CreativeMornings/Tucson

Everyone is creative. Everyone is welcome. We're a free monthly breakfast lecture series for Tucson’s creative community.

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Ames (Amanda Meeks) is a death doula, interdisciplinary artist, teaching librarian, and community archivist living in Tucson, AZ. As a doula, they are committed to building compassionate, creative spaces for exploring death, dying, and grief. In addition to offering individual and community-based doula support, their own creative work centers around themes of love, grief, and feminist care through zines, book arts, and participatory experiences that invite reflection. 

Zines and artists' books have been an important part of Ames' creative and teaching practice for over 20 years. Since moving to Tucson, Ames launched a social art practice project and zine bike called Outspokin' & Bookish, which has been running since early 2020, bringing zines and zine-making activities to community events such as Cyclovia and art markets. Ames has also facilitated many collaborative zine projects and led dozens of in-person and virtual zine workshops for all ages in Tucson and beyond.

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Our theme for September is BLOSSOM. It was chosen by our Pereira chapter in Colombia, illustrated by Edwin Morales, and is presented by Adobe.  

Every blossom is an act of becoming. The quiet force of roots pushing through the dark, the slow unfurling of a bud, a sudden burst of color. But plants don’t blossom on command. Each flower requires the right amount of sunlight, water, and nourishment across the cycle of the seasons. 

It’s the same for creativity. Our next idea lies dormant, while we fertilize our mind. With attention, protection, and space to play, our work becomes what it is meant to be. Petal by petal, the passion inside us bursts into a glorious bouquet.

But remember that flowers don’t bloom purely for their own sake. They share their fragrance, attract pollinators, and serve the larger ecosystem. Your creativity needs to pollinate as well. So, share your gift. Spread more ideas, more beauty, and more courage. 

To truly blossom, you must take the risk of opening up. This is your season. You deserve to be seen. Offer your abundance of color to the world! 

Ask yourself, “what within me is ready to blossom?” “What can I nurture to help others do the same?”

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Meet January's Speaker, Steve Nash. 🎉

Steve Nash has been President & CEO of Archaeology Southwest in Tucson since January, 2024. Prior to then he served as Director of Anthropology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (2006-2023) and Head of Collections in the Department of Anthropology at the Field Museum in his hometown of Chicago. Steve earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Anthropology at the University of Arizona and his B.A. at Grinnell College in Iowa.

As Steve likes to say, “the epic sweep of humanity is indeed mighty cool to behold.” Over the course of his career, he has done archaeological fieldwork on Neanderthal sites in southwestern France and in sites across the American Southwest, including tree-ring dating at Mesa Verde National Park.

He is a recognized world leader in the voluntary repatriation and return of ancestors and belongings that are housed in museums in the absence of informed consent, most notably to the Mijikenda people of coastal Kenya. He has published 10 books and dozens of peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as more than 60 “Curiosities” columns at the award-winning on-line anthropology magazine SAPIENS.org.

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Our theme for January is JOURNEY. It was chosen by our Muscat chapter in Oman and illustrated by Salim Al Salami. 

Let’s go. Let’s get out there and see what the world has waiting for us. 

By putting ourselves in a new environment or experience, we gain a different perspective. That sense of discovery sparks fresh inspiration. If your brain feels stuck, try moving your feet. 

So, let’s travel somewhere we’ve never been. Either down the street or across a far-off border, there’s so many places to explore. Or we can take a metaphorical journey like unlocking personal growth in therapy, advancing on our career paths, or undergoing a spiritual awakening. Or we can enjoy a journey into imagination through a book, film, or other work of art.

As we travel through life, everyone you meet is at a different point in their own unique journey. Some of us know where we’re going. While other paths are full of twists, turns, and obstacles thrown in our way. The trick is to embrace the detours and delays. Because there are no shortcuts on a journey of self-discovery or creative expression. 

Just please remember: you are not traveling alone.

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Meet December's Speaker: Kathleen Dreier! 🎉

Kathleen Dreier is a versatile portrait/event photographer based in Tucson, Arizona. Kathleen whole-heartedly serves clients from all communities, fostering an inclusive environment where every person’s unique stories and experiences are honored. Since 2006, Kathleen has specialized in and is known for capturing candid moments, documenting authentic emotions and genuine interactions. Kathleen’s intention is to seamlessly navigate both private and public spaces, preserving moments with a unique blend of artistry and storytelling.

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Our theme for December is CYCLE. It was chosen by our Freiburg chapter in Germany and illustrated by Isabell Meister. 

Our Freiburg chapter had sustainability in mind when they chose this theme — from their swarms of cyclists commuting to work to their robust recycling programs that recover and reuse 69% of the city’s waste. 

Our world runs on cycles. There’s the frantic buzz of the 24-hour news cycle. The boom and bust of economic cycles. The changing seasons. Every plant, animal, and organism exists in a life cycle of birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Water flows through a cycle of evaporation into vapor to condensation in clouds to precipitation that falls as rain or snow. The menstrual cycle. The circadian rhythm of our sleep cycle. 

Just as crops are grown on a rotation cycle to replenish the soil, our own creativity requires a cycle of inspiration or inputs, followed by a burst of productivity or entering a flow state, and finally a period of rest or contemplation. 

Cycles are circular and keep things moving. Which cycles are you living in tune with? And which ones are you fighting vainly against?

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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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Meet Lesah Sesma-Gay, our featured speaker for February! Register for the event here.

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Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate 5 years of CreativeMornings in Tucson! Volunteers, sponsors, attendees....community is what makes CreativeMornings special! Photos by Celesteal Photography

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Celebrate 5 years of CreativeMornings in Tucson with us January 26 from 6-8pm at Downtown Clifton! Live music, raffle prizes, and more in a creative celebration with your creative community! Register here

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Join us in celebrating five years of CreativeMornings in Tucson! Live music, raffle prizes, and more... everyone is welcome! See event details and register

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Highlights from the December 15 event featuring speaker Andrea Carmichael and musician Nico Barberan at the Screening Room. Photos by Kathleen Dreier

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We ❤️ our volunteer crew! Interested in volunteering at or sponsoring an upcoming event? Email us at [email protected]

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We love our Tucson creative community! Pictured: attendees at Dr Jamal Früster's talk at the Fox Theatre Tucson on August 18, 2023. Photo by Celesteal Photography

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Dr Jamal Früster is our CreativeMornings/Tucson speaker for August 2023 on the theme of Pride!

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We ❤️  our new photo op props from Cirrus Visual!  See all event images from April’s event featuring Fabian Tejada on our Flickr