Coming together for Canvas Night

SANDUSKY — A new tradition of creativity and community is coming to downtown Sandusky. Canvas Night — a biweekly celebration of music, art and local culture — will launch on Saturday, Oct. 25 at The Emporium at West Market Street, 314 W. Market. St., Sandusky. It's located in the Sandusky Register building. The idea for Canvas Night began earlier this year when E.J. Brinson, the United Way of Erie County's executive director, and Darian Shepherd, a creative artist and owner of Undrstr, met to discuss how to elevate Erie County's creative community. They envisioned an event that would: • Give artists and performers a shared stage • Spark collaboration • Create new opportunities for connection and growth. To move the vision forward, they connected with The Emporium at West Market Street, part of GMA Asset Management Group, overseen by Alan and Mimi Chicotel. "Their leadership and commitment to revitalizing downtown Sandusky made them natural collaborators," according to a joint statement. "Together the group curated the atmosphere for Canvas Night, secured the first lineup and positioned The Emporium as the home of this new community tradition. Why Canvas Night? Brinson said, "Sandusky is experiencing a cultural resurgence, and Canvas Night is designed to build on that momentum." Each evening will feature live music, artisan vendors, food trucks and family-friendly activities. By providing artists of all kinds — musicians, painters, poets and dancers, a collective canvas — the event will showcase local talent while strengthening community spirit. "As a creative artist, I know how important it is for local talent to be celebrated and supported," Shepherd said. "Canvas Night gives us a chance to collaborate and build something bigger than ourselves—something that connects our entire community." Added Brinson: "Canvas Night is more than entertainment: It's a movement. It shows what happens when creativity and community come together: Culture is strengthened, opportunities are created, and lives are impacted. Every night we gather is another step toward building the kind of Erie County we all want to live in." Want to go? The first Canvas Night takes place from 8-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at The Emporium. Scheduled performers on opening night include DJ Chosen, Jimmy Da Gunner and Jonah J Dott. Going forward, these events will occur every two weeks on Saturday nights. A portion of the proceeds from each event will benefit the community. United Way of Erie County will receive 25% of the net proceeds, directly supporting their mission to serve the community. Artists, businesses and residents are invited to be part of Canvas Night and help shape this new Sandusky tradition "where creativity, culture and community come together," the event statement read. For more information, people can contact the United Way by: • Calling 419-625-4672 • Visiting uweriecounty.org • Emailing ejbrinson@uweriecounty.org People can also visit emporiumwestmarket.com.