WELCOME CREATIVITY

Speaker on Creativity, Absurdity, and the Power of Surprise

Ideas only come to life when we share them.

I’m Greg Dietzenbach—creative director, artist, and self-proclaimed half crow. I chase ideas the way crows chase shiny things: constantly, curiously, and with a deep love for what’s unexpected.

Over the years, I’ve created everything from immersive exhibits to interactive public art to storytelling experiments that sit somewhere between joyful and “what is even happening right now?” My talks explore that space—how surprise, humor, and weirdness can connect us, wake us up, and get us making again.

Why Book Me?
These aren’t lectures. They’re creative jolts. I blend storytelling, visuals, and unexpected takeaways to get people thinking differently, laughing out loud, and wanting to make something weird just for the joy of it.

You’ll laugh. You’ll learn. You’ll leave itching to chase your own wild idea—just to see where it leads.

Talks That Hit

1. “Building Wonder: How Absurd Public Art Creates Connection”

Format: 40–50 min keynote
When my kids got too old to trick-or-treat, I built a monster into our front door. The next year, I spilled pumpkin guts all over the house. These weren’t just Halloween decorations—they were invitations. This talk unpacks how absurdity, humor, and spectacle can create emotional resonance and community connection. A favorite among arts organizations, educators, and anyone who thinks creativity is only for “real artists.”

2. “What If It Talked Back?”: Designing for Delight in a Skeptical World

Format: Lightning Talk (15 min)
At a public chalk event, I made the drawings talk. But to hear them, you had to put your phone down and look through someone else’s. This short, surprising talk is about building interactivity into art and using constraints to force presence, curiosity, and connection. Works great in innovation, design, or digital storytelling contexts.

3. “Creativity in the Cornfields: Why the Midwest Makes Makers”

Format: 40–50 min reflective talk
Born, raised, and still based in Iowa, I know what boredom can do to a brain—it forces invention. This personal, funny, and heartfelt talk explores how growing up rural shaped my creative outlook, and why I believe the Midwest is a hotbed of untapped creative power.

Not sure what format is best? I’m happy to help you shape something that fits your audience.