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Our theme for November is THREAD. It was chosen by our Derby chapter in the United Kingdom, illustrated by Carla Dee, and is presented by our global partner Adobe.

Have you ever pulled on a loose thread in a sweater or sock? Things can unravel quickly. 

The creative process can feel like that. A nagging thought, an imperfect bit, or a big tangled mess. But maybe that thread is trying to tell you something. Follow it and see where it takes you. 

Because thread is both a physical and metaphorical tool of creativity. In film and literature, a “thread” is the progression of a plot line or theme that helps tie the narrative together. While in sewing, weaving, embroidery, and knitting, the “thread” physically embellishes and holds the piece together. 

No wonder a loose thread is so hard to ignore. 

It turns out that all the good and bad in your life is forming a beautiful tapestry.

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Our theme for October is VISION. It was chosen by our Riyadh chapter in Saudi Arabia and illustrated by Razan Alshalan.

How do you see the world? How do you want to change it?

Vision refers both to the sense of sight and our ability to imagine the future. Are you focused on the little details? Can you see the big picture?

As we age, our eyesight begins to deteriorate; seeing objects up close gets more difficult. And as we gain experience, what we want to accomplish evolves. Will your life grow darker or brighter?

Each creative act involves seeing something in your mind’s eye then attempting to make it a reality. A painter, an architect, and every other type of artist or craftsman has a vision for their work. What message, emotion, or impact do you want to convey in yours?  You are your own visionary. What do you want to see?

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Our theme for September is REFLECTION. It was chosen by our Oklahoma City chapter in Oklahoma and illustrated by Aditi Heins.

Just like an echo is a reflection of sound… and how a camera lens focuses reflected light to form a photograph… our subconscious reflects on our experiences to form our beliefs.

Without reflection, there can be no personal growth. Learning from our past yields greater wisdom and happiness. But don’t let self-awareness turn into self-absorption. Take heed of the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own handsome reflection in a pool of water. 

Reflecting on difficult moments can be painful but also healing. When our Oklahoma City chapter selected this theme, they mentioned a reflecting pool at the site of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that was designed to help people reflect on how they were changed by that tragic event. 

Pondering the world around us and following our curiosity adds depth to our creative work. As William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, the purpose of acting is “to hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature.” While George Bernard Shaw said, “you use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” (Although Bertolt Brecht countered, “Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”)

Reflection turns our traumas and triumphs into lessons. It’s how we can create a vision for a brighter future.

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Our theme for August is RITUAL. It was chosen by our Charlottesville chapter in Virginia and illustrated by Matt Smithson.

Rituals add meaning and a deeper sense of connection to our lives. They allow us to practice mindfulness and reflection. Unlike our daily routine and habits, rituals have the power to inspire us. 

Brushing your teeth is routine. Going for a morning walk would be a good habit. And writing a gratitude journal could become your morning ritual. The key is to act with intentionality. 

Our CreativeMornings events have their own rituals. Getting a cup of coffee creates an opportunity to say hello to someone new while you wait your turn in line. Reading our manifesto out loud reinforces our beliefs that everyone is creative and everyone is welcome. 

What rituals do you practice in your relationships, your spirituality, and your creative work? How do they heighten your sense of purpose and belonging in this world? 

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Our theme for July is TRUST. It was chosen by our Islamabad chapter and illustrated by Ibrahim Nasir.

Trust is the invisible thread that weaves the fabric of our relationships and society together. But, in turbulent times, doubt can unravel our strengths. 

So, go with your gut. Put your trust in a higher power, in our institutions, and in karma. Believe that people will do the right thing. Trust the process. And that your creativity is a well that will never run dry. 

When we trust each other, we feel safe to share ideas, give feedback, and take risks. It requires vulnerability and a willingness to be open to the possibility of disappointment or betrayal. So, trust is not purely belief or faith. It is an active choice. 

Trust is a gift. It must be given before it can be earned.

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Our theme for June is PATTERN. It was chosen by our Chennai chapter and illustrated by Nishant Saldanha.

Recognizing, forming, and breaking patterns are core components of creativity. Visuals, sounds, movements, and the passage of time all form patterns that shape our existence and our work. 

Our Chennai chapter’s selection of this theme was inspired by the art form kōlam; which features patterns of dots that are encircled or connected by straight and curved lines. These intricate, geometric designs are created on the thresholds and floors of houses, temples and businesses using rice flour. The practice is deeply rooted in South Indian culture to welcome guests into the home and bring good fortune and prosperity.

Traditionally created by women, our Chennai chapter shared that these beautiful designs are often created by family members and neighbors as a communal activity. Connections between people form patterns in our lives too. 

Which patterns in your relationships, work, and habits are worth repeating? Which ones should be changed? What new pattern do you want to create?

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Our theme for May is VIBRANT. 

When was the last time you experienced something that made you feel more alive? 

Heard a melody pulsing with a beat that made your body move. Taken in the view of a lush landscape or sparkling city skyline bursting with light and shadows. Locked eyes with a striking stranger. Poured yourself into prose that crackles off the page with electricity. Lost track of time in a conversation punctuated by spirited laughter. Stopped in your tracks in front of a canvas in a museum or a mural on the street with colors so bold and bright it popped from the paint straight into your synapses. 

It might not happen every day. But you can live a life full of energy and enthusiasm. You can strive to bring brightness into every interaction. 

Because our world is full of all kinds of vibrant masterpieces. And you are one of them.

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Our theme for April is SPICY. It was chosen by our Tucson chapter and illustrated by Sophie McTear.

Oh yeah, that’s hot! 

When you’re cooking, spices add flavor, depth, and complexity to an otherwise plain culinary dish. Spicy foods interact with receptors in our mouth and can trigger sensations of heat and even pain. Can you handle it? Being open to trying new and bold tastes is a good lesson for bringing daring and originality into all of our creative endeavors. As they say, “variety is the spice of life.” 

Spicy can also be exciting and suggestive. A spicy comment or joke is provocative or controversial. Such “spicy takes” often challenge conventional beliefs and ignite strong, passionate reactions from people. 

So, how can you make your work and approach to life spicier?  Let’s bring the heat!

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Our theme for March is PERSPECTIVE. It was chosen by our Fargo chapter and illustrated by Fred Gaye Wremeo. 

Every creative act is an attempt to share a unique perspective on some slice of the world. What you see — and how you see it — shapes your beliefs. So, what’s your point of view? And how are you putting it into your work? What was the last piece of music, writing, illustration, or film that opened a new window on the world for you? 

One of the most impactful artistic innovations was linear perspective; widely credited to Fillipo Brunelleschi in the early 15th century. This breakthrough enabled artists to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat canvas, paving the way for the ornate art and architecture of the Renaissance. Today, it feels like we are at another precipice with AI generated images and video. We don’t know how this rapidly emerging artistic tech will shape our perspectives. The machine is already capable of evoking real emotions. But only we can understand those feelings. 

Because seeing someone else’s point of view is uniquely human. Considering another perspective fosters empathy. And we all desperately need more empathy. Remember, looking at a problem from multiple angles generates more possible solutions. So, change your perspective and you can change your world. 

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Our theme for February is NATIVE. It was chosen by our Honolulu chapter and illustrated by Jack Soren.

Where you are from shapes who you are. Where you call home influences your worldview. Understanding the traditions of your ancestors can help answer the question, “where do I belong?” Your connections to a place and the past should rightfully be a source of great pride. 

The unique customs, art, and languages of native cultures make the tapestry of human civilization more vibrant. Yet many indigenous communities have faced marginalization, land dispossession, and cultural erasure. How much have we lost and what can be preserved? 

By respecting and celebrating the traditions and achievements of native people everywhere, we can discover a deeper sense of connection and unity. What does our history have to teach us? What can we learn from each other? 

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Our global theme for November is RHYTHM. It was chosen by our Basel chapter and illustrated by Patrizia Stalder.  

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. 

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May ’s Theme is Acceptance.

Acceptance is the act of surrendering to our reality, without judgment or fear. There are many things in our lives that cause us discomfort or pain. We attempt to change or resist them, to no effect. So we wave a big stick, keeping them at bay like a wounded animal. 

Acceptance is weaving into your story what once caused you pain — and still might, to this day. You welcome that creature into your home, tend to its wounds, and feed it out of your hand. Acceptance is knowing that this feral animal lives side by side with your tender house cat of a heart, always.

Embracing what cannot change can help you gather the energy to change what must. Accept these truths: you cannot make another person love or see you. You did not finish everything before the sun set on another day — and you didn’t need to. Every moment will pass, the blissful and the excruciating. It’s the hardest lesson, but one we need the most: the grace to let go. 

Our Lexington chapter chose this month’s exploration of Acceptance and Robert Beatty illustrated the theme.

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April ’s Theme is Movement.

The body in motion is a thing of beauty. Our cells shake kinetic energy through the finely articulated instruments of muscle, ligament, and bone. We blink, we pulse, we dance. Some even pull off feats of human athleticism and daring, from which we can hardly look away.

Movement is a universal state of being. Even at rest, the matter we’re composed of is in motion — subatomic particles whir about at dizzying speeds, to create the sense of solidity. The things that appear still — the earth beneath us, the trunk of a tree above us, is but a trick of the eye. They move slowly but at a staggering scale.

When we move together, we can build social and collective movements. Like a murmuration of swallows, we can form sweeping visions of a world never seen before. Our collective energy directed like a mighty river flowing downstream, taking unexpected and winding turns to carve mountains.

Our Wellington chapter chose this month’s exploration of Movement, Hannah Webster illustrated the theme, and Mailchimp is presenting the theme.  

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March ’s Theme is Corruption.

Corruption can start innocently, like favoring someone you know over someone you don’t. Or recalling a gift they once sent, and repay them with a project for that sweetness. Corruption is a spectrum, rewarding social connections and financial advantages over the rules of fair play. It exists in every society and every institution. 

Some people survive through corruption, the labyrinthine bureaucracies where they live making it literally impossible otherwise. But while they survive, others perish. Rising plumes of toxic chemicals, collapsing buildings not constructed to code, we owe the calamities all around us to those who cared more about profit than people and gain over the greater good. 

As social anthropologist Lucy Koechlin notes, “A world without corruption is a powerful idea. But it doesn’t appear out of the blue.” It takes courage to speak out. To demand transparency and accountability. To strengthen whistleblower protections and the rule of law. To break up corporate concentration while organizing coalitions of people to reset the balance. What will you do to hold power to account? 

Our Monterrey chapter chose this month’s exploration of Corruption and Violeta Hernández illustrated the theme.  

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February 2023′s Theme is Touch.

Across the years when we had to stay apart to keep one another safe, skin hungered for the sensation of being pressed against another. The longing for touch was deeply felt. 

Unlike sight or sound, the senses we primarily rely on for information, touch cannot be conveyed across distance through screens and speakers. Touch invites us to slow down, pay attention, and come closer. 

When we open ourselves to the ineffable — what cannot be transmitted through words — touch emerges as a language unto itself. The grit of the soil under our bare feet, the clay slip enrobing a potter’s wheel, the sun-warmed fur of a beloved pet — these sensations can be healing.

How will you stay in contact with the electric matter that keeps us alive? What will pass through your hands today?

Our Lisbon chapter chose this month’s exploration of Touch and Emma Lopes illustrated the theme. 

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October ’s Theme is Ethos.

Ethos is that specific quality that defines a place, time, or group of people. When you step into a room, a busy downtown, or a community gathering, you intuit its spirit. A messy DIY space invites experimentation and mistakes, a lush city park promises tranquility to anyone who seeks it. Maybe you even know of a monthly event where everyone is welcome and everything is free of charge. 

At its core is a paradox: despite the specificity of an ethos, it’s impossible to pinpoint or trace to a specific origin. What honed that distinctive sensibility is long gone, vanished into myth. 

With our actions and words, we embody these values and beliefs beyond conscious knowing. In turn, we subtly shape the ethos that our descendants — of family, of place — will receive from us. Ethos is alchemic, ineffable, and infinitely ponderable across place and culture. What ways of moving through the world did you inherit?

Our Asheville chapter chose this month’s exploration of Ethos and Colin Sutherland illustrated the theme. 

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September 2022′s Theme is “Depth”.

Depth is a measure of distance. Get a feel for it by traveling along a rock fissure that tunnels into the earth, stepping across the expanse between our galaxy and the next, or diving into the mysteries hidden within ourselves. 

Depth is a space that denies easy ways of seeing or comprehending — when we shine a light into the deep blue of the ocean, we cannot see much further than the surface. In our age of instant answers, we bristle at this resistance. It’s often easier to reduce people, places, and ideas into flattened renderings, rather than grapple with the nuanced and contradictory truths found in their depths. 

In what depths could you submerge yourself if you let curiosity guide you? Ask open-ended questions and listen for responses to arise. With patience, watch those questions transform and transmute as they travel further. Blink your eyes open in the abyss, lose your frame of reference, and discover something altogether new. 

Our Columbus chapter chose this month’s exploration of Depth and Bryan Christopher Moss illustrated the theme.