One of Asheville’s most inspiring collectives, Creative Mornings, welcomes everyone who needs a hefty dose of inspiration, coffee and community for breakfast one Friday every month.
“It really is all about being inspired and finding a place where everyone can connect and find acceptance,” said Justin Rabuck, co-host of Creative Mornings.
Asheville’s population is far below the 500,000 typically required for a city to have a chapter. Still, Rabuck said West Asheville Resident Colby Sexton made a video arguing that Asheville’s creative community is far stronger than one would expect in a city of Asheville’s size.
“The Creative Mornings headquarters were convinced, and they’ve been regularly featuring our talks internationally ever since,” Rabuck said.
George Awad, the master of ceremonies for Creative Mornings, said Asheville’s chapter is quirky and irreverent, much like the town.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we’re serious about supporting artists,” Awad said.
Brandy Bourne, Asheville’s Creative Mornings Host, said cultivating a sense of community amongst attendees and speakers starts with coffee, a bit of breakfast, conversation starters and built-in social time.
“The social part is really key and it’s very lively before and after the talk. George brings the comedy and connects with the crowd,” Bourne said. “We pick community-minded speakers who we expect to bring wisdom and warmth.”
According to Rabuck, one of the most unexpected and encouraging moments in Asheville’s history for Creative Mornings was the communal action that followed Helene. He said the communal action that followed Helene was like nothing he had ever been a part of.
“In a similar vein, seeing how the community kept showing up remotely all through COVID was pretty incredible and seeing the joy of reconvening post-COVID was its own kind of incredible,” said Bourne. “Also, there have been so many little moments, like the event where over 200 attendees held hands to form an electrical circuit and light a light stick.”
Rabuck said the way they find and select speakers really varies.
“Sometimes, the theme will inspire (us to ask) certain speakers. Other times, it is a recommendation,” he said.
All hosts said they agree that Creative Mornings continues to impact the local creative scene through connections.
“Yes, connections across Asheville’s creative communities and between our local Creative Mornings community and the international group. We regularly hear from other chapters who have a member who is looking to hire or be hired, and we’re happy to facilitate that,” Bourne said. “We love seeing connections being built between UNC Asheville’s creative community and other communities in Asheville and beyond, too.”
According to Rabuck, the most rewarding part of being a Creative Mornings crew member is not due to the morning hour.
“I am personally not a morning person,” Rabuck said. “I will say, however, after every single Creative Mornings I feel reconnected and inspired. It’s like a very quick and easy way to connect with the creative community.”
Awad said producing Creative Mornings with Bourne and Rabuck allows them to create an environment where people can walk out of there inspired and feeling good.
“It’s a joy to be part of and it’s a joy to highlight the great creative work happening in the arts, sciences and all across campus at UNC Asheville,” Bourne said.
Rabuck said of the dream collaborations for the future that Creative Mornings would love to have happen, he loves the thought of collaborating with other chapters and local visual artists.
Asheville’s Creative Mornings call to action recognizes that creativity thrives in the community.
“Asheville has this incredible legacy, and we love seeing people show up to engage, collaborate, and lift one another up. The central organizing principle of Creative Mornings is that everyone is creative and everyone is welcome,” Rabuck said. “Our community is made richer by the variety of people who show up.”
