SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER
The Art Of Showing Up
​Every month we'll do the research so you don't have to! Here is a list of curated events happening this month, hand picked to fuel your creative self.
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“Take a small step in the direction of a dream and watch the synchronous doors flying open.” Julia Cameron - The Artist’s Way
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Even modest beginnings—the simple act of showing up—can lead to unexpected momentum and opportunity.
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Carmel on Canvas, Sept. 5: Carmel on Canvas | City of Carmel
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Save the date for Pattern’s Creative Economy Summit: Oct. 13-14 Indiana Creative Economy Summit Hosted by Pattern
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Noblesville Celebrates - Noblesville Creates’ Award Dinner: Sept. 25: Noblesville Creates | Noblesville Celebrates
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Landmarks Off the Beaten Path: Sept. 10 Landmarks Off the Beaten Path Tickets, Wed, Sep 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
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Women in Tech, Sept. 15: Future Cast: Emerging Women in Tech - Aspirations, Barriers & Breakthroughs Tickets, Mon, Sep 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM | Eventbrite
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Power-Up Floral Experience: Sept.20: Power-Up Floral Experience: Falling for You! Tickets, Sat, Sep 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
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Women DIY Workshop: Women Werk It: Light and Electrical Basics Tickets, Sat, Sep 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite
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Monthly Arts Around Town
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Sept. 13: Second Saturday in the Carmel Arts & Design District
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Sept. 18: Third Thursday in Broad Ripple
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Open Mic + Live Performances Lyrics and Libations Open Mic Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
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Sept. 5: First Friday in Indy
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Check out indyarts.org as a great reference for First Friday events!
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OUR NEXT GATHERING
Arts Advocacy: Discussion Panel & Social Event
Saturday, September 13 | 4–6 PM
Circle Real Estate & Gallery, 30 W. Main St., Carmel, IN
Join Create What You Crave for a powerful Inspiration Session bringing together local creatives and community leaders to explore how the arts shape culture, community, and economic growth. Enjoy live music, light bites, and meaningful conversation about why creativity matters in everyday civic life.
Building With Intention: A Letter from the Board
Co-Chair
By Lindsey DeLorey
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Some connections are just meant to be. When Executive Director Anne O’Brien reached out to me, she and board co-chair Quinn Johnson had already been working together, laying the groundwork for Create What You Crave. We clicked instantly. Anne brings the big-picture vision, Quinn is a master of artist relationships and collaboration, and I thrive on creating structure and strategy. Together, we make a powerhouse team.
Our first mission? Build our inaugural founding board. And wow—did we assemble a crew—all united by a shared belief in what Create What You Crave can be. I’m endlessly inspired by the talent and dedication they bring to the table. Together, we’re makingsure our work is grounded in both clear direction and flexibility to meet the needs of our creative community.
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From day one, we’ve been intentional. We held multiple visioning sessions to map out what we want to accomplish this year, then turned those goals into five board-led committees:
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Strategic Oversight & Governance
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Marketing, Promotions & Advocacy
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Program & Talent Development
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Fundraising & Financial Stewardship
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Impact & Operations
We’re building with intention and heart, fueled by community input and a willingness to adapt.
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Right now, every single one of us is donating our time because we believe in the mission. In a world that needs more safe, inspiring “third spaces,” CWYC is our way of creating a home for community, art, and belonging.
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I’m thrilled to lend my skills to this cause—and I’d love for you to join us. Bring your time, your talent, your treasure, or your ties. If you’re curious about joining one of our high-energy working committees, reach out to me directly. Let’s build this together.
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With gratitude,
Lindsey DeLorey
Board Co-Chair, Create What You Crave
Founder, ImpactHUB Consulting LLC
Listen While you Brainstorm
by Erica Thompson
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If you’re like me, listening to vocals in music can—simply put—not always be what the doctor ordered when choosing the moment’s soundtrack. But even an instrumental can be distracting if it’s not the right one for the moment. Enter “Mother’s Love” by The Vernon Spring. It’s perfectly repetitive yet varied. It’s uplifting and melancholy, inspiring and soothing—the perfect blend of energetic and meditative. That’s why I suggest adding it to the playlist you put on while you brainstorm and plan your next creative project. I hope it’s just a small part of your next big idea or creative breakthrough. Enjoy!
’ve always believed the right soundtrack can change everything—whether it’s for a creative project or just getting through the day.
A little about me, the author, Erica Thompson: I’m a CWYC Marketing Committee Member, a Carmel native, and a creative who works as a Director of Marketing for a property management company. When I’m not sharing music finds like this one, you’ll probably catch me traveling, singing, enjoying one of countless creative hobbies, or watching Harry Potter. I’m happy to be bringing you this segment, “Listen While You ______,” each month!
The cosmic report
By Jessica Morgan
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In astrology Venus rules the creative spirit. It is the planet that invokes the urge to express ourselves in whatever creative outlet calls to us. Venus herself has been used throughout art history to convey the many themes that artists find themselves called to express. Neptune is the planet that invokes imagination. The very thing that has allowed visions to unfold and worlds to be opened up to us. Allowing the mundane to not be so heavy. Whether or not you believe in these energies, I hope that you might still find inspiration and maybe some fun in this Cosmic Report. We all need some whimsy in our life, so I’m here to do just that. So here we go.
As Neptune transits through Aries, creatives are called to step into their roles as trailblazers, unleashing their passion and boldness onto the world. This is the perfect time to dive headfirst into your artistic pursuits, creating with spontaneity and allowing your instincts to guide you without fear of judgment. They say that when you overthink that is your head not trust your heart, so just trust! Trust that you have put in the work and it’s time to tap into that creative intuition. Explore themes of individuality and heroism that reflect your unique journey and perspective, challenging conventions and thinking outside the box. Simultaneously, as Venus graces Leo until the 19th of September, let yourself be bold and be seen. Leos aren’t afraid to command the spaces they’re in, so embody that unapologetic energy. After the 19th Venus goes into Virgo asking you to be kind to your creative self and bring healing into your practice. Infusing your work with beauty, harmony, and vibrancy. The creative spirit is encouraging you to create art that resonates with personal experiences and relationships, evoking warmth and gentle hands. This can be an act as simple as speaking kindly to yourself when you feel overwhelmed, or frustrated. Sometimes we are our own worst critics, so maybe try to be your own biggest cheerleader. Let the stories of your heart unfold, gathering inspiration from boldness, kindness and the beauty of nature. By blending the fiery, innovative spirit of Neptune in Aries with the bold and nurturing energy of Venus in Leo and Virgo, you can ignite your creativity and create pieces that truly resonate with both you and your audience!
My name is Jessica Morgan, and I love making my artistic practice fun and playful. I am a digital and traditional artist that loves to work in whimsical ways. I’m a creative, a mother, and a wife. Over the years I have learned how to navigate life through the good and the bad, as well as how to keep that creative spark a live. I very much believe that when we set our daily creative practice with the correct intention it allows out creativity to expand in ways that we never thought possible. So, I hope with the little report I can help add a little whimsy into your own creative practice.
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LoosE Leaf Thoughts
By Alexis Doan
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I’ve been thinking about how I never stop thinking.
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Constantly processing, inputting, and outputting information.
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While scrolling the other night I saw a video that said we all treat ourselves like iPad babies*. We wake up and check our phones, go to work on our laptops, and fill the spaces in between with social media or podcasts. We then unwind on streaming services. Oh no, I thought. I realized I have become an iPad baby. When was the last time I just sat in my own boredom?
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The more I reflect on the lack of space I was leaving for my mind, the more my bout of artists block made sense. Austin Kleon wrote in his book Steal like an Artist, “Creative people need time to just sit around and do nothing. I get some of my best ideas when I’m bored, which is why I never take my shirts to the cleaners… If you’re out of ideas, wash the dishes. Take a long walk. Stare at a spot on the wall for as long as you can.”
Comparing our minds to canvases, boredom is a blank canvas. Listening to a podcast constantly isn’t necessarily bad, it’s just like trying to paint over an already painted canvas. I have been lacking creativity because there hasn’t been any room left on my canvas. Constantly consuming, rarely creating. Constantly processing, inputting, and outputting information.
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I want to challenge myself to think less, rest more, and create more than I consume. It’s easy to scroll endlessly and fall into insecurity when you’re constantly witnessing others' creativity. We owe it to ourselves to unplug more often. It can be a choice to give your mind that blank canvas.
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Before you go.. Hi, I’m Alexis! I am the Director of Marketing, Promotion, and Advocacy here at CWYC. I am a full-time artist, specializing in video production and photography. I grew up in Indianapolis and am incredibly passionate about growing our creative community. I created the “Loose Leaf Thoughts” column to write about a little bit of everything. Things like my current sources of inspiration, internal struggles as an artist, or even the impact of personal identity in our creations. I love a good chat, so feel free to respond if you ever want to chime in!
*iPad baby = babies that are constantly handed an iPad for entertainment. Often used in a negative context, iPad babies are notorious for having poor social skills and volatile emotions.
In the studio with...
Anne
By Alexis Doan
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I wanted to kick off this column by sitting down with our very own Executive Director, Anne O'Brien. In her professional world, Anne offers consulting and contract work to help purpose-driven creatives, entrepreneurs and nonprofits share their story & shape their community. With her passion for the arts and community, she founded CWYC in 2023 with the mission of amplifying the voices of local creatives and offering space for connection and inspiration. Read on to find out more about Anne and where she draws inspiration from.
As a creative, what are your favorite mediums?
Music was (and always will be) my first love, thanks to my mom teaching piano and violin from our home, and then spending years performing and immersing myself in the arts. I recently took up painting for fun too! But over time, I discovered that my true creative medium is building community through storytelling, specifically telling stories through media and experiences. I love curating experiences that bring people together, spark real conversation and empower others.
To me, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing how people respond to my creation... I create to add beauty, belonging and transformation to the world. That’s my favorite medium.
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Where do you find your inspiration?
I’m most inspired when I step out of my routine! I love traveling to new places, trying new foods, doing yoga or running, or attending events that spark fresh ideas. I try to take at least one inspiration trip each year to recharge creatively. Recently, cities like Miami, Sarasota, and Columbus, IN have really lit me up. I love meeting people, learning what excites them, and hearing about the challenges they face, because I believe we grow through each other’s stories. Discovery, connection, and movement fuel my creativity.
What was the final push for you to start CWYC?
Carmel has an incredible arts scene, ranging from galleries to live music to world-class performances. But, I noticed a gap. There wasn't a space where creatives and arts supporters were intentionally gathering, building relationships and growing together. I personally craved that kind of connection, so I hosted a launch event to see if others felt the same. The response was overwhelmingly positive!
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What started as a passion project quickly evolved. I saw the need - not just locally, but nationally - for deeper support of the arts and creative community. At a time when creativity is often undervalued, I felt called to take action. Making Create What You Crave a nonprofit allowed me to invite others in, build something sustainable and help empower creatives to connect, express, and lead.
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My hope is that people are empowered by our name and guiding principle, Create What You Crave, as a reminder that you have the power to be the change you wish to see...not just in your art, but in your own life and greater community.
Why do you think creativity is important in society?
Creativity has incredible power. It connects us to ourselves, to each other and to our communities. Without it, life lacks vibrancy, purpose and meaning. Creativity allows us to express our authenticity, embrace our differences and fuel empathy. Creative expression fosters thriving and inclusive communities and businesses which radiate with an energy that people are naturally drawn to, and so, the arts don’t just enrich lives culturally, they also contribute to the economy. Think of authentic creative hubs - from Nashville, TN to Tulum, MX. They attract people because they radiate genuine, expressive energy that transforms places and people alike. I've personally seen and been a part of how creativity and the arts transformed the city of Carmel over the past two decades. It transforms cities because it transforms people.
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One of my favorite authors, Amie McNee reminds us in her book, We Need Your Art: “When you gift art to the world, you are giving the world a mirror. People will see themselves and discover things about themselves in your art.”
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To me, creativity is what makes life worth living.