On Thursday morning, over 100 small business owners, nonprofit leaders, artists, and community builders packed into the basement of The Bower in Beverly. What started as a simple gathering became something much bigger. A room full of people chose connection over isolation, community over fear, and each other over going it alone. Honestly? We needed it. Why Does the Essex

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

Essex Heritage Opens 2026 Partnership Grant Program: $24,000 Available for Local Heritage Projects 28th annual grant cycle offers funding for education, interpretation, preservation, and accessibility projects with special focus on Revolutionary War history Historic Milestone Year for Essex County Heritage Funding Essex Heritage has launched its 28th annual Partnership Grant Program for 2026, offering 12 grants of $2,000 each to

Interviewee: Amanda Bondi (she/her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. After living in Salem for nearly 10 years, I found myself constantly resisting the urge to approach strangers and say, GO HERE and HERE. This spot is so spooky and quiet! This one is classic 1970s Salem. This place feels like an episode of

Butterflies, poetry, and a lineup of historic firsts—this ceremony put Lynn’s creative spirit front and center. Sunday night at Lynn Memorial Auditorium was buzzing—residents, families, and city leaders all came together for the 2026 Inaugural Ceremony, and this was anything but a standard swearing-in. The butterfly installation by Raw Art Works youth artists set the tone from the moment attendees

Mayor Pangallo begins second term at PEM ceremony as poets and performers frame the moment—and the creative sector speaks without being named. On a Monday morning in January, just days before Salem’s official 400+ anniversary kickoff, the city inaugurated its 2026 leadership the way this city does so many things: surrounded by art, grounded in history, and looking resolutely forward.

Interviewee: Avash Chipalu (He/Him) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. Hi, I’m Avash reaching out from Bridges Nepali Cuisine located in Winthrop, MA. I have been in the food and beverage field for almost 21 years, from running a bar, a diner, and a sandwich joint, to finally settling with my roots. Not only

Salem poetry events are flourishing as the city approaches its 400th anniversary celebration. On Sunday, January 11, the city’s first Poet Laureate, J.D. Scrimgeour, will launch his new book at the Peabody Essex Museum. This special reading marks nearly three decades of literary engagement with Salem. For poetry lovers and community members alike, it’s a meaningful moment. Salem’s First Poet

The magic of the holiday season came to life on December 20 as The Greater Salem Ballet Company took the stage at Lynn Auditorium for their beloved production of The Nutcracker. This year, Salem resident Olivia Meechin danced the role of Clara, leading audiences on a magical journey through the Battle of the Mice, the enchanted Christmas Tree forest, and

Gothic holiday magic took over Old Town Hall on December 6-7 as Grave Tidings returned for its haunted holiday market! Over 50 dark artists and vendors filled Derby Square with unique creations — from macabre art and handcrafted jewelry to oddities, candles, and everything beautifully dark in between. Produced by Liz Frazier of Witch City Wicks, Grave Tidings has become