CreativeMornings Portland

Y/Y? 👾 Will we see you on July 31 for featuring Will Lewis of ? 🐽 

Our theme for July is COMPETENCIA. It was chosen by our in Chile and illustrated by .

Competencia (pronounced “kohm·peh·TEN·see·ah”) is a Spanish word that translates to “competition.”

The phrase “iron sharpens iron” means competing against the best makes us better; just as rubbing two pieces of metal together makes both sharper. The desire to win fuels greater effort. But it can also lead to resentment and burnout. 

Creative work doesn’t have to be a zero sum game. Improving at your craft doesn’t require beating everyone else. Your real competition is a past version of yourself. And true victory is enjoying getting a little bit better than you were yesterday.

Our Santiago chapter had this to say about the significance of this month’s theme:

“Competition in Santiago’s creative community is a complex and often contradictory feeling. On one hand, it drives us to improve, innovate, and push boundaries. On the other, it fosters comparison, stress, and isolation.

For CreativeMornings/Santiago, competition is not about defeating others, but about challenging ourselves to grow while supporting those around us. We believe healthy competition can inspire creativity, but only when it doesn’t overshadow collaboration and community.

In Chile, where resources can be scarce and the creative market relatively small, competition can feel intense. Yet, our chapter sees it as a reminder to balance ambition with empathy, to celebrate each other’s successes, and to share knowledge openly.

We encourage our community to reframe competition—not as a race to the top, but as a way to raise the bar together. This mindset helps us foster a supportive environment where creatives feel empowered to take risks, learn from one another, and create without fear.”

  

Did you RSVP for CreativeMornings on 3/27? 👉 link in bio

For theme LOCAL, we couldn’t pass up the chance to bring you not one but four speakers. Why? Because there is no one way to be “local.” It’s about community, connection & belonging. Kevin, Daren, Joaquin & Fuchsia each bring a singular perspective on how places define us (or don’t), the importance of developing community around arts & culture, and how different spaces offer inspiration and opportunities to forge bonds with people around us.

MEET THE SPEAKERS
✨ Fuchsia Lin () is a Taiwanese-American artist, fashion/costume designer and filmmaker who has worked in NYC, Paris and Taipei. Her imaginative art and performance work invites people together from across the disciplines of film, fashion, dance and the performing artsint her fantastical worlds. Her work has won numerous grants and awards, including the Women in Film PDX Vision Grant Narrative Award for her film Future Cosmos Flow.

✨ Joaquin Lopez () is a performing artist and counselor whose work is grounded in personal transformation, self-expression, and Latino Q***r identity. He holds a passion for producing cultural events that honor Latin American heritage and Latino Gay culture. Among May arts & culture leadership roles in Oregon, Joaquin recently served as a Portland Creative Laureate.

✨ Daren Todd () is a muralist and multidisciplinary artist whose work fosters inclusivity and advocates for equality for marginalized communities, addressing themes such as q***r visibility, racial justice, and support for immigrant communities. Through his creative firm Art Larger Than Me, Daren creates art that inspires conversations and personal reflection.

✨ Kevin Truong () is a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and journalist. Born in a refugee camp for Vietnamese boat people in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kevin and his family immigrated to the U.S. the following year. His projects include The Gay Men Project, , and feature length documentary Mai American.

💜 Whether long time Portlander or brand new, at you’re always a local. 💜