CREATIVITY OR BUST

ART BY LOST COLONY

Collective Arts was founded ten years ago with the idea that creativity makes the world a better place. This belief remains true to this day. If we’re not living, breathing and delivering creativity with our beers, spirits, non-alc drinks, parties, taprooms, beer halls and beyond, then what the hell is the point?

We’ve seen a lot come and go ten years in, but let me take a second to paint a picture for you. It’s the summer of 2023, we’re filling our days consuming TikTok dance moves, news articles about artificial intelligence taking over the world, planning to pre-order Vision Pro headsets (why!?), and I decided we should make a print publication. Am I losing my mind?

Some might say print is dead, but it seems to me what’s old is new again, and it’s back with a vengeance. Hell, I bought a cassette on Record Store Day (Alexisonfire x Moneen’s Switcheroo, to be exact). Nineties fashion is in. Lil Uzi Vert covered System of Down’s “Chop Suey” on their latest record. There are no rules anymore, and if there is ever a good time to justify making a print publication, it’s right now.

Call me old-fashioned (or new school, depending on your outlook), but holding something in your hands feels good, and if you’re reading this, you know what I’m talking about. There is something magical and satisfying about flipping through records at a local shop, browsing physical magazines, and sketching or writing with an actual pen and paper. In a world of NFTs and doom-scrolling, we wanted to create an opportunity for you to slow things down, put your phone away and get inspired.

Was it the wrong decision to start a publication? Fuck it. Here I am, introducing Creativity Issue #1. This first edition features Emily May Rose (the artist behind Toronto’s favourite raccoon murals and owner of Northern Contemporary Art Gallery), emerging bands Zuto and Loviet, GoopDude’s skateboard art show and so much more. And best of all, we’re just getting started.

STEVE ST. JEAN HEAD OF BRAND CREATIVE