Community = (Trust + Connection + Support) x Time
Welcome to The Creativity Digest, a monthly newsletter series from The Creative Directory! We’re bringing you some of the most interesting creative classes, workshops, events, and pop-ups around New York City every month so that you can find your own creative community.
✨This month, we’ve added a new section at the end of our newsletter called “What’s New”, where we share a little bit about what we’ve been up to! Scroll down to check it out!✨
I was noodling this month on a new term I learned, called the "small favors economy”, floating around the cultural zeitgeist. It hit me that I hadn't asked my friends or family for a favor in ages! I realized that, somehow, our society has convinced me that it’s rude to ask for help. Honestly, the idea of relying on someone for errands feels like a hassle for both me and them. It’s just so much easier to book a Rover sitter for my dog or grab an Uber instead of asking a buddy for a ride to the airport.
Maybe that's why the world feels so much lonelier these days. We’d rather pay the money or go out of our way to do things ourselves. If we ask someone for help, we feel like we’re being an inconvenience or that we “owe” that person a favor back. It frames our way of thinking of relationships as transactional; that we only give to get, and that asking for help makes us a burden to others. That means we miss out on small moments of regular connection with the people that we love, which drives us further into isolation. Those moments are what build and sustain trust, support, and connection over time in our relationships. This isn't a new idea either; people used to lean on each other before all these apps like Uber, Doordash, and Rover came along!
So I thought, why not start a small favors economy with my friends and family? It could be something as easy as offering a ride or sharing resources—just little acts of kindness! When we create a community where everyone looks out for each other, we build a network of support where everyone pitches in. It doesn’t take much—just a little intention and the readiness to help out—and in return, we get to form deeper, more meaningful connections with the people we care about.
This month, we dare you to give it a shot too! Keep us posted on how it turns out and if it helps you feel closer to your loved ones 💗.
Happy creating~
Your Creativity Guides
Spark your creativity with a workshop:
September 29th: Try your hand at oil painting in this workshop! ($120) Happy Medium in Chinatown
October 5th: Learn more about Henri Matisse and experiment with your own gouache paintings, cutting, and assembling them to create vibrant Matisse-inspired artworks in this fun studio night workshop. ($68) ArtsClub in East Village
October 9th: If you need a night of self care, join this workshop where you’ll paint your affirmations in watercolor! ($30) ArtGurl at Fabrik in Tribeca
October 10th: For World Mental Health Day, join this journaling and reflection workshop where you'll explore your thoughts and feelings, creating a solid foundation for emotional well-being while leaving room for expansion and growth. Part of the proceeds will be donated to a mental health organization selected by those that are in attendance at the workshop! ($40) Journaling Classes at the Arlo Nomad
October 12th: Join this book swap for a few hours of laidback reading, socializing with fellow book lovers, and swapping literary gems.($23) Two of Cups Events at Cafe Bloom in Fort George
October 17th: Learn about the history of incense and the making process before crafting your own, choosing your scent and shaping your incense into cones, sticks, or spirals in this workshop. ($65) RecCreate Collective in Clinton Hill
October 19th: In this three hour lesson you will learn how to gather and blow glass plus add colors of your choice to create your very own handmade bowl. ($215) Brooklyn Glass in Park Slope
October 27th: If you’re intimidated by Figure Drawing, this workshop is your chance to learn and practice in a judgement free zone! ($89) NYC Drawing Room in Herald Square
Up-level your creativity with a class series:
October 7th-November 11th: Does the pottery wheel sound a bit intimidating? Start with this 6 week hand-building course to get familiar with clay! ($460) Bushwick Ceramics in Bushwick
September 29-December 15: Join this 12-week series with a community of people to unblock your creativity! You’ll be completing The Artists Way by Julia Cameron, which we highly recommend to discover your creative passions. ($30 per session or $360 for all 12 weeks) The Sound Mind Center in DUMBO
October 1st to November 12th: If you want some stories to tell for your next show/date/holiday/dinner, or to drag your ex with over the internet, this 6-week storytelling workshop is designed to make you an expert on the key elements of a great story! ($330) Written in Brooklyn virtual event
Attend a fun creative event:
Every Other Wednesday Morning: Start your mornings with reflection in this virtual journaling session that encourages connection and conversation. (FREE) Journaling Classes Virtual Event
Weekends: Come create with Brooklyn Renaissance! They offer a self-guided art lounge on Fridays 6-10pm and Saturdays and Sundays 12-8pm. (Varies by menu item) Brooklyn Renaissance in Downtown Brooklyn
September 28: If you like brunch and creative events with fellow girlies, check out For the Creative Girlies Brunch at Chez Omar a delightful gathering filled with good food, great company, and creative vibes! ($13) West Village
October 5th & 6th: The Brooklyn Museum will kick off its anniversary celebration with a Birthday Bash, filled with programming and events that will highlight the best of the borough and mark two centuries of doing things “the Brooklyn way.” (Free) Brooklyn Museum in Prospect Park
October 11: Bring your friends, grab a drink, and make some memories together at House of Creative III’s Open Mic Night. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a first-timer, this event is about having fun and expressing yourself. ($23) Prospect Lefferts Gardens
What is the 411? What have we been up to? Well, we’ll tell ya!
🔥NEWNEWNEW🔥 We started an interview series called Creative Changemakers, where we profile amazing community builders who are using creativity as a tool for connecting people! Our first interview is with Fanny, who owns Rue du Paradis, a bespoke lingerie studio that offers lingerie-making workshops. Check out the full interview here.
Our team got together in the big 🍎 to do some co-working 👭👭 and brainstorming about how we can continue to support community-driven spaces! Being a remote team means that we don’t have many chances to see each other in person. We had to make the most of it! Follow our Instagram, there *may* be some funny videos coming soon 😉.
Jane & Connie experimented with some funny and potentially cringey videos that we posted on Instagram and Tiktok. We’re social media shy millennials that are still getting used to putting our faces out there! (Peep the doggo cameo 🐶)
Do you know of a community-driven creative studio, art cafe, third place, or maker space that isn’t on our directory? Are you a business owner of a community-driven space?
Fill out our form to get the business added to The Creative Directory!
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Happy creating and thank you for joining us on this creative journey! Visit The Creative Directory to access the directory and learn more about us.