I've had the great fortune of being able to connect with fellow creatives through Tiny Nuptials. With that being said, Id like to introduce Michelle Gomez of Creative Unions Event Design. She is an art curator and event planner who is bringing her energy to the Magic City and beyond.

Thank you so much for participating in a Tiny Feature! How did your love of art begin?

My love for art began when I was a toddler. Coloring books and crafts eventually turned into weekend art classes, which then turned into attending the best magnet arts high school in Miami (Go New World School of the Arts!) Which then lead into a fulfilling and very long six year art education at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, where I got my BFA in General Fine Arts followed by my MFA in Curatorial Practice. This lead to Creative Unions Event Design - the first event planning company dedicated to telling unique love stories through specially curated art exhibitions!

I cannot remember my life not ever being centered around art and organizing art exhibitions/events around art.

Creative Unions is such a cool and refreshing concept. What inspired you to become an event planner?

Miami is Nice co-curated by Nick Horan, Zachary Z. Handler, Creative Unions & Terrault GalleryPhoto by Kiirstn Pagan — **Miami is Nice** co-curated by Nick Horan, Zachary Z. Handler, Creative Unions & Terrault Gallery
*Photo by Kiirstn Pagan*

Thank you! I agree - it is sorely needed in an industry that repeats the same dominant traditions and event design blueprint!

When I was back home after going to school/working/living in Baltimore for 8 years, I was unemployed and figuring out my next steps (while simultaneously realizing I did not want to participate in the traditional 9-5 arts industry job). I meditated on the beach and thought to myself, what is the golden thread that brings together all of the various roles I held in the arts? That is when I realized that what I loved most about all the art exhibitions I have curated over the past ten years were the events that happened in those exhibitions, especially the opening receptions. I realized that I loved hosting and bringing people together. The people turn the art exhibition into a dialogue, which makes the exhibition and the artworks in it come to life.

You conceptualize events to the needs of your clients by incorporating the works of local artists and studios. How awesome is it to showcase their work and bring it to a maybe unfamiliar audience?

Photograph: Fluffy Pop PostcardsArtwork: "Pulse Portal" by Davis McCarty presented by Harbor East  and Light City Baltimore — Photograph: **Fluffy Pop Postcards**
*Artwork: "Pulse Portal" by **Davis McCarty** presented by Harbor East and Light City Baltimore*

I love surprising guests on what a wedding could be. Art becomes a natural coversation starter. It is a natural way to beautify an event in a very intentional and deep way. I love that art now becomes a huge part of a couple’s special day (one of many special days by the way), and therefore becomes an integral part of their communities lives. That impactful memory did not have to come from a day strolling at the museum.

That exhibition lives on forever in their mind because it’s associated with an important day/memory with their loved ones. They can now recognize that art IS everywhere and not just in traditional institutional spaces!

What is your favorite wedding trend at this very moment?

So I am really loving elopements right now. People are now understanding that elopements are not just drunken drive-thru's in Las Vegas. Couples are really embracing their unique styles and not feeling the burden of spending $50k+ on a wedding. They are embracing a more chilled out and intimate experience (I may want that for myself too since I plan events regularly, haha!).

Because of my growing love for this trend (while also knowing how hard it is for couples in my own generation and arts community to afford a traditional wedding), I am now offering elopement packages called “Art For Two, Please” where I help them find the existing art that surrounds and connects them to their personal love story - whether it be in a park, museum, gallery, or any other quirky space to get married in front of! Art is everywhere!

And the photos of their elopement become even more beautiful and spectacular with the art of their local neighborhoods.

Concept & Styling: Creative Unions Event Design X Fifth House Events/Artwork: Mural by Anika StarmerPhotography: Milana Braslavsky — *Concept & Styling: Creative Unions Event Design X Fifth House Events/Artwork: Mural by Anika Starmer*
Photography: **Milana Braslavsky**

A very special thanks to Michelle for her contribution to TN! Be sure to stay tuned to Creative Unions as new packages are coming soon!