

Bring your creative works in progress, daydreams, and masterpieces to the MAH on May 29 at 8:30-10AM and share them with our community.

You have two choices for showcasing your work:

🧡 GO LIVE: Get up on the mic and share your 2-minute, one slide, live presentation

🧡 SHOW & TELL: Showcase your work in the Atrium while people are mingling before the talks. Like a science fair!

🖌️ WHAT KIND OF PROJECT CAN YOU SHARE? 

Whether you participate in Release Day by making visual art, documenting a new daily habit, playing music, learning a new dance routine, writing poetry, nurturing your garden, or practicing acts of kindness, you can share it with the CMSC community!

👉 Messy is welcome. WIPs are wonderful.

👉 We're looking for submissions that highlight both your projects and the creative processes behind them. Share details of your work and describe how your ideas and execution are evolving.

👉 Whether it's a project you're aiming to complete by May 29, something still in the works, or a hobby that keeps your creativity flowing, we want to see it and know more about how it makes you FEEL. How has it changed you? How has it challenged you? What have you learned from it?

✨ This is gonna be so much fun!

Fill out this form to apply for a spot. 

🚨 Submissions will close on May 3 at midnight!

Our theme for April is EMBER. It was chosen by our Poulsbo chapter in Washington and illustrated by Sarah Gordon.

Our next event will be on Friday April 24 at the MAH, and registration opens on April 13. 

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.

We know EMBER is a poignant theme for town that is still recovering from the CZU fires and building resilience - in ourselves, our soil, our homes - as we face a climate reality that includes the threat of megafires. We have a talk lined up that is just quietly smoldering away ready to ignite something in you.

CreativeMornings Poulsbo had this to say about the significance of this month's theme:

“Embers represent the quiet, enduring remnants of fire—what remains after the intensity fades. They carry a smoldering potential, a subtle strength that holds heat long after the flames have gone. As a quieter community outside the city, we may not always burn the brightest, but we never burn out. Our spark lives in reflection, resilience, and the space we have to pause, think, and grow.

In those calm moments, we find what many others miss: the steady glow of ideas, relationships, and dreams that don’t need noise to thrive. Embers remind us that even after challenges or change, something powerful remains—ready to reignite when needed. We hold that same quiet fire within ourselves, and in community with each other, we kindle more.

Together, we tend the quiet fire—fueling one another through presence, care, and shared warmth.”

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?

Songs Curated by Our Community

Listen to songs about burning embers, old flames, and the quiet strength glowing deep inside you. You can even add a song related to ember that lights you up! Enjoy our global, collaborative playlist for April’s theme.

We're stoked that this month's theme is LOCAL because, well...how could you not be stoked to be a local in Santa Cruz?

You might feel like a local at the base of a familiar redwood, on a well worn dancefloor, or starting your day with a locally roasted coffee (shoutout to our friends at Verve!) while watching pelicans dive for their breakfast.

Feeling like a local can also look like inviting people in: cultivating your sense of belonging by showing up for the people and scenes you can't live without. Local is more than just living somewhere; it’s being in reciprocity with your hometown.

We're excited to have a local thought leader, musician, consultant and mentor as our next speaker on March 27: Thomas Sage Pedersen. 

Meet Thomas Sage Pedersen: our speaker for LOCAL on March 27

Thomas Sage Pedersen makes waves in the intersection of art, music, leadership and social activism. As the founder of the award-winning Everyone's Music School, he has transformed music education with the help of his amazing team. He is also an author with first book coming in 2027. Pedersen's influence extends to the digital world as the visionary host of the Speak For Change Podcast, where he amplifies BIPOC and transformative voices, fostering global dialogue and understanding.

His activism has led to pivotal roles in organizations dedicated to racial justice and equity. He is a multi instrumentalist and composer, As a co-founder of Ignite Nexus, Pedersen is at the forefront of creating inclusive, authentic cultural experiences through innovative services in consulting, coaching, and media production. Thomas Sage Pedersen is not just a name but a force driving positive change and community empowerment.

Here are a couple of ways to feel like a true local in the CMSC community:

• Volunteer on Event Day. Fill out this quick form.
• Pitch an idea or business on the mic. Email santacruz@creativemornings.com if you're interested. There are only 2 spots left this month!
• Collaboration Station: Fill out a form at the event with an ask or offer, and see who bites! Then make magic together.
• Partner with us! Contact Emily at santacruz@creativemornings.com.

See you next Friday! Register here.

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

We'll see you at the MAH on March 27 - Save the Date!

Everyone is welcome, whether you've been a local since birth, since time immemorial, since your days as a UCSC undergrad, or since last month!

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

Our Santos chapter had this to say about the significance of this month's theme:

“We are proud to be from Santos. The feeling of loving the city but sometimes moving away. The benefits of belonging somewhere.”

Watch this video from our Santos chapter for more on what local means to them.

A few things to ponder this month:

How does where you’re from define who you are?

How do different spaces foster a 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.

Every path starts with a first step, and we hope you'll join us at our inaugural event next Friday, Feb. 27.

This month's theme is CAMINO, and we'll be learning about how travel, and bringing the mindset of a traveler into your everyday life, can transform burnout into buzz. 

These days many of us are feeling like the path is treacherous and the destination is obscure. But we know that together we can keep marauders and wild beasts at bay, share sustenance, and sing along to the rhythm of our footsteps. In community, it's a bit easier to embrace the unknown with curiosity instead of dread. 

Meet the Speaker: Lisa Marie Howe

Lisa Marie Howe, LCSW is stone-cold serious about leisure. A dancer, photographer, hot springs enthusiast, amateur tide pooler, and thrift store connoisseur, Lisa Marie also finds time to be a therapist in private practice and palliative care social worker.

Lisa Marie, an avid traveler, has been to over 40 countries, most of them by herself, and believes in the unique power of solo travel to help individuals realize their full potential. Applying a framework similar to that of the intentional use of psychedelics, Lisa Marie helps others enhance the transformational nature of travel.

Check her out at lisamariehowe.com and @lisa.marie.howe

Walk the Path Boldly

This community is co-created with each person who shows up. Here are a couple of ways to make the most of your CMSC journey:

• Volunteer on Event Day. Fill out this quick form
• Give a rapid pitch. Email santacruz@creativemornings.com if you're interested. There are only 5 spots available each month.
• Collaboration Station. Fill out a form at the event with an ask or offer, and see who bites! Then make magic together.

See you next Friday! Register here. 

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.”

Our Oviedo chapter had this to say about the significance of this month's theme:

"It’s inspired by the centuries-old pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago, which passes through our region in Asturias and has been a symbol of journey, discovery, and transformation for generations.”

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.” 

Take your ears on a journey with our playlist for February's theme CAMINO on the CreativeMornings blog. You can even add a song that reminds you of CAMINO (meaning “path” or “way”).

We're taking our first steps as a community, and we're grateful that you're coming along. 

Join us for our first event on February 27, 8:30-10:00AM at the MAH.

Volunteers Wanted

We are still looking for a few amazing volunteers to help us create a memorable event! Our chapter is 100% run by local volunteers who love our city and want to make it even better. Sign up here.

Help us create the kind of community you want to be a part of. 

We so desperately need supportive, uplifting, diverse spaces to connect and get each other through these tense times. Our first event is coming up on February 27 at the MAH, and we are looking for an amazing team of event day volunteers. Sign up!

Every single person involved in CreativeMornings Santa Cruz is doing this because they believe in it, not because they're getting paid. From the organizers to the speakers, we're in it for the feels 🥰 not the Benjamins.

As the Creative Mornings manifesto puts it: 

"We believe in the power of community. We believe in giving a damn. We believe in face to face connections, in learning from others, in hugs and high fives."

Want to be a part of making it happen?

We are looking for a team of event day volunteers on the last Friday of each month to help this event feel welcoming, run smoothly, and leave a lasting impression on our community.

Volunteers should be available between 7:45-10:30AM on the day of the event; however, shift times may change depending on your role.

Fill out this quick form and we'll be in touch to confirm your participation.

Hugs and high fives,

🧡 Emily and the CMSC team

We're looking for local creatives who can make a room full of people laugh, cry, take action, or make a tiny but meaningful change in their creative lives.

Do you know of a creative person who has a unique story to share?

Nominate them to speak at an upcoming event. Or nominate yourself - no shade! Tooting your own horn is 100% welcome, as long as you're doing it in the spirit of sharing and creative inspiration.

With free events happening at the MAH on the last Friday of each month beginning on February 27, 2026, we are building the capacity of our local creative community through free, monthly breakfast lectures highlighting the many creative gems living and working in Santa Cruz County.

While it's against the CreativeMornings rules to pay speakers (we're 100% volunteer run), we can do tip jars, venmo QR codes, and speakers are welcome to sell or promote paid products or services.

What we're looking for:

• An uplifting and engaging 20 minute talk (we'll coach you!)
• Powerpoint slides (our team can help out if visual design isn't your strength)
• Ability to be ON at 8:30AM! ☕️
• Willingness to field audience questions in a Q&A
• All speakers share a photo, bio, and any relevant handles or links, and agree to help spread the word about their participation.

Watch a CreativeMornings talk here to get a better sense of what we’re creating.

Past speakers have included activists, painters, pschyologists, musicians, journalists, engineers, dancers...EVERYONE IS CREATIVE.

Want some big names? Check out talks by Jad Abumrad, Moby, Esther Perel, Simon Sinek….or just browse the most popular talks since CM started in 2008.

Fill in this quick form, and reach out to us at  santacruz@creativemornings.com if you have questions.

Welcome to Creative Mornings Santa Cruz! We’re excited to join over 250 CreativeMornings chapters around the world in celebrating creativity in all its forms. We are building a vibrant new creative community in Santa Cruz that crosses disciplines: everyone is creative, and everyone is welcome.

Join our Community! Create a profile and make Santa Cruz your home chapter. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to be the first to hear about our inaugural event.

What is CreativeMornings?

• A free, live, monthly breakfast lecture series.
• Founded in 2008 in New York, CreativeMornings has grown into the world’s largest face-to-face creative community.
• Each month features a short lecture by a local innovator, framed by opportunities to socialize and spark new connections.
• CreativeMornings draws attendees and speakers not strictly from “creative” fields; it includes anyone driven by passion and purpose.
• Live lectures are video-recorded and shared on the CreativeMornings online platform.

CreativeMornings Santa Cruz was born out of a love of this town as well as a desire to see our creative community unite and cross-pollinate. From Bonny Doon to Watsonville, our county is full of artists, innovators, and people making inspired choices in the ways they approach their lives and their work. Our goal is to bring them together IRL and…watch the magic happen!

Our Team

CreativeMornings Santa Cruz is 100% volunteer run. From our event producers to our speakers, the people who make CreativeMornings happen are in it for the feels, not for the Benajamins. As the CreativeMornings Manifesto says:

We believe in the power of community. We believe in giving a damn. We believe in face-to-face connections, in learning from others, in hugs and high fives.

You can learn more about us by visiting the “TEAM” sidebar on our city page. We are always looking for more hands, hearts and minds - from day-of volunteers to core organizers. Reach out to Emily, the CMSC Host, at santacruz@creativemornings.com to find out more!

Our Home

We are grateful to have the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (The MAH) as our venue partner, locating this new network at one of the most vital hubs of the local creative scene.

Rise & Shine With Us!

The very first CMSC event will be in February 2026. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us so you don’t miss updates and announcements.

Our success hinges on mutually beneficial partnerships with local vendors and volunteers. If you are interested in partnering or working with us, get in touch!

We are so excited to build this together. 

- Emily & Jamie, your CMSC Hosts