The North of Boston tourism awards Destination Excellence Summit gathered more than 200 professionals at Salem’s Hawthorne Hotel on November 19 to address a critical question: how does a region coordinate tourism strategy across 34 cities and towns while maintaining authentic local character? The timing proved symbolic—the Hawthorne Hotel celebrated its 100th birthday while hosting discussions about the next century

Interviewee: Remy Collins (She/Her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. The Hippie Bean Co. is a hand-dyed apparel brand built on creativity, inclusivity, and color. What started as a way to make my son’s wardrobe more fun quickly grew into a full-blown small business built around joy, confidence, and self-expression. We offer one-of-a-kind tie-dye

What if your next gift could tell a story? That’s the magic of CCIY – Creative Collective It Yourself, where you can discover all things DIY in Essex County to create a gift that feels personal, creative, and truly unforgettable. CCIY isn’t just about making things – it’s about fostering connections and building community through creativity and supporting local talent

By John Andrews, Founder, Creative Collective How Montserrat College of Art, The Cabot, and Beverly Main Streets built something extraordinary I stood in a packed gallery at 248 Cabot Street in Beverly. I watched something I’ve been hoping to see for years: creative organizations building infrastructure together rather than competing for resources. The Bower—Montserrat College of Art’s new 36,000-square-foot creative

North Shore Music Theatre Brings Back Beloved “A Christmas Carol” for 36th Anniversary Season Historic Beverly theater celebrates milestone production with returning stars and 15 performances of the regional holiday tradition Three Decades of Holiday Magic Returns to North Shore Music Theatre North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts is set to close out its 70th anniversary season with the

Interviewee: Alice Rouse (She/Her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. At Salt Studio I hope to create a buzzing space for casual creativity. Our mission includes providing space for creatives, introducing process based creativity to youth and incorporating reused materials wherever possible in our educational program. Tell us a bit about you and why

Salem Arts Association Opens New Gallery Space on Historic Pickering Wharf Beloved nonprofit arts organization relocates to expanded waterfront location, bringing enhanced visibility and community programming to Salem’s creative scene New Chapter for Salem’s Premier Arts Organization The Salem Arts Association is embarking on an exciting new phase with the announcement of a gallery and shop opening at 88 Wharf

Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a podcast from Creative Collective that amplifies the voices and stories of women entrepreneurs who are members of the Creative Collective. In each episode, host Mikki Wilson sits down with a woman business owner from the Creative Collective community to explore her unique journey, what drives her, and where she’s headed next. Local economies

Interviewee: Euni Morrow (They/he/she) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. Mushroom Witch is essentially my public persona. I’ve always been a creative thinker and a curious soul, which manifests in my exploration of art, crafts, knowledge, and culture. I started my tours as a dedication to authenticity in witchcraft; and each thing I mention