You wanna be where everybody knows your… art. Forty people gathered for the third edition of The Creatives Hangout to share their experiences, at Gleason’s in Peekskill on Tuesday, August 13. Creatives from marketing, design, fashion, documentaries, comics, and the culinary arts came together and confirmed that when it comes to imagination and creativity, even the sky is not the limit.

The Project Leaders

Kristiana Koller and Fred Dennstedt started the The Creatives Hangout so that local creatives could share knowledge, experiences, and contacts to “grow together.” Koller is a singer, songwriter, and educator who has lived in Peekskill for the past four years, having moved from Yorktown Heights.

Koller believes that enhancing these dialogue meetings is ideal for developing various activities and establishing collaborations. “It simply makes me happy to see people engaged and having a good time… I am very excited that this is happening,” she said. Although the organizers have not yet discussed next year’s event, they plan an even stronger gathering, where local creatives will continue to share in a relaxed environment.

While most attendees reserved their spots in advance, others decided to join at the last minute. For them, the event organizers had tickets available at the door. Additionally, a digital space was set up on the Discord platform to follow the hangout online.

The Creatives Hangout welcomed people from nearby towns like Putnam Valley and Ossining. During the event, integration activities were conducted. Each participant wore a tag of a different color and graphic with their name and gathered according to their distinct identifier. By the end of the evening, nearly three hours later, everyone had managed to share at least a moment with each of the participants.

Dennstedt, for his part, was excited about the reception the local creatives gave to the third gathering. Six years ago, the specialist in computer animation and social media left Brooklyn and made Peekskill his new home. He has worked to spread culture and art through the Peekskill Exurbanist platform. With the The Creatives Hangout, he aims to contribute to the community by providing a space that benefits residents and fosters a sense of belonging.

The organization of The Creatives Hangout is essential for Dennstedt because “you do not see many events like this here. I mean, there are open studios or music venues, but not a place where you can find everything together.”

Breaking Down Barriers

Jon Scott Bennett, filmmaker and writer, believes the best part of the creative gathering is the opportunity to bridge generational gaps. “Here, you see people in their twenties, forties, or sixties, and you can share with everyone in the same way… many things are happening here,” he said.

Scott Bennett attended the event on Dennstedt’s recommendation, although he also heard about the experience through social media. In addition to enjoying a pleasant time with people who are also passionate about art, he wanted to showcase his recent work (the second episode of The Peekskill Riots: The Friendly Town By The River).

Proud of his productions, Scott Bennett shared posters of his works with other creatives and immersed himself in different topics such as wine tasting, musical pieces, and writing. The Creatives Hangout excites him because it promotes culture through all kinds of artistic expressions. “This space is important. I mean, it is going to help Peekskill’s identity in the 21st century. People will be able to explore culture, and it is a meeting point where people can interact and express themselves freely.”

Michele Abounader is a comic book editor and uses graphic novels to captivate young readers. While she is a fan of superheroes, she notes that this is not the only theme. Her comics are somewhat more realistic and authentic, dealing with everyday topics in a fresh and entertaining way. For her, these networking events are ideal because they allow her to “connect with other people who also want to showcase their art.”

Although art was the common thread at the event, Taylor Mefford, a therapist specializing in emotional mental health counseling, arrived motivated to meet people from the area. He has been living in Peekskill for six years and feels that the gathering helped him connect with new friends. Mefford, originally from Utah, explains that many of his patients are from the artistic community, and attending The Creatives Hangout allowed him to understand them better.

Another motivation for participating in the event was to feel part of Peekskill’s culture and share a good moment with his neighbors. Initially, Mefford was a bit shy, but minutes later, he felt part of the group and enjoyed a warm moment with local creatives.

Going Big

Larry D’Amico is a local artist and Vice President of the Peekskill Arts Alliance. Although he is originally from Ossining, D’Amico moved to Peekskill in 1992 and he carries the city in his heart. That is why spreading local culture is the goal of his art and talking about diversity as well. D’Amico mentioned that you do not need to be an art expert to participate in these experiences. It is enough to have the intention to share your cultural heritage with others. (D’Amico is working on Peekskill’s Multicultural Collage/Quilts, a project aimed at integrating the community, which will take place at the Field Library on Saturday, August 24, from 1 to 4 P.M.)

The evening at Gleason’s concluded with some project ideas and collaborations. The organizers thanked the creatives for their attendance and distributed some awards. The event closed with a group photo and the pleasant memory of a good conversation among new friends.