Weapons of Mass Creation Fest has the cure for creative fallout. With three days of music, art and workshops, the eighth annual conference invades Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood Aug. 18-20 with blast after blast of inspiration. Graphic designer and illustrator Amy Shock, who teams with graphic designer Nicholas Nawroth for a Friday workshop and Saturday panel discussion, offers us three challenges to light your creative fuse.
Newbies: Take on your hometown as a tourist by hitting hot spots and capturing pictures of the journey. “It opens your mind,” says Shock. “It’s a matter of gathering new experiences and kind of taking the time to see things from a different perspective.”
Intermediate: You and a friend create jars filled with handwritten fortunes — from funny anecdotes like “You will one day rule the world,” to daring instructions such as “Dance in the street to your favorite song.” Swap jars and pick a note when you need a random dose of inspiration. “It’s a matter of finding what you’re really passionate about and just doing something with it,” says Shock.
Advanced: Create a list of 13 things kids can do better than adults — like landing a new skateboarding trick — and then tap into your inner 8-year-old to tackle each challenge. “This allows you to be reminded of the value of being curious,” says Shock.
Counter Point: If you’re too burnt out to bounce back, turn things off Aug. 15 for National Relaxation Day. Shock recommends someplace quiet such as Green’s Southgate Park, which has three lakes and 5 miles of nature trails. “It doesn’t have to be far from civilization,” she says. “It’s just a matter of letting go of the chaos.”
