What People Are Saying

WMC Fest is an experience that I find hard to describe in words. I’m extremely passionate about the event and can go on for hours about it. But don’t listen to me, here are the words of the fans and supporters, both local and national.

Click on a name to be taken to their quote.

WMC Fest is the perfect example of a home-grown art and design initiative bringing creative people together to learn and inspire, organized for the sheer love of the medium. We need more stuff like this. – James White, Signalnoise

WMC Fest celebrates creativity but more than that, it ignites a motivation for creatively impacting our communities. – Danielle DeBoe, Dredgers Union & Made in the 216

Weapons of Mass Creation is the beginning of a movement surrounding the collision of thinking, art, and music. It is creative culture on the offensive. – Eric Dodds, Brains on Fire

WMC Fest is a breath of fresh air in Cleveland. It’s exciting to see new, young, artistic talent already being nurtured and supported through an event like this. – Scott Heisel, Alternative Press Magazine

In this age of digital everything, it is inspiring to see people physically get together in a room and share ideas. The world was designed offline and our collective futures require more real facetime and less Facebook. – David Gensler, The KDU

I have this sinking feeling that so many creative types are becoming impatient with professional organizations facilitating our growth, learning experiences and yeah, even our fun. It’s no secret that there’s a growing trend in grassroots movements within this industry to address just that. And WMC Fest is a perfect example of it. – Mig Reyes, Threadless

It was great having WMC at Cleveland Public Theatre last year. I got the chance to check out a late-night part of the show and I found it exciting and heartening. This community has so many inspiring, inventive individuals – if we continue to keep our eyes and our energy focused on Cleveland, we can make incredible things happen here. – Chris Seibert, Cleveland Public Theatre

Weapons of Mass Creation are in fact the the mass of creators themselves and to see a fest that strives to showcase those individuals and their talents is a breath of fresh aerosol spraying creative through music, art, and people. – Jacob Edwards, Jakprints

The 2011 WMC Fest is Cleveland Pride, Creative Entrepreneurship, and Autonomy Mastery and Purpose ON STEROIDS… any questions? – Todd Saperstein, Graphic Design Chair, VMCAD

Weapons of Mass Creation captures Cleveland’s thriving creative spirit and delivers it with an unaffected cool. It unites a wide breadth of artists – designers, musicians, filmmakers – giving them a vibrant forum and a receptive audience of like-minded entrepreneurs and regional advocates. It’s inspired programming that highlights the depth of arts appreciation and forward-thinking development in Northeast Ohio. It’s exactly the type of festival Ohio Authority is only too happy to support. – Ivan Sheehan, Ohio Authority

WMC Fest is a much needed dose of creativity and inspiration in the mid-west; a great opportunity to experience the spirit of independent creativity from across the US. – Eric Carl, Sans Concept

When people look back in twenty or fifty years to the beginnings of the Cleveland artistic renaissance, this will be one of the grassroots events that keeps coming up as a catalyst for creative cooperation and expression. – Andrew Samtoy, The Turning River

If we’re going to leave things better than we found them, it’s going to be up to the creators and those who care and are willing to do something about it. What’s best about events like WMC Fest is that they put so many of those people together in one place. Great things come from environments like that. – Joseph Hughes, Northcoast Zeitgeist

I had a great time at Weapons of Mass Creation Fest last year. It had a great DIY aesthetic and a nice laid-back vibe. I loved when Ryan Weitzel and Stephe DK were booking bands on a regular basis at the Parish Hall and I miss seeing shows there so much, so it was great being back in that space seeing awesome music again. It was a blast getting to see Saintseneca, who are one of my favorite bands in Columbus these days, plus some great touring acts especially Lavis Blake, who were so fun and energetic and a big surprise, and David Dondero and Mose Giganticus. It’ll be great to see Weapons of Mass Creation back in the burgeoning Gordon Square Arts District holding it at awesome spaces like the Wall Eye Gallery, which is one of my favorite galleries in Cleveland right now, and at the Happy Dog, which is one of the funnest places to see a show. – Steve Barrett, WRUW FM 91.1

WMC 2010 was a celebration testifying to the creativity eager to burst forth in the Cleveland area. Jeff Finley and his merry men (and women) know how to deliver a smorgasbord of imagination, art and thought-provoking entertainment. – Carlo Wolff, Freelance Journalist

Weapons of Mass Creation is a great new movement sweeping the community. It inspires people to incorporate more creativity into all aspects of their lives. – Deb Singer, Hear/Say Magazine

In very little time, the Weapons of Mass Creation Fest has forged an authentic community of creatives. I love its inviting, down-to-earth, intimate vibe. It’s an honor to have presented my film at the inaugural festival, and I’m looking forward to being there again. – Jay Delaney, Filmmaker

WMC Fest is about connecting. Our world is digitally connected more than ever before, but disconnected physically. I enjoyed the casual conversations with other creatives, discussing my work with curious passers-by, tossing my 2 cents in after the lectures had concluded, and being able to tell the bands they ruled, after their set. – Sam Kaufman, East Fork Studio

I’m always impressed by the amount of talent in Northeast Ohio. As an artist, I’m proud to hail from this area and this event is EXACTLY what we need here. WMC Fest embodies the blue collar DIY attitude that when mixed with creativity produces something epic. – Dave Mottram, Freelance Illustrator

Weapons of Mass Creation Fest is awesome because it involves a lot of different things and people who normally wouldn’t be experiencing the things that the fest offers. – Adam Paduch, Two Hand Fools

WMC is an inspiration to young designers and just anyone with creativity who wants to make a difference. It brings together a community of creative individuals and gives them a place to showcase their work and what it can do for the community. – Cristina Muñoz, Student at VMCAD

Supported through guerrilla marketing and word of mouth advertising, Weapons of Mass Creation gathers the best into one location and transcends Cleveland city limits through music, mixed media and good people. It’s a simple reminder of the raw talent throughout the city. – Shelley Turk, Songbird

It was great to not only meet other creatives, but also to be inspired by success stories and fuel that fire of motivation light up again. – Amanda Johnson, Here’s Looking at Me, Kid

Weapons of Mass Creation is one of those great things that happened in the design community that emphasizes the spirit of collaboration over competition. The quietest voices are as well heard as the loudest, and speaking in harmony rather in dichotomy. There’s a strong “we’re all in this together and all trying to make a positive impact” feel. – Simon H. and Jon Savage, Studio Ace of Spade

After briefly checking out last year’s show, I believe that WMC (Cleveland!) has the potential to become a well-known staple of the gathering of art, design and creative minds. As an aspiring graphic designer, it’s very inspiring to be given the chance and opportunity to talk one-on-one with artists, whose blogs I frequently visit, and find out what goes on inside their brains. – Tom Szorady, Freelance Designer

When I think about 2010′s WMC, I think tacos, live music, and awesome Q&A’s with the industries top dudes! What more could you ask for? A must attend for fans of music, the arts and solid good times! – LT Magnotto, Jakprints/imageseps.com

WMC Fest has really been a great way to meet, not only otter designers, but filmmakers and other creative people I don’t generally get in contact with. What is so inspirational has been seeing all the new connections that form through this one event. It really has help build the community not only in Cleveland but all over the Midwest. I am so thrilled to be a part of this event! – Katie Major, Fizz Creative

Weapons of Mass Creation fuses together art and music the way it should be. It brings together people who are open minded and passionate about their craft. – Matt Murphy, Jakprints

WMC Fest has the potential to be a premiere festival for creative minds in the Midwest. With a great first year under it’s belt, WMC Fest is bound to expand and continue to inspire people of all ages whether they are interested in art, design, music, film, or culture in general. – Zach Christy, Video Engineer at Uppercut.tv

WMC was fun, innovative and exciting without taking after other events that attempt to present themselves that way. It made me proud to be part of Cleveland’s creative community. – Max Stern, Signals Midwest

I took my little sister to WMC, an aspiring artist herself. It was an amazing experience and a great showcase of local talent. A very inspirational and energetic experience that I couldn’t stop telling others about. I still have their sticker on the front of my laptop. – Jonathan Knapp, Coffee And Code

I found last years venue and vibe to be inspiring and informational. A great place to pick up on cutting edge creative trends, and to have fun too. – Jorge Delarosa, Slow Mutants

It was inspiring to have so much creative energy in one place. Such an amazing experience. – James Dziemianzuk, Graphic/UI Designer

WMC Fest is a fest like no other I’ve seen before. What makes WMC Fest unique is that it goes beyond celebrating music alone by incorporating it into a larger picture of artists such as graphic artists, designs, speakers, and more to foster a community of creativity. WMC Fest is a meeting of the creative! – Matt Garfield, Mose Giganticus

The Weapons of Mass Creation Fest is a progressive festival where various visionary artists, musicians, and filmmakers get together to celebrate creativity. I feel that this festival truly captures the independent spirit and is deeply rooted in creating a community & culture for like minded individuals. – Niki Giglio, Live Nation

Think of all the people you’ve been meaning to see over the years. All those musicians, entrepreneurs and artists you’ve wanted to shake hands with and say ‘I believe in what you’re doing.’ Now, imagine all of those people in one place — laughing, performing, presenting, engaging — that’s WMC Fest.” – Liz Hunt, Information Designer

Weapons of Mass Creation is the real DIY Music, Art, and Design fest with attitude. Overflowing with anxious reverb and layers of texture from the peeps who are making it happen. You should participate! – Scott Meier, Scribblewerks

It’s great to see a festival shining the light on some of the amazing talent we have locally. – Brad Colbow, Freelance Web Developer

WMC is more than grassroots, or creators that defy the hand they’re dealt. It’s about a sense of community in a city left for dead, economically abandoned, and stronger because of it. – Chris Bowen, Burning River

WMC offered me the chance to meet and talk with a lot of great artists and experience new, fresh music that I had never heard. I made some new friends at WMC and had a great time. You get the feeling that WMC could be the start of something big, likened to a new generation’s Warped Tour. – Andy Chapman

WMC really is a subterranean celebration for people who know people who create art. I felt very much like I had a hand in supporting the local scene here in Cleveland, and I’m very excited to see how the Fest grows from here on out. – Emily Ouzts, Writer at EmilyRaised

WMC is set up in a very unusual way that I think sets it apart from other, more conventional festivals. There’s a sense of unique vision that elevate it above other less interesting art/film/music events. – Jason LaRay Keener, Film Director at Reining Nails

WMC is the epicenter of Cleveland’s creative community. Filmmakers, bands, graphic designers, artists, we are all Weapons of Mass Creation and WMC Fest brings us all together to form a creative arsenal of idea-sharing and inspiration. To draw from each other, to learn from other art forms, to find new inspiration makes us all stronger creative professionals. WMC Fest is a great crucible for Cleveland creatives to come together, to learn, to share ideas and become stronger individually and collectively. – Eric Kuentz, Empty Wallet Productions

WMC Fest is an eclectic mix of men and women communicating their own creativity and inspiration in the form of music, art and design. It’s a great place to make new connections and learn that you’re not alone in striving to make Cleveland a more art centered city. – Heather Mariano, photographer

The Weapons of Mass Creation Festival, a.k.a WMC Fest, gives us a chance to break away from our studios, our desks, and the virtual space so many creative young professionals find themselves immersed in on a daily basis. Our slice of the community who create… those who style the landscapes, the facades, the walls, the brands, the airwaves, arguably the visionaries of society’s culture – this event is for you and in honor of you. WMC seeks to break down the barriers, loose associations, even competitions, between our inspired minority and give us our own arena to cultivate a more elevated union. The way we perceive the world and our uncommon gift of making any medium into our muse, IS our common bond. It’s a bond that should be promoted, celebrated and shared with one another as well as magnified to our audience. Yes, it is an abstract notion. Yes, it defies conformity. Yes, it is an unusual endeavor. But isn’t that how great things are created? Let’s stray from the usual. If anyone can, it’s you. Please join us at the WMC Fest, 2011! – Wilson Revehl, Go Media

WMC Fest is a great venue to venture off the beaten path; outside of the “usual” blogs, the big conferences and the industry darlings – to see real creativity in action. It’s a showcase and celebration of great art, design, and music with plenty of raw Midwest flavor. – Eric Browning, Five O’Clock Friday

The WMC fest was one of the highlights of my summer. The creativity of the speakers, designers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers was a breath of fresh air. I look forward to bringing my whole team back! – Joshua Shank, Designer

Weapons of Mass Creation is a unique fusion of art and design that Cleveland has never seen before. – Phil Hoyt, Video Engineer

WMC Fest is an opportunity to connect with like-minded artists who refuse to be a part of an age of apathy and mediocrity. The community is inspirational and encouraging; precisely what every freelance artist needs! – Dan Martin, Designer

Few promoters and venues really understand the need for creative gatherings to be more about community then a place for people to meet, as WMC does. A place were creative professionals and clients unite and participate in an experience that truly inspires creative thought. Jeff and the team are a force to be reckoned with, and will hopefully become the go to spot every year for creative’s and non creative’s to interact and experience what WMC has to offer. – Nick Beaulieu, Designer

WMC Fest is not just about the individual bands, speakers, and artists. Rather, it’s the amalgam of all the tiny parts that really allow you to appreciate the beauty of the diy culture. – Shom Mazumder, Student

Last year I found out about WMC from a friend, it was the coolest thing. Being a recent Graphic Design graduate it was nice to meet other people in the industry. Great networking and way to meet new friends. – Jani Sandor, Designer

Weapons of Mass Creation showcases exceptional cutting edge talent and creativity. Last years Fest was inspirational, educational, and energetic. – Michael Manelski, Graphic Designer

WMC Fest is proof that Cleveland is still alive and thriving full of talented and fearless individuals who are proud to call this home, despite the loss of our ‘King.’ – Joey Pedecini, Student

WMC Fest 2010 was a fun event that displayed and encouraged creative works of music, film, and artwork. I am excited to see events like WMC Fest sharing the local musical and artistic talent with the community. – Ben Chan, Attendee

WMC Fest was a lot of fun! It brought together a lot of different people and groups to enjoy the weekend together and share ideas. – Patrick Graham, Spraynard

WMC is the kind event you want to be involved with. It brings the culture of art and the spirit of creativity back into the community, into the heart of Cleveland. It’s a chance for like-minded individuals to share their passion in a weekend full of great art, lively music, and friendly people. WMC is inspiration integrated with community. It’s hard to walk away from WMC without a few new friends and whole bag of fresh ideas. It’s the kind of event you don’t want to miss. – Nathan Sutton, student

WMC Fest could very well turn into an annual must attend event for professional creatives in our region. I’m looking forward to attending again this year and seeing the growth. – Rob Fernandez, IndieMerch

It was great that people from inside and outside the state came to show their artistic talents. – Anita Barnes, Fired Eyes

WMC Fest is on the up and up! Look forward to great things from this friendly Cleveland arts and music gathering. – Elliot Swauger, Lavis Blake