SALEM — The North Shore's first "creative bump" was held last night at Finz restaurant, a get-together for some of the more than 200 businesses that make up the city's creative economy.
The event was held to focus attention on and try to expand the "creative economy" — a business sector that includes artists, musicians, writers, engineers, graphic designers, architects, consultants, museum curators and others who generate jobs, products and services through creativity.
Creative businesses on the North Shore account for more than $3 billion in annual sales and employ 20,000 people, according to a study released this year by The Enterprise Center at Salem State College, The Salem Partnership and the Creative Economy Association of the North Shore.
On the North Shore, the creative economy initiative involves the communities of Salem, Beverly, Peabody, Danvers, Marblehead, Gloucester, Lynn, Rockport, Amesbury and Newburyport.
At last night's event, Mayor Kim Driscoll declared yesterday "Creative Economy Day."
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From left, David Greenway of Choriste Partners, Bobbie Bush of Bobbie Bush Photography and Paula Beaulieu of Connect with your Creativity art workshops attend a reception hosted by the Creative North Shore business group at Finz restaurant last night. The creative economy study group aims to learn more about the needs of creative arts businesses the obstacles they face.Deborah Parker/Staff photo(Click for larger image)
From left, Alicia Diozzi of North Shore Children and Families, Bruce Whear of Wire 4 Hire, Debra Glabeau of Great Island Design and Mike Blier of Landmark Studios pause for a moment at last night's creative economy reception.Deborah Parker/Staff photo(Click for larger image)
Jen Toomey of the Enterprising Center at Salem State College and Eric Brown of In the Dark Productions talk things over at a reception hosted by the Creative North Shore business group at Finz restaurant.Deborah Parker/Staff photo(Click for larger image)
From left, Mike Epstein of Digital Imaging and Brent LeLand of LeLand Creative hash over a few ideas at last night's reception at Finz restaurant.Deborah Parker/Staff photo(Click for larger image)
