Been in Merced since June — where do kids or creatives here go to be creative? Genuinely asking
I've been staying with family friends on and off in Merced since June. As someone who is originally from Sacramento, I am shocked with the sheer number of corporate stores here. Starbucks x100. Olive Garden. Target. CVS. Walgreens. Jamba. Papa John's. It's just the same ol' same ol' everywhere. I have noticed the mom and pop shops, which I always love to see, but I'm curious to know where there are creative outlets here?
Back in Sac, we have Blick's, The Creative Space, and pop-up events throughout the city/year to host creative events including poetry slams, wine/paint nights and whatever else they're cooking in the grid. Crawls along J Street were always the coolest to experience growing up. Now.... with Merced.... what do ya'll do? I see a lot of kids when I'm here, especially middle school to high school-aged kids. Do they have a place to paint, build, be curious?
I hope I do not come off as offensive, I'm genuinely curious. Does this just not exist here? I have done searches for local creators, and I am really impressed with what I see (ex. the mural in Walmart's entrance). Where do creative people gather?