The Weapons of Mass Creation Fest is the premier art, design, and music event in the Midwest. Now in its fourth year, 1,200+ attendees will descend upon Cleveland for three days in August to see 20 speakers, 20 designers, and over 30 bands. Creative professionals, entrepreneurs, musicians, artists, students, and fans will gather to learn, get inspired, collaborate, network, and celebrate together.
Founded by Go Media designer and partner Jeff Finley, Weapons of Mass Creation is a young grassroots movement to inspire and enable the creative mind. Finley, along with collaborators Jesse Sloan, Joseph Hughes and Todd Gauman, believe that good things happen when ideas and talents are shared within the community, and that this mentality manifests itself in the lifestyle of a Weapon of Mass Creation.Their festival, Weapons of Mass Creation, celebrates individuals who defy the hand they’re dealt, make something out of nothing and live to create.
Running August 16 through 18, this year’s Weapons of Mass Creation will feature over 70 performances and will include inspiring talks on topics such as graphic design, art, entrepreneurship, leadership, productivity and creativity.Jaw-dropping art and design shows will highlight both local and regional talent including album art, t-shirt design, typography, poster art, toy design, fashion design and illustration. Over 30 bands will hit WMC’s intimate stages, and attendees will also be treated to epic breakdancing battles from bboys and bgirls from all around the country.
Attendees can look forward to speeches from Jon Contino, Jaqui Oakley, Brandon Rike, Lisa Congdon, Alonzo Felix, Kristy Tillman, Nick Disabato, Adam Garcia, Ann Friedman, Dylan Lathrop, John Jennings, These are Things, Christen Carter, Stewart Scott-Curran, Rena Tom, Kern and Burn, Caroline Moore, Stephanie Landes, Troy Deshano, and more TBA!
They’ll also see the work of designers including Strawberry Luna, Mark Brickey, Derrick Castle, Lauren Marx, Andrio Abero, Katie Parland, Nicole Melville, Andrea Pippins, Dan Dickson, Jessica Paoli, and more.
Bands include Braid, Astronautalis, F Stokes, Whirr, Signals Midwest, Annabel, The Appleseed Cast,Tristen, William Tyler, Des Ark, The Spring Standards, The Sidekicks, Football, Etc., Nothing, Deer Vibes, Shisho, Kitty Hawk, Outer Spaces, Glish, Cherry Cola Champions, Ages, Metavari, Ma Jolie, Cayetana, Worship This, Barrow, Living Room, Apart, Citycop, The Modern Electric, Muamin Collective, Freeze-Tag, Extra Medium Pony, Seafair, Filmstrip, So Long Albatross,
Leah Lou & The 2 Left Shoes, Two Hand Fools, Ohio Sky and
Regular Shoulders.
WMC Fest is currently raising funds on Kickstarter, where tickets are also being sold. Those who wish to attend the fest are encouraged to pledge $60 on Kickstarter by June 6th, having access to the cheapest ticket to WMC and saving a total of $10 after fees for helping to reach the funding goal. Also available are tickets to the Friday night mixer partyfor $10 and single day pass tickets for $35.
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