Community Over Competition

An event meant to bring creative minds and practitioners together to find inspiration, community, and support in building our skills and selves.

November 15th Event
4:00-8:00PM

535 West Main Street
Cheshire, Connecticut

Panel Discussions
Live Music
Drinks & Food
Vendors
Networking
Free Admission

This is a time for creative collaboration & togetherness. Holding companies, private equity, & business-for-business types have enslaved us. They’ve commoditized our superpowers. They’ve made it difficult to make careers for ourselves, to make impacts on each other, this state, and the world. We’re going to change all that. It starts here.

For Designers.

Getting in or getting ahead, designers need other designers. This is where we can come together to inspire & help each other. This is our world. So, bring your portfolios; bring yourselves. Let’s team up!

For Artists.

Outside of the commercialized & branded agency world, there are brilliant creative artists also striving for connectivity, community, and collaboration. We see you; this is your place to find it all.

For Photographers.

So many roll solo in their photo careers, but not here. The Center of Creativity is a chance to be part of something. Crew up, get gigs, learn from everyone around you. Get a new view with fellow photographers.

For All.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a student or pro, a model or model maker, an illustrator, editor, agent, author, dancer, designer, or anything else we could think up while writing this. You’re a creative? You belong here.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS:

Welcome
Speaker

Elizabeth Shapiro
Director, Arts, Preservation & Museums, Connecticut Economic & Community Development

Breaking Out

Getting out of typical, traditional corporate structures in the business world to go your own way can be scary. In the creative industry, it often begins with a desire for independence, fueled by frustrations of finding traditional work or an innate drive to simply do things one’s own way. Join our panelists as they discuss breaking out into the world of self-employment to find fulfillment their own way.

Steve Walter
Moderator, Photographer

Josie Cappozzi
Social Media Coordinator

Dan Barron
Head of Marketing

Sam Schannon
Photographer

Meera Seetharam
Photographer

Breaking In

Our industry has rapidly evolving standards, from AI advancements to shifting employer expectations. Today’s creatives must continually hone their craft, strategically build their networks, and maintain dynamic portfolios. Join our panelists as they discuss what it takes to Break In.

Mel Nardiello
Moderator, Marketing Director

**Karl Heine**
Solutionist, creativeplacement

Elena Anetrella
Copywriter, Rebellion Group

Kevin Skrocki
Designer, Rebellion Group

Jon Feld
ACD, Rebellion Group

The Way FWD

The creative industry in CT is constantly evolving, driven largely by the flight of big business, agencies sold to PE & holding companies, AI advancements – threats – misunderstandings, shifting client expectations & fears, and new technologies and business demands that are redefining traditional agency models. But, there’s hope! Join our panelists as they discuss the way forward for the community and business of creativity in our state.