This year has been flying by. Since our last chat, you probably filed your taxes but—more importantly—probably caught the total solar eclipse! Did you know taking time to appreciate new experiences like that is essential for your mental health and actually makes time feel like it’s passing slower?

Anyway, if you’re missing the abrupt departure of eclipse marketing, another “novel” (yeah, it’s a pun) experience you can create for yourself is visiting independent bookstores on Independent Bookstore Day this April 27th. We’ve got your shop stops covered below, but if you don’t know what book to buy, this New York Times article might be exactly what you need.

Today, our hero is Douglas S. Noonan, Ph.D. from Indiana University Indianapolis, who published a 2024 study titled “Arts and Creativity Drive Economies and Build Resilience.” In his study, Noonan found that arts sector growth positively impacts overall economic growth in the United States. He also found that creative economies have a remarkable ability to provide opportunities after economic downturns (including COVID-19). 

Additionally, Noonan pointed out that the arts and creative industries comprise 4.4% of the United States’ GDP, more than construction, agriculture, transportation, and mining. With such strong evidence that the creative economy helps the overall economy thrive, how can we invest more in our creative industries and arts?

April 27 is National Independent Bookstore Day, and we want to make sure you’re prepared to take advantage of it. Check out these offerings and independent bookstores around Indianapolis—I know we’ll be doing the same!

But these certainly aren’t all the independent bookstores in the area. Go bookstore hopping and check out places like Tomorrow Bookstore, Dream Palace Books and Coffee, Indy Reads Books, Golden Hour Books, Beyond Barcodes Bookstore, and Ujamaa Community Bookstore. We know you’ll find your next good read at one of these fantastic bookstores!

Congratulations to PATTERN board member & Green Loop Marketing CEO Melanie Allen for being named one of IBJ’s 2024 40 Under 40! Read more about one of our favorite humans here.

In other news, staff writer and editor Jenny Walton joined Arianna Cruz for MORE Magazine’s weekly podcast along with Reza Cristián from SUSTAIN THE MAG. You can listen here.

We're also in the final weeks of our print project with IU Innovates. Their entrepreneurial storytelling book utilizes our design, photography, and writing to showcase a range of incredible innovators in the student body and faculty of IU. (Have print or digital storytelling needs? We want to help! Email [email protected])

A few snags have delayed PATTERN Vol. 25, but you better believe it’s coming. Nothing but net . . . or actually, no net but definitely a lot of basketball. Keep an eye out for more soon.

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