#joincreativecollective

✨ Meet one of this year's Characters of Salem! Big thanks to @salemmainstreets 's Kylie (with an assist at the end from the @salemchamber )for the inside look. In honor of Salem's 400+, our annual community art project is taking the shape of giant letters spelling out SALEM 400+ — led by lead artist Linda Mullen of @graceanddiggs , built by the incredible students of @shs_cte_ , and brought to life by community groups across the city, each adding their own texture and personality (this one was decorated by Brookhouse Home — little eyes coming soon 👀). You'll find these characters scattered throughout downtown all weekend long. ...Because sometimes you just need to hug a very large character. Salem Arts Festival returns Saturday + Sunday, June 6 & 7 — Derby Square + Artists' Row in downtown Salem. SAF brings 60+ artists, makers, and dozens of performances to downtown Salem for two days of art, music, and good company. Link in bio for the full schedule. The Salem Arts Festival is a free, collaborative event produced by @salemmainstreets and @creativecollectivema Festival Partner: @peabodyessex Title Sponsor: @jennistuartjewelry Gallery Sponsor: @lobstershantysalem Creative Directors: @salemwitchmuseum @witchcitywalkingtours , and @salemnighttour Storytellers: @pgshetlandpark , @nocturnesalem , and Goldberg Properties #SalemArtsFestival #SalemMA #PublicArt #Salem400

This morning’s Coffee Connection at @fscsalem brought quite the crowd and we were so happy to be surrounded by new faces and those we know and adore. Front Street Coffee is nicknamed “Salem’s Living Room” for a reason, and the warm welcome from Dee Wolf and her team absolutely lived up to the name. Whether you need quality coffee, a delicious lunch or a place to get some work or reading done, Front Street Coffee House is the place for you. Thank you to everyone who joined us including many of our board members, Counsel President Alice Merkl, @salemmainstreets , The @creativecollectivema and @destsalem . We’ll see you at the next one!

*SEVENING* Our team coined a new term that means showing up for your community after 7! It's not just a trend here in Essex County, it's a lifestyle! To check out more events happening in your area, follow our website and newsletter at creativecollectivema.com #NorthShoreMA #EssexCounty #ThingsToDoMA

BIG THANKS for BIG NIGHT! It’s a night for and made possible by our incredible community of supporters! It came to life with the help of… Aritst Andrew Houle @houle_andrew → go to thecabot.org to order a signed print of his new painting! Headliner @tromboneshorty Event planner Harrington Events @harringtonevents Tim Hopkins Catering @tshcatering Currans Flowers @curransflowers Jambalaya horns @jambalayahorns Peak Events @peakeventservices

The cauldron's bubbling! Enchanting things are taking place behind the scenes for Witch Pix! 💫 #witch #witchcity #salem #salemmassachusetts #NewBeginnings

We came, we saw, we Tiki'd! And had the BEST team outing ever!

📖 MEET THE COLLECTIVE: Mini Magazine Issue 63 ✨ Two dynamic new members join the Collective! Meet Outside the Box Learning Company (outsidetheboxlearningcompany.com), founded in 2023 by educator and homeschooling mom Linda Sessa! A mobile learning company bringing fun, interactive classes right to you, Outside the Box specializes in messy science, art adventures, nature explorations, sewing, crochet, STEAM experiments, and cooking classes. With a mission to empower children to become authentic, confident, and compassionate adults, Linda creates environments where every child feels supported and seen while making learning fun, engaging, and accessible! 🫧 Say hello to dead puppy society (@dead.puppy.society ), an immersive horror brand founded in 2026 by Ash Reed creating custom monsters, masks, costumes, and effects-driven storytelling for haunted houses, theatrical productions, and horror events! With a background in live events and large-scale productions, Ash helps horror creators build characters and experiences that linger long after the lights come up. Rooted in the belief that confronting fear is how we heal and evolve, dead puppy society brings immersive fear to life! 🎭 Swipe through for the latest news from our creative community! Ready to join our community of creators and innovators? Visit creativecollectivema.com/join 💫 #CreativeCollectiveMA #SmallBusiness #SupportLocal #EssexCounty #LocalBusiness #NorthShore #CreativeEconomy #ShopLocal #CommunityFirst #MessyScience #HandsOnLearning #HorrorBrand #HauntedHouse #ImmersiveHorror #MonsterMaker

Just one year ago, Bobbie Bush moved her studio to join the Gallows Hill Artists at 16 Proctor Street in Salem, MA. Becoming part of this community of 28 working artists has marked an exciting new chapter in her nearly 30 years as a portrait artist. Bobbie’s work is centered on creating custom portrait paintings that honor the people, pets, and stories that matter most. Having a dedicated studio space where clients and visitors can step inside that creative process adds another layer of connection to the experience. Catch a glimpse inside her studio and see how she creates her paintings, blending photographic images with painting software and traditional hand-finished techniques to bring each portrait to life. Save the date to see her at the upcoming Open Studios at Gallows Hill Artists! Saturday, May 30 11am – 6pm Open to the public. Free to attend. #gallowshillartiststudios #gallowshillartists #ccmembersrock #openstudios #salemma

Tiny Art Spree boxes are ready for pickup! So far, they are stocked at our office box at 9A Derby Square, the end of Artist Row in the free library, front street coffee windowsill and more later today! Questions? Salemartsfestival.com/tiny-art-spree for all the details

You've seen the designs all over Salem. Now there's a new home for them. District Trading Company just cut the ribbon on their new Essex Street space — and downtown showed up to celebrate. What started as a small idea has grown into owner Matt Smith's third space — a fully Salem-owned shop stocked with original, hand-printed designs and a thoughtful new lineup of men's and women's wear from smaller brands he hand-picked himself. But here's the thing — Matt's been quietly putting other artists on for years, supporting the YMCA Creative Arts program, and raising his kids in the same downtown he keeps showing up for. As Kylie Sullivan from Salem Main Streets put it: "I see people wearing these designs and I know they're a Salem person." Big thanks to Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber, and Mayor Dominick Pangallo for being there. This is what shop local actually looks like. 📍 District Trading Company — 244 Essex St, Downtown Salem Pop in. Bring a friend. Tag someone in the comments who needs this in their closet. #DistrictTradingCo #ShopSalem #DowntownSalem #SalemSmallBusiness

Our BIG NIGHT program book is not just a guide to the event, it’s a celebration of our history and that all The Cabot has become thanks to our amazing community of supporters. Printed by @choicegraphics_partner and designed by @comm.ink , we are thrilled to share this with you! ➡️ visit thecabot.org to browse digitally

Hey New England, get ready for an intimate conversation at @ssu_arts with me in honor of Salem’s 400th celebration. June 13 for one-night-only! 🎟️ Tickets are going fast. Grab yours at the link in bio.