Salem Arts Festival returns this weekend (June 3-5) in all of its glory for three days of art, music, poetry, performance, vending, and general spectacle. Because the schedule of events happening in and around Salem is so jam packed, we’ve decided to help you out by selecting 10 of the best happenings going on this weekend. But don’t just trust

Festival season in New England usually runs from May to October, plus the sprinkling of winter markets in late November and December, and most artists, makers, creators, and performers are already considering and applying to the events they want to participate in throughout the year. Many North Shore-based festivals have released their call for art and performers, including Salem Arts

Despite the the stress of a global pandemic, art has continued to unite us across many diverse communities. Salem Arts Festival, taking place June 4th through 6th, will be a relaxing and engaging get-away from that tiring virtual Zoom fatigue. Both residents and visitors are welcomed to attend this fantastic festival where local artists and businesses will shine in the

The Artful Life Counseling Center and Studio gives us some great insights about how to practice self-care, make space for ourselves in a topsy-turvy world, and recognize the importance of creative expression for mental health. You can learn more about them and their Salem center and studio at https://www.artfullifecenter.org Who are you and what is The Artful Life Counseling Center

by Joey Phoenix Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2019 but has been updated to account for COVID times in March 2021. Festival season usually runs from May to October, plus the sprinkling of winter markets in late November and December, and most artists, makers, and creators are starting to consider which ones they want to participate in

Image Credit: PBJ Arts CollectiveWords by Joey Phoenix “I think artists can go to a level of vision that can often save us from a situation which seems to have no solution whatsoever. – Susan Griffin 2020 has been a hard decade, and it’s just getting started. People are collectively experiencing social grief and screen burnout like never before, but,

By Joey Phoenix When you ask people how they are, what do you often hear them say? Fine? Good? The response I hear the most is Busy. We are incredibly busy. It’s remarkable how busy we all are. We have work and school and hobbies and friends and family and side hustles. So many side hustles. And it’s this tide

By Joey Phoenix How has your self-talk been this week? Have you been kind to yourself? Were the things you told yourself positive or negative? If it was negative, did you listen? Or did you tell that little negative voice to get out? For me, it’s been a rough week. It’s been the kind of week where waking up in

By Joey Phoenix Life is full of things which demand our attention. We have to pay bills, file taxes, run errands, wash our clothes, feed ourselves. We also need to work enough so that we can pay rent and buy food, be social enough that we don’t become hermits, and make enough art so that we feel like we’re actually