THIS IS OUR BLOG.
NEWSLETTER 42
THIS IS OUR NEWSLETTER
Gratitude,
As the year unfolds, we’re filled with immense gratitude for the opportunities we’ve been given to create, connect, and contribute to our community. Each project we’ve embarked upon has deepened our ties, expanded our creative horizons, and allowed us to collaborate with clients who inspire us. This season, we’re especially thankful for the moments that encouraged us to slow down, celebrate milestones, and invest in the growth and development with some of our partners.
Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to, and what lies ahead.
SLŌ | 10.25.24
SLŌ with DEVASENA SRIKANTH
In our fast-paced world, the chance to slow down, savor each bite, and truly be present is invaluable. Recently, our team hosted a serene dinner featuring vegetarian Indian cuisine crafted by Devasena Srikanth emphasizing mindfulness and the beauty of shared experiences. The atmosphere was warm, the aromas inviting, and the intention clear: to help everyone pause and appreciate each moment.
This gathering was more than just a meal; it was a reminder of our commitment to fostering well-being and connection within our team and beyond. As we embraced the flavors and artistry of Indian cuisine, we were reminded of how design, too, is about presence—being fully engaged in the moment to craft something meaningful.
CHURCH 52 VISIT | 10.27.24
CHURCH 52 BRAND ROLLOUT
A site visit to the recently rebranded Church 52 allowed us to witness the application of our branding work in real life—a truly gratifying experience. The church community’s response to the new brand identity has been overwhelmingly positive, and seeing our work in action was a rewarding culmination of the design process this their leadership team. From updated signage to fresh interior wayfinding, supporting graphics and printed materials, every detail reinforced the vision and purpose that was co-created with the church team.
Celebrating this milestone alongside the congregation was deeply meaningful. Their enthusiasm affirmed that branding is not just about visuals but about identity and belonging. You can learn more about Church 52 here.
SMCCP | 10.28.24
STRENGTHENING MINISTRY with CHILDREN CONFERENCE
This year, we supported the Strengthening Ministry with Children Coordination Program, led by our friends at IWU and funded by the Lily Endowment.
The conference provided an enriching space for these organizations, underscoring the importance of thoughtful, innovative solutions for those they are serving. As designers of the brand identity, we continued our contributions to this welcoming environment with photography, design consultation, and hands-on preparation. You can learn more about SMCCP and see the brand in action here.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WORKSHOP / EVENT RENTALS | 10.26-10.29.24
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Attending a recent Community Foundation workshop facilitated by Ball State University was a valuable opportunity for learning and collaboration. This session gathered representatives from across the county to discuss growth areas, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate progress, and we were grateful to be part of the dialogue. This workshop also highlighted the importance of continuous improvement. Just as design requires iteration and reflection, so does community building. Engaging with others who share a vision for our county’s future has deepened our commitment to designing solutions that make a difference.
We’ve had the pleasure of hosting many events in our studio space, offering a versatile venue for gatherings. One of these special events gathered last week in conjunction with the Indiana Motorcycle Preservation Society (IMPS) and the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Indianapolis at the Kennedy Art Center. This was the final event of a series of commemorative activities celebrating the life and legacy of 24th Infantry Buffalo Soldier Private Gerald Dixon. This event highlighted a diverse range of events we’ve hosted this year and has reinforced our belief in the power of spaces to inspire, and we’re excited to continue welcoming new stories within these walls.
If you’re looking for an exceptional venue to host your next event, you can learn more from the Kennedy Art Center right here.
MINI MASTERCLASSES | 11.09.24
AI, FRIEND OR FOE?
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to announce a series of masterclasses we’ll be hosting over the next several months, with the first session kicking off next week. These masterclasses are designed to dive deeply into specialized topics, offering valuable insights and skill-building opportunities (but within a reasonable timeline, most lasting only 1-2 hours!). Our goal is to share knowledge and foster growth within our creative community. We can’t wait to embark on this journey and see the talent and creativity that these sessions will undoubtedly inspire.
Is your team or family up on the latest AI information? Join us for our first Mini Masterclass this Saturday, November 9th from 1:00pm-2:00pm: “AI, Friend or Foe?” led by Evan Gilmore, the Marketing & Communications Coordinator for United Way Grant County. Because we believe we learn better together, we're offering a special $5 discount per ticket if you sign up 2 or more of your team or family members for this important class. Just enter code CODE5 to receive the discount.
BLACK FRIDAY & SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SALE
We have tons of new products in the store just in time for Christmas shopping. To celebrate Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, we’re offering 30% off everything for two days only. Buy online only on Friday and online and in the store on Saturday. Keep your eyes peeled for the discount code in your email before Thanksgiving!
YOU ARE THE ANSWER
NEWSLETTER 41
UCDA KEYNOTE: PRESENCE CHANGES PERCEPTION
This weekend Wendy spoke at the UCDA Conference in Indianapolis (University and College Designers Association). Her keynote, "Presence Changes Perception" was catered specifically to designers in professional, educational, and student contexts.
Using examples from the Marion Design Co. story, attendees were introduced to three new Design Thinking tools and the following principles to guide them:
A. Presence changes perception
B. Assets are found inside a problem where passions already exist.
C. Every problem carries just enough assets to meet the needs.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: COLLABORA LOGO & WEBSITE
This year, six essential non-profit organizations in Grant County are coming together to collaborate! We’ve been working with this group with Design Thinking sessions, strategic planning, and design services to develop a unique look and feel that resonates with their commitment to innovation, connection, and flourishing.
What does innovation look like? As we craft ideas and shape them together, it takes combining and creativity. The logo with its looped and flowing double “L”s showcases the connectedness and fluidity of collaboration and shared spaces. Reminiscent of Ancient Greece and the agora or gathering spaces, the “O” is made up of dots like the columns surrounding these agoras. Additionally, the dots are representative of individuals coming to the table and producing in the center a new, fresh, and collective vision—strong, unified, and lasting for generations.
In August and September, we worked with Collabora and its members to release their new identity, a new website, and a series of announcement billboards! This new design work will get a lot of mileage in the near future as Collabora continues to establish itself in Grant County.
UNITED WAY DAY OF ACTION
The Marion Design Co. team was thrilled to participate in United Way’s 2nd Day of Action. This special day was all about bringing community together to make meaningful impact through various service projects, all benefiting the Grant County community.
This day of service also doubled as the official launch of “Tidy Tuesday” in which business and property owners on the square in Marion are encouraged to come together on every Tuesday at 10am for 10 minutes to clean up the store fronts of our buildings and our neighbors.
MARION ARTS COMMISSION GALA
The support of this community for the arts was evident as a result of the MAC Gala! Since the event more than $25,000 has been raised to help fund artists building businesses in Grant County and events such as the MAC Gala to promote the arts. This exceeded the Marion Arts Commission fundraising goal for the event! The Marion Design Co. team, a number of key volunteers from the MAC board, IWU students helped us all to bring a bespoke vision for this event to life. We used placemaking principles, unreasonable hospitality, and custom printed materials to give the event a refined and elegant polish. There are several works still available from the Gala Auction up until November on display at the Kennedy Art Center. Stop by and buy one for your home, business, or as a gift knowing that your donation is going toward a successful art practice.
THANKS FOR READING!
NEWSLETTER 40
CELEBRATING 40 NEWSLETTERS
What does life look like 40 Newsletters later? When we launched our monthly newsletter, we had celebrated five years as an organization. Our dynamic team of interns from IWU helped us host IAC’s On-Ramp Workshop, create a new Marion Health brand identity, host Marion-Made Mini, and design many other initiatives and projects with the city of Marion and other significant partnerships.
Since 2021, we officially became a business and remain true to the mission we originated with. We’ve continued to use design to empower communities, businesses, organizations, and individuals to do what they do through the power of good design. We’ve created brand identities, design thinking sessions, illustrations, graphic and marketing materials, gallery exhibits, interiors and placemaking, websites and photography for 168 projects.
Our relationships have deepened with repeat clients and broadened with newly introduced clients. We’re grateful our journey has brought us to a new, permanent location at the Kennedy Art Center. We’re excited for the future and plan to continue serving our community and beyond! If we haven’t worked with you on a project yet, we hope to in the near future!
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: ECCLÉ
Ecclé empowers churches and artists by facilitating personalized training, mentoring, and resource exchange. To support its mission, a new identity design was developed to establish a strong foundation for the organization, ensuring its visual system conveyed legitimacy, trust, and the essence of its work.
The design concept drew inspiration from estuary ecosystems, known for their biodiversity and rich cultural significance. This metaphorical approach reflects ECCLÉ’s goal of fostering growth and connection within a relational framework, contrasting with transactional models. The identity employs non-Eurocentric design influences, integrating elements from diverse artistic traditions to create a visual language that resonates with ECCLÉ’s global and inclusive vision.
The logo features an organic shape reminiscent of estuary waterways, with negative space forming the letter "e" for ECCLÉ. The letterform’s customized serif typeface combines traditional gravitas with a modern sensibility, echoing the illuminated manuscripts and early printed texts that bridge theology and creativity. The design incorporates block shapes and flowing lines, reflecting the interaction between water and land in estuarine environments.
This achieves a balance of tradition with modernity and supports multicultural use. Distinct design patterns represent ECCLÉ’s three core service lines: Training (Fluvial Zone), Connecting (Mixing Zone), and Mentoring (Marine Zone). Each zone features unique patterns and motifs—ranging from weedy shallows to fish mixing ideas, and deep waves navigating challenges—offering clarity and differentiation for each service line.
Overall, the identity design not only anchors ECCLÉ’s brand but also captures its mission of nurturing creative potential and fostering meaningful connections, while offering a consistent and memorable visual system for future growth.
BLOOM 2024
Grant County is home to a large number of strong female leaders! Each year we have the opportunity to celebrate and inspire these women during Bloom, an annual event hosted by the United Way of Grant County and Greater Grant County. Last year Marion Design Co. hosted Bloom SLŌ, a Korean dining experience. This year we led a workshop entitled Stress by Design: How Spaces Shape Burnout during a larger one-day conference at Matter Park. Shaded by a beautiful natural canopy and surrounded by manicured gardens, we talked about ways to create spaces at work and home to reduce stress that contributes to burnout. Addressing all the senses, we discussed design tactics with lighting, acoustics, space planning, and materials to ensure we’re working in healthy environments. We ended the session with three questions to consider when evaluating your work spaces…
Who do I become while here?
How will this place transform me?
How will I know how to act?
If we understand what’s contributing to how we feel in a space, then we can make decisions on to adjust what surrounds us to help strengthen our minds and hearts while we work. If you would like an hour evaluation and consultation of your space, feel free to email Wendy at wendy@mariondesign.co to schedule an appointment.
EDITH FARNSWORTH HOUSE
After a full week of work, the team was ready to get some fresh air and be inspired by this classic environment. Wendy, Willie, Tabby and Jacob took a day trip and enjoy learning from a knowledgeable docent. Good conversation and beautiful design!
Exactly what we needed! Nestled along the Fox River an hour southwest of Chicago in Plano, IL is a classic international style house designed by Mies Van De Rohe. Described as a structure of Platonic perfection, this minimal weekend retreat contrasts the organic landscape, bringing nature in.
PICNIC ON THE PATIO: MARION ON THE MOVE
Attention all downtown and small business leaders: Mayor Ronald Morrell Jr. will be attending our next Marion on the Move meeting on September 5th, 2024, 12:00PM to 1:30PM at the Kennedy Art Center in Downtown Marion.
Next weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to share their ideas on the positive change they would like to see happen in the city. If you do not have a meal, no worries! A free lunch will be provided by us. We hope to see you there!
Unlike our Marion on the Move events - which are exclusive to local business leaders - Picnic on the Patio is open to all residents of Marion. Everyone is invited to bring their own lunch and engage in conversation with the community. GIve yourself the chance to meet some cool people in a cool space! To stay updated on when we are hosting Marion on the Move, follow us on Instagram at @mariondesignco. If you won’t be able to attend, but want to contribute, send us a message on our Instagram or shoot us an email at hello@mariondesign.co
MARION ARTS COMMISSION GALA
The upcoming MAC Gala celebrates not only a night for the arts, but an anniversary of Kennedy Art Center as well! May 5th of this year marks the 1-Year Anniversary of KAC. And although we’re a few months late, what better way to honor the Kennedy Art Center than an event meant to Make Art Visible? Kennedy Art Center was made with this very goal in mind, with the Marion Arts Commission playing a crucial role (KAC’s president, Chris Kennedy, was a founding member!) This gala hopes to fundraise for the cause of artists here in Grant County, so that Marion Arts Commission can continue to provide grants to those who want to make a difference. This evening of art and elegance has plenty more to offer, though, including stilt-walkers, silent and live art auctions, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and more! This event is open to the public, with both tickets and sponsorships available. Read more on the Marion Arts Commission website.
THANK YOU FOR READING!
Newsletter 039
We're excited to share the new brand identity we've created for GatherGive! This incredible organization is a resource hub dedicated to fostering a stronger, more connected community in Grant County. We wanted to capture their mission of bringing people together and building a brighter future through their brand.
Through a collaborative and iterative process of design thinking, we worked closely with GatherGive to develop a name and visual system for their organization that serves as a platform to share their story with the community. The interconnected hands in the logo symbolize the power of collaboration and the spirit of giving. We can't wait to see the positive impact GatherGive will have on the community!
Wendy will be taking the main stage at the 2024 UCDA Interchange Conference on Friday, September 27th at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. The Marion Design Co. story will be the introduction to the presentation, Presence Changes Perception. Designers, educators, and students will learn principles for leveraging their power to recognize assets inside impossible problems in order to design for good. Learn more and register at https://www.ucda.com/events/151/
We’re so excited to have Jacob join our team as a Graphic Designer! He studied at Indiana Wesleyan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in business administration. Jacob’s undergraduate coursework in design and business have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding artistic and strategic aspects our industry.
Coming from a retired military family, Jacob has been exposed to a variety of different cultures as he has been relocated to cities in Florida, Texas, Virginia, and Indiana. Despite spending the majority of his life as a resident of Porter County, Jacob has grown fond of the intentional communities found in Marion. Over the weekends, maintaining the connections in his life by calling his friends and family over the phone is a major priority. On his free time, Jacob loves to watch anime and play video games with his brothers – the nerdy things in life.
On July 18th, we had the pleasure of hosting our second Marion on the Move event during Picnic on the Patio with Los Amores.
Marion on the Move was created to be a space for small businesses and organizations to gather and discuss how to bring more traffic to Downtown Marion. During our first meeting, we shared our intentions, goals, and purpose for being in this small square over a light lunch. Our conclusion was that communication and transparency must be at the forefront, building trust and unification among each other to make Marion the best it can be. We all left very encouraged and ecstatic for our next meeting.
The second meeting was just as special as the first. To support our local businesses and attract more people to attend our event, Picnic on the Patio, we invited Los Amores to join us in sharing food and intentional conversations. We immediately kicked off by updating each other on recent news and began brainstorming ways to bring more traffic to the downtown area. After an engaging conversation, we decided that all of us would have a unified vision through a small, medium, and large idea.
Our vision starts with focusing on beautification. For our small idea, we concluded that attracting others to downtown should first start with taking care of these mundane, everyday tasks: picking up trash, pulling weeds outside our businesses, making sure the front of our store is arranged aesthetically, etc. Though it seems small, it creates a difference, the kind of difference we want to create.
Our medium idea is focused on Design Standards for our buildings and downtown area. This would bring in accountability for our empty storefronts and the ability to create a unified downtown. Lastly, our large idea is to host pop-up stores/events in our vacant buildings to promote our spaces and bring more people in.
From our observations and conversations, our downtown is well loved and adored by our business owners and organizations. We hope that as we continue to have these conversations, that we will be able to create movement and slowly make our downtown a hot spot for people to come by and visit.
If you’re interested in attending our Marion on the Move meetings, our next one will be on August 1, 2024, 12PM to 1:30PM, at the Kennedy Art Center in Downtown Marion. Our next steps are to begin launching our small idea, Tidy Tuesdays, and continue our conversations on how we can better our community. To stay updated on when we are hosting Marion on the Move, follow us on Instagram at @mariondesignco. If you won’t be able to attend, but want to contribute, send us a message on our Instagram or shoot us an email at hello@mariondesign.co.
We hope to see you there!
Kennedy Art Center recently connected with the Quilter’s Hall of Fame - during which they expressed an interest in a joint quilt exhibit at our gallery for their annual celebration. We jumped at the idea, and just a few months later, Celebrate SAQA Indiana has come to fruition!
This show, spurred on by Quilter’s Hall of Fame and in collaboration with SAQA, Studio Art Quilt Associates, displays the intersection of quilting as both a historic craft and a fine art. The quilts range from abstract to pictorial, and implement a variety of techniques such as hand dyeing fabric, appliqué, photo printing, and more. Quilting as a studio art is a completely unique, immersive, and innovative experience, and we hope you come out to see it before the show packs up September 13th!
Looking ahead, KAC will be hosting the 1st Annual MAC Gala: A Night of Art and Elegance this September, Friday the 20th. This event aims to elevate the arts in Marion and make future celebration of the arts possible within our community. This event will feature a silent auction for art, live music, hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. We encourage those interested to look into sponsoring the event or purchasing a ticket to attend. Tickets run at $50 and will be up for purchase soon.
Rent out our kitchen for your summer events! With the cool air inside while the garage door keeps the outdoors accessible, it’s an ideal place to have your family event or office gathering!
The current show, Celebrate SAQA Indiana, will only be on exhibit until September 13th! Art sales are available until the exhibit closes.
For more information, contact us at hello@mariondesign.co
https://www.mariondesign.co/
Newsletter 038
How might a trade school model be applied to training kids with interpersonal and practical skills through a faith-based home environment? This out-of-the-box thinking inspired us to pull out all the stops as we journeyed along with the OptIN leadership team to reframe opportunities for parents to integrate faith through the tool of design.
We recently wrapped up prototypes and testing of the final designs for the OptIN Box that was developed through an empathy-based model. We began our research with a two-day online design thinking session. Micaiah (OptIN Thought Leader) and Brian (OptIN Director) Tanck gathered a group of stakeholders whose experience would contribute to a better understanding of the needs of the audience they’re trying to serve. We led them through the design process, pushing the boundaries of creativity through a custom design thinking session.
Following extensive research, we designed OptIN’s brand identity to ensure their story remained authentic to the project goals yet fluid enough to respond to their innovative team ideas. We found ourselves full of delight as we created the logo and brand identity, envisioning the experience of individuals and families interacting with this project
Inspired by Micaiah and Brian’s imaginations, we created interactive, playful, abstract characters as a key part of the brand package, empowering them to imagine the materials to be brought to life through these lively personalities.
After the Tanck’s had developed the content for the OptIN Boxes, they traveled to Marion from Alabama and we hosted them for two days at our studio in the Kennedy Art Center. During our meetings together, we developed a strong plan for ensuring the content would be designed with the function and aesthetic that would ensure the learning would be meaningful and strengthen family experiences.
With the brand tools in hand, we moved full steam ahead toward designing each of the fourteen activities they had written content for. Proof drafts were created for each activity and sent to the OptIN team for feedback. Multiple iterations were evaluated to ensure every detail was considered. The materials were packaged in custom boxes that fit inside a larger box (much like a bento box) and ranged from emoji sticks to custom “bandaids” to decoder stories, story cards, spinners, and more. When the team was ready, prototypes were created to test. We worked with print and production studios to ensure the best quality for a fair price was available, reinforcing the experience the clients hoped for the users.
This month two of our team members, Emily and Peter Troutner, traveled to Alabama to participate in a retreat hosted by OptIN. During the retreat, twenty-five participants from varying backgrounds interacted with the OptIN Story Investigators Kids Box of activities and offered feedback through testing to ensure the goals were met. The products were a big hit! Over time, the boxes will be sent out to families so they can begin benefitting from the materials, enhancing their family values through a deeper understanding of scripture.
The Family Matters online Design Thinking Session, designed and led by MDC, hosted participants scattered from coast to coast representing an organization based in New Jersey. As with every design thinking session, we created a custom experience with new methods that helped the team dive into understanding today’s busy family life. One of the activities we called the Intersection and Emotional Journey Map. This empathy-driven examination required the participants to examine family life from an empathetic point of view. It examined what moments throughout the day family members might intersect together at the same time and place. It also examined how the members might feel throughout the day. Both of these data points helped us understand what might be ideal times or momentary captures of time to infuse meaningful intention that supports family values.
It is insights gained from guided examinations like these that open up opportunities to create innovative solutions to seemingly impossible, everyday problems. We’re excited about more opportunities to help businesses, families, and organizations explore how their relationships can be strengthened through long-lasting, foundational principles using design thinking.
We’re making room for new products! To keep our store small but curate the best products for you, we’re clearing out some great items! Check out our website or come to the store to see what’s on sale. Once they’re gone, they won’t be available again. If you’ve been saving up for a Fellow Kettle, Interior design decor, or colorful game, this is your opportunity to purchase it in the store or order it online for pick up! (Kettles and smaller items may be shipped).
Products are coming in from Germany, Paris, and across the U.S. Our MOMA products are expanding and the coming months will bring in new Marion Design Co. and Kennedy Art Center merch. Keep checking back each week to see what’s new!
During July and August 2024, we’ll offer two-hour Mini Masterclasses on Saturdays from 12:30-2:30 covering creative topics ranging from studio arts, technical design, and culinary craft. Courses will be taught by professional designers or partners who practice in the profession of their instruction.
Sign up for a MiniMasterclass subscription and save!
Registration will be available beginning June 28th.
Individual class rate: $40
Purchase multi-class subscriptions by July 9th to receive the discount!
2 classes @ 10% discount = $36 per class
4 classes @ 15% discount = $34 per class
6 classes @ $48 per class = $32 per class
Details are coming soon! Check back @ https://www.mariondesign.co/events
This summer we welcome our newest Graphic Design Intern. Tabby Lo is a Senior Graphic Design major at Anderson University in South Carolina. Trained by two of Marion Design Co. founders (Luke Anspach and Herb Peterson) who recently began teaching design at Anderson, she’s already brought a unique level of passion and her human-centered design mindset to our studio.
As a first-generation Hmong American and the first of six siblings to attend a four year college, she holds a deep appreciation for her culture. With a love for bridging gaps, bringing people together, and building communities, she believes that the world changes because of people, and design is meaningful only when created with people in mind.
Rent out our kitchen for your summer events! With the cool air inside while the garage door keeps the outdoors accessible, it’s an ideal place to have your family event or office gathering!
The current show, Space Between, will only be on exhibit until July 12th! Art sales are available until the exhibit closes.
We have two exciting new exhibits coming in July and September. Save the dates for gallery openings on July 20th and September 20th.
More info to come!
For more information, contact us at hello@mariondesign.co
https://www.mariondesign.co/
Newsletter 037
We're excited to announce a collaborative project with the EMA (Ecological Momentary Assessment) Research team! We've been working on developing layout concepts to refresh their website making it easier for researchers and clients to access the wealth of knowledge EMA offers.
The new design concept prioritizes user experience, ensuring smooth navigation and quick access to EMA's insightful research articles and practical workshop tools. They also received a logo refresh to transform their logo into one that is more web-friendly. This revamped website will be a valuable resource for those studying human experiences in daily life, ultimately promoting well-being for all.
This Father's Day, show your appreciation with gifts that celebrate and empower the amazing father and grandfather in your life. Our curated selection of productivity-boosting products is designed to make work more efficient and balance more attainable. Here are some top picks:
Baggu Medium or Large Nylon Cresent Bag: Both can be carried on your shoulder or crossbody. The medium size carries all of the essentials for client meetings including space for your tablet. The large size carries a laptop and more without straining your back.
Baron Fig Journals: The Huddle and Clear Habit Journals provide a guided framework for work balance efficiency.
Desktop Cubes Calendar: This analog modern calendar is a sharp sculpture for his desk or bookshelf.
FREDERICKS AND MAE Games: Play is strategic work. Reinforce play with the gift of a game!
Original Art: He likely needs pictures in his office. Select from the twenty-three works of art on exhibit now at the Kennedy Art Center or additional artwork at the Marion Design Co. Store.
Join us for a night of pairs! Two sisters, Alyssa and Amaya Thompson, launch their first book to the sound of two Jazz musicians, Robert Barnett and Darrell Briscoe. Everything begins at the Kennedy Art Center, Saturday, May 25th at 7 pm with the girls sharing a few words at 7:30. The night will include mocktails and light refreshments, a giveaway, and a 10% discount on all MDC store products!
We’re thrilled that Willie has joined the team as a Senior Graphic Designer. He brings years of experience working with clients conducting all things human-centered design related! He studied Alternative Process Photography and Design at Indiana Wesleyan and has his coaching certification through Lark’s Song.
He’s worked in creative teams at non-profits and creative agencies. His work has been focused on storytelling and the visual arts, creative direction, brand solutions, design systems, and video production.
His entrepreneurial spirit has led to a passion for helping businesses use storytelling to connect with their audiences. For many projects, his role is that of a translator, helping individuals and systems to communicate and be perceived in ways that may not otherwise feel native to them.
He loves spending time with his wife and kids on their small homestead, playing with his band, reading philosophy and fiction, plotting the arcs of movie storylines, and film photography.
Janelle, a Taylor undergrad student, is wrapping up her Spring 2024 Business Internship with MDC. She played a critical role in strengthening and streamlining our store’s product inventory, pricing, and bookkeeping. When asked about her time at Marion Design Co. she shared a few reflective throughts:
“One of the most notable aspects of my internship at Marion Design Co. has been the sense of inclusivity within the workplace culture. It's a quality that truly sets the company apart. At the beginning of my internship, I was impressed by the level of creativity expressed by my colleagues. What stood out to me was the first time Wendy asked for my input on ideas I consider to be creative matters during a meeting. When given my role as a business intern, I presumed my contributions might not carry significant weight in this area. However, I quickly realized that every voice is highly valued at MDC, irrespective of position.
Throughout my internship, I aimed to contribute significantly to enhancing organizational procedures across various business domains. One of my main goals was to make spreadsheets easily accessible for anyone to be able to pick up and understand the financial and product-oriented trends of the business. I made an effort to become a part of the Marion community by contributing to community-focused events, I aimed not only to connect with individuals but also to serve their needs. Moreover, I prioritized maintaining MDC's community-centric approach, ensuring that my ideas reflected the company's values. MDC offers a people-centered approach to business, providing an opportunity to consider others in the handling of business affairs. An internship that opens someone's mind to look outwardly instead of inwardly is rare. I am blessed to have the experience of this perspective, especially as I pursue a job after graduation.”
We’re grateful for Janelle’s contributions to our studio and clients. We look forward to welcoming her back as an intern in the fall!
The dining room was filled with anticipation as the guests experienced wafts of Italian seasoning creating an inviting atmosphere at the Kennedy Art Center. Michael Barmes curated an Italian experience with a menu to tantalize our tastebuds. The Marion Design Co. team, draped in black aprons served the guests a three-course meal with wine pairings selected by the chef.
SLŌ Supper was inspired by our continuing effort to empower the talents we’re discovering throughout our community.
Grant County has so many gifted chefs who serve at local restaurants, cater, or are talented home cooks! These supper experiences allow the chef to feature dishes they may not typically serve at their restaurant or cater to their clients. If you know of someone who would enjoy cooking for SLŌ, please contact us at hello@mariondesign.co.
Wendy Puffer, Chief Executive Officer
Keith and I just returned from a vacation in Korea. It’s been 11 years since we visited my homeland, so we were very excited to go! While we had practiced some Korean language in preparation, we found Google Translate to be our friend regarding reading menus and the occasional sign. However, even with the convenience of the Korean language being magically transformed into interpretive English, we still found ourselves in the middle of subway stations staring at Google Maps in confusion.
On many occasions during our 10-day trip, a kind-hearted person would approach us speaking in Korean with hand motions and expressions that somehow provided just enough information to get us to the next place. On two occasions strangers would go out of their way to lead us to the train and jump on with us (even if it wasn’t leading them to their destination) to ensure we were headed toward our destination.
We visited many places of interest that inspired us to live beyond our own understanding, but the framework of kindness that blanketed our experiences is a memory that will continue to be told even when the details disappear over time. Kindness isn’t a sacrifice of time, it’s a sacrifice of self that replenishes the soul. It’s an attribute that isn’t true to itself if not it’s not given away. If you’ve forgotten what kindness looks like, take a trip! I recommend South Korea. You’ll be reminded of how natural it is to give kindness away!
Newsletter 036
So many ideas need good design! When a client invites us into a place of curiosity, we are compelled to ensure we have a clear understanding of what's true about the problem they’re tackling and the people they’re serving.
We not only bring in a new visual lens, but we engage in the pursuit of problem-solving that digs deep into human behavior discovered only through an empathy-driven design process.
From logos for a small business to ongoing brand identity partnerships with organizations and corporations, we ensure the essence of your mission is elevated. The breadth of our work is seen in buildings and in lived experiences, through design thinking sessions and strategic planning.
This recent window graphics installation was created through a partnership with Halstead Architects and IHC. The grand opening for their renovated facility is May 22nd.
Join us for a casual evening at the Kennedy Art Center on April 19th | 7 - 9 pm. This exhibit sponsored by the Marion Arts Commission, Indiana Arts Commission, and The Community Foundation of Randolph County invites viewers to explore the interstitial spaces that often go unnoticed in our daily lives. It challenges conventional notions of space and invites contemplation on the significance of what lies between.
Twenty-three artists from diverse backgrounds were invited to interpret the theme, Space Between, in their unique way, using various mediums such as sculpture, installation, painting, photography, and multimedia. The work ranges from depictions of literal spaces we can see and touch to representations of symbolic divides such as the chasm that separates dreams from reality. This exhibition also prompts reflection on the in-between liminal spaces we experience in life, from one stage to the next.
As you wander through the first-floor and lower-level galleries, we invite curious questions into the gallery space through conversations and self-reflection. Ponder the diverse interpretations of the theme by the works of art created by local and national artists and explore the space between your lived experience and the message you understand through their artistic expression.
Keep reading! The artist who created the cover art is featured next!
Emily Dexter, Copywriting Intern 2023
After working as a copywriting intern for Marion Design Co., my biggest takeaway can be summed up in one of the MDC team's favorite phrases: you are the answer. To me, this short sentence is a powerful reminder of the creative potential of each and every person. It is a reminder of our agency in the world, of the privilege we have to influence our communities' futures for the better.
Since interning with Marion Design Co., I have taken a full-time role as the content marketing coordinator at Good Party, a national organization building free tools and community for people across the United States who want to make a difference by running for office outside of the two-party system. This role reminds me of the ripple effect that can happen when local leaders become empowered and change begins happening, one community at a time.
My artwork in the upcoming exhibit, titled "Girl to Woman," marks a full circle moment. This work is a meditation on coming of age — a subject I've been thinking about more and more, as I come up on the first anniversary of my graduation from IWU. To me, the art making process is closely aligned with the process of deep thinking. The same holds true for writing. Whether I find myself making visual or written art, my mind goes into a similar flow state, using the medium in front of me to puzzle through a particular question or experience.
You’re invited to spend a special evening at the Kennedy Art Center experiencing a curated Italian dinner with friends made just for SLŌ Supper by Michael Barmes, popular chef of the Tomahawk in Marion! Michael’s been in the restaurant industry for 7 years. He’s worked as a professional chef for 5 of those 7 years. He’s constantly working on his craft trying new cuisines out from different cultures. His lifelong goal is to make everything completely from scratch at least once. He’s very excited to cook an Italian dinner experience for you all at the Kennedy Arts Center! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Reservations close by midnight, Friday, April 19th, so be sure and make your reservation today! Seating is very limited!
Make it stand out
Host your special event at the Kennedy Art Center! Whether it’s a graduation open house, wedding reception, or bridal shower, we’ll swing open the kitchen garage door as a welcome mat for your guests. When you rent out the kitchen and dining space or the whole gallery for your event, you’ll have access to our dinnerware, equipment, appliances, small appliances (Bunn coffeemaker, Vitamix, Cuisinart food processor, TK-1 Cappucino maker, etc.) and more! The lower-level gallery will be open later this month so you have even more space to host larger events! Go to kennedyartcenter.co to request a tour or book your next event!
Sunglasses, jewelry, tote bags, and more! We’re closing out our blue blocker and sunglasses line so if you’ve had your eye on a pair in the store, stop by our studio or purchcase them online! We’re adding new lines and restocking favorites, so check back often!
Angie Thompson, Chief Financial Officer
Can you feel it? Spring is in the air! The days are getting longer, the sun is a little warmer, and everything just seems to come alive again. As a designer, I find this time of year rejuvenating and inspiring. There's something about the vibrant colors, the gentle breeze, and the sound of birds chirping that just sparks inspiration. It's like nature's hitting the reset button on my creativity, reminding me of the beauty and possibility that surrounds us.
The power of connection can be transformative in our lives. As we grow into adulthood and beyond, the more we connect with our community and those that we do life with, the more trusting and interdependent we become. Even from birth we were meant to depend on those around us. Babies cry to let those around them know that they need them. As we grow and go through life, young adults and adults alike react naturally when we need people. We cry when we miss someone in our lives, we are angry when someone hurts us or those around us, we are excited when we see someone special. Our bodies naturally produce these emotions.
So, as we trust, grow comfortable, and learn to depend on one another, our potential to thrive, create, and then help others around us only increases. It’s a truly powerful thing when we meet new people, discover the attributes of those around us, and impact our communities through interdependence with each other.
Newsletter 035
As the weather warms up in the midwest, there’s a fresh energy emerging! The sun is shining and the activity on the sidewalks and public places is teaming with people gathering. As the number of people increases, the speed of urgency is drawn back by a pull toward slowing down to literally stop and smell the roses. This newsletter is filled with ways to ease your load while increasing efficiency!
Spend less time on the computer and more time with people! Are you wrestling with how to create a social media presence that’s fresh and noticeable? We can help! We create social media templates that represent your brand through a deeper understanding of what your followers want to see. Whether it be through weekly Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIN posts, we can create templates and posts that strengthen your brand’s presence! Email us at hello@mariondesign.co to get started!
Beginning March 21st, our kitchen door will be open to our community for a casual lunchtime together every first and third Thursday of the month 12:00-1:30. Bring your sack lunch or grab a sandwich at one of our local cafes and join us for a break from work! If it’s a work lunch, consider meeting here at the Kennedy Art Center kitchen. Either way, you’re welcome!
Don’t want to go back to your office after lunch? Stay and work with us! Kennedy Art Center is a co-working space! The environment connects you to the outside while enjoying the comfort of the indoors. Whether it’s sitting in the gallery surrounded by the color of the current exhibit and large views of the outdoors through picture windows or in our dining kitchen with the garage door wide open to let the fresh air in, you’re sure to be productive while building community. For just $5.00 stay as long as you want (while we’re open 😀) and enjoy a cold drink or hot coffee. Cheaper than Starbucks and much quieter!
As the weather warms up and we permit ourselves more time for leisure, reading is one of the best activities for relaxing while sharpening our minds. It’s one of the best ways to increase our imagination! Reading improves sleep, exercises our brain, reduces stress, teaches empathy, expands our lifespan, and more. Here’s what our team is reading! Let us know what books you recommend!
The Kennedy Art Center is now accepting applications for our upcoming exhibition “Space Between.” This show seeks to highlight artwork that investigates the gap between one thing and another, whether that be objects, concepts, or mindsets. This could include the literal, physical space between two things, such as an alleyway: the space between two buildings. It could also refer to the gap between two social classes, or the transitionary period between two phases of life - even playing with scale or comparison: perhaps the space between a grassroots organization and its community vs. an individual in that community. Interpretation of the show’s theme can be varied, and creativity in exploring it is welcomed. Click on the link to learn more and submit an application before March 19th. The deadline is March 19th!
Our final suggestion for launching a new perspective is to celebrate the past. We’re doing that by looking back at each iteration of the Marion Made Fashion Show.
2024 was no exceptions as each event had its own unique flare sparked by the people who share their creative talents.
Bringing back the workshop and topping it off with a gallery exhibit, 2024’s Marion Made was the most ambitious series of events yet! Click on the links below to catch a video glimpse of the 2018, 2019, and our most recent 2024 show!
Emily Troutner, Chief Design Officer
Can you feel it? Spring is in the air! The days are getting longer, the sun is a little warmer, and everything just seems to come alive again. As a designer, I find this time of year rejuvenating and inspiring. There's something about the vibrant colors, the gentle breeze, and the sound of birds chirping that just sparks inspiration. It's like nature's hitting the reset button on my creativity, reminding me of the beauty and possibility that surrounds us.
So, here's my challenge to you: ditch your desk for a bit and take a walk outside. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. Let the fresh air clear your head and open you up to new ideas. You might be surprised by what you find – a cool pattern on a leaf, a conversation with a neighbor you haven't seen in a while, or simply a renewed sense of calm that fuels your creativity. After all, sometimes the best way to get inspired is to simply be present in the moment and connect with the world around you. Grab a friend, a sketchbook, or even just your phone to capture some inspiration. You never know what creative spark you might ignite, and who knows, you might even spark a collaboration or two along the way! So get out there and let spring do its magic!
Newsletter 034
There’s freedom in “anything” as long as the foundation from which you’re driven isn’t suppressing the freedom in someone else. It’s a dance that requires others to join you on the dance floor! Many won’t join unless they’re invited.
As you read this month's newsletter, you may be asking yourself, “What’s a design company doing hosting a Fashion Show and Cooking Classes while also creating book covers, logos, and design thinking sessions? Let’s just say, we consider the design space our dance floor. With the crowd swaying to the sounds of celebration, we carry the rhythm of unreasonable hospitality with a certain responsibility to elevate our community’s assets. Design allows us to do that.
Creativity meets consciousness in this 3rd Annual collaborative fashion exhibit of Marion's residents' ingenuity. Originally inspired by the Marion Cinema House showcasing the “True Cost” documentary hosted by Marion Design Co, Marion Made was launched in 2018 to inform and inspire our community to consider the harmful impact placed on our environment and people by the fast fashion industry. Followed by another show in 2019 and a pause through COVID, this re-emergence of Marion Made through a partnership with the Marion Arts Commission is concluded with this exhibit of a three-chapter story.
Marion Made Fashion Workshop: On January 20th, the Kennedy Art Center hosted a workshop packed with hopeful participants from Indianapolis to Marion, ready to take on the challenge of creating an outfit that met the objective of designing from resourced clothing and other materials supplied by Renewed Boutique and local residents. After brief instruction, each individual or team selected their materials and set out to create an outfit. With sewing machines, hot glue, and a lot of ingenuity, eighteen outfits emerged as runway-ready.
Marion Made Fashion Runway Show: On February 3rd, the Kennedy Art Center was transformed into a high-end fashion show with a thirty-two-foot long runway, red light washing the walls, rows, and rows of chairs, and a lively stage backdrop. With a packed house of standing-room-only onlookers, the models emerged one by one taking the stage, donning their reinvented outfits. After the show, the panel of judges and the audience voted for the outfits that best emulated the five categories of the competition: Sustainability, Craftsmanship, Je Ne Sais Quoi, AccessAbility, and People’s Choice awards.
Marion Made Fashion Gallery Exhibit: Showcasing a remarkable fusion of fashion and environmental awareness, each garment displayed embodies the spirit of reinvention, crafted with care from re-purposed materials sourced locally. Every piece of clothing carries a story, not just of style, but of a global supply chain that often neglects ethical and sustainable practices. Even the mannequins that display the outfits are made of resourced materials. Art + Design students at Indiana Wesleyan University were charged with the challenge to create “flat-packed” mannequins from cardboard that represented the outfit they selected. Not only do the outfits display local creativity, but the mannequins mirror the innovative spirit as well.
This series of events celebrates the power of design in people. Fashion, in this case, was the medium selected to bring people together to recognize our own assets. No matter what age, economy, culture, or political preference, celebrating the efforts of individuals to create beauty unifies our focus. We’re grateful for all of our partners who made this series a huge success!
It’s not too late to sign up for our first SLŌ Supper! We are featuring our neighbor, Jeff Richardson, owner of the popular Obi’s Barbecue in downtown Marion. SLŌ Supper brings an elevated one-night dining experience with a menu never before shared with the public crafted by a local chef. This three-course meal with wine pairings is sure to be delicious in an environment that brings celebration to your midweek!
The market is flooded with books on every topic but rarely is there a text that checks off the boxes of story telling and personal insight from insightful young writers who happen to be sisters! We recently completed a book design for a newly launched text entitled: We Don’t Know Either: Embracing the “I Don’t Knows” with Full Reliance on Jesus. Published by Streamline Books, Alyssa and Amaya Thompson’s honesty and humble approach to navigating worldly advice against Godly wisdom. Yes, you can buy it on Amazon. We’ll soon have it for sale in the store. So support local and come into the store or buy it online on our website. We’ll notify you when it’s available in Marion.
Our first cooking class was a hit, celebrating the care for our community and intentional focus on healthy and delicious food! Jennifer Noseworthy taught us how to make a one-pot meal using sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, and bowtie pasta without the wait for the water to boil!
Our second class features sourdough bread! Reka Brookes will be teaching best practices for making this delicious favorite!
Join us on Wednesday, March 13th at 7:00 pm at the Kennedy Art Center Kitchen. The cost is $15. Bring a large mixing bowl and a dishtowel to cover your bread.
Reservations for the gallery, conference room, and kitchen spaces are available for parties, meetings, and events at the Kennedy Art Center. Make your reservation for 2024-25!
Brittany Long, Chief Operations Officer
When I was a teacher, celebrating holidays was the most joyful experience. It didn’t matter if they were in 4th grade or middle school, kids love a good reason to eat sugary treats and play games. I remember one year as a teacher, we ended class two hours early so we could set up the classroom and celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The students had previously decorated brown paper lunch bags in red and pink paper with their names on them. With those out, students went around delivering their valentines to each other. Every single person received a valentine. And then we played games and ate cupcakes and then I sent them home jittery on sugar to their parents. I know some state that Valentine’s Day isn’t a real holiday. Others love to celebrate with gifts or flowers. Whatever camp you find yourself in, this “love” week brings pause to the question - how do you show love to your loved ones? Do you like to buy gifts or cards to show you care? Do you prefer spending quality time getting coffee or dinner with them? Are you more of an activities person who likes to go out and do things with their person?
My other question for you is - how do you receive love? Is it the same way you show love to others or is it different? For me, I really enjoy quality time both as a gift and to give. I challenge you this month to reflect on how you loved the people in your life. As Vincent Van Gogh once said, “The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.”
Newsletter 033
Were you at the launch of Marion Made in 2018? It was a hot August evening but the heat didn’t melt the excitement and energy of the standing-room-only crowd in the south alley of the downtown square. They poured out onto the sidewalk to hear Tim George MC, Luke Anspach perform original music, and Kristin Salate of Trace Fashion speak and, of course, catch a glimpse of the 20 outfits strutt down the runway modeled by local kids, teens, and adults.
This significant event, an idea sparked by one of our former interns, Yeabi Tabb (currently a grad student at Parson’s New School New York) was in response to a Marion Cinema House (Marion Design Co’s summer movie house) showing of The True Cost, a riveting 2015 documentary highlighting the poor labor practices of the fashion industry. We were passionate about informing our community of the impact this practice has on a local level.
Leading up to the fashion show, we hosted a one-day workshop with teens, college students, and the Quilters Hall of Fame. Within a three-hour period, teams created outfits for the fashion show made from sustainably sourced garments from local resale stores. The designers tore the clothes apart and remade them into beautiful creations ranging from fashionable ensembles to outrageous costumes (think dragons!).
The show was recreated in 2020 in the space where the Five Points Axe Throwing is currently located. This space, previously only accessible through the Boston Hill Center was vacant with only framing and tattered drywall on the walls. Our design team transformed the space into a high-end fashion show venue with colored lights, motion graphics, and a raised runway. Jer Nelsen (former IWU photography professor) and his team and IWU facilities gave their time and expertise along with donated light equipment, stage risers, and chairs to make it possible to create the atmosphere we imagined! After a lot of cleaning and quick construction for makeshift dressing rooms and more, the venue was transformed. The show was followed by a celebratory AfterParty with a DJ and dancing while eating gorgeous slices of pies made by Paul Allison. Check out the video of the show on our website!
Through the support of the Marion Arts Commission and the Indiana Arts Commission, we’re bringing the original workshop, fashion show, and AfterParty back to downtown Marion! The outfits will be on display for the Marion Made Fashion Exhibit at the Kennedy Art Center from February through April of 2024.
Here’s the schedule of events. Details will be released on the Marion Arts Commission, Kennedy Art Center, and Marion Design Co. Instagram and Facebook pages as they’re available.
Fashion Maker Workshop: Saturday, January 20, 2024
(Deadline to RSVP for the Workshop by midnight: January 16, 2024)
Open studio: Jan 24 and 27 for Fashion Makers
Marion Made Fashion Show: Saturday, February 3, 2024. Seating is limited! Tickets will be released on January 3, 2024
Gallery Opening of the Marion Made Exhibit at the Kennedy Art Center: Saturday, February 10
The outfits will be on display through April 2024
We hope you’ll attend and get involved! Here’s how! Donate a year-end gift to the Marion Arts Commission to help offset costs for the workshop, fashion show, and afterparty!
The 3 TIER options are:
Tier 1 $50 VIP reserved seating for two people
Tier 2 $100 VIP covers expenses for one model. We have 25 models slated to walk the runway! You’ll receive VIP reserved seating for two people at this tier plus your name and logo will be posted at the door and on the stage at the event.
Tier 3 $300 Toward prizes, catering, music and DJ staff, lights, and stage design. You’ll receive VIP reserved seating for up to 4 people and your logo and name will be posted on all promotional material.
Click the button below and you’ll be directed to the Marion Arts Commission website. Click the Donate button which will take you to the Community Foundation MAC Donation page. Select the ONE-TIME donation option. Write Tier 1, 2, or 3 and any other helpful information in the Special Instructions box.
We’re grateful for longstanding partners who have entrusted their stories to us through multiple projects! Dr. Amanda Drury, Professor of Practical Theology at Indiana Wesleyan University is one such person.
We just recently created the brand identity for one of her most recent projects funded by the Lilly Foundation called Strengthening Ministry with Children Coordination Program. From building blocks as table decorations to signage, Dr. Drury and her team utilized the brand to strengthen the story and cast vision at a recent conference for 55 churches from all over the United States at The Alexander in Indianapolis.
From designing the Imaginarium brand to applying placemaking principles for a trauma-informed space at the Brain Kitchen and speaking with audiences about designs’ impact at conferences (click here to view the recording of a talk we gave at Princeton University, May 2022), she’s entrusted us with multiple projects.
Reservations for the gallery, conference room, and kitchen spaces are available for parties, meetings, and events at the Kennedy Art Center. Make your reservation for 2024 here!
Peter Troutner, Chief Creative Officer
Sometimes the fashion world and industry seem so far away - unattainable, unreachable, and unrealistic - but even here in our small midwestern city I’ve seen fashion take root, grow, and inspire people. Since the very beginning of the MarionMade fashion show, I’ve seen creativity blossom and flourish in the hands of citizens, students, and professionals alike.
It’s shown me that in the hands of ordinary people - we can reuse clothes and things around us to highlight the creativity of our people and how that can illuminate and share joy with a wider audience. In the second year of the fashion show I participated as a model and that is still one of my top Marion memories watching people show up get excited and work together to create beauty.
MarionMade has made it so that fashion is no longer something attainable or far away - from my first year designing an outfit to strutting the runway in year two I’m ready to get back in the action and see what others have to offer in a world of endless possibilities. I want to see how you reinterpret the things around you and gather diverse perspectives into a collaborative fashion experience anyone can try their hand at.
Newsletter 032
Design creates a framework for all kinds of stories and experiences. In the case of the Strengthening Ministry with Children Coordination Program Conference, the brand we created took the form of conference signage, promotional materials, and even tablecloths! We have the privilege of working with a dynamic team that is leveraging the power of design thinking as a framework for innovation in the church. With a grant from the Lilly Foundation, Dr. Amanda Drury, (Indiana Wesleyan University) and her team are gathering leaders from churches around the country to develop new ways of supporting families in the church as they navigate the challenges they confront in today’s culture.
On Friday, October 20th, we hosted a gallery opening for an exhibit curated by Marion Design Co. and the Marion Arts Commission and made possible in part by the Indiana Arts Commission along with the Community Foundation of Randolph County through an Arts Project Grant. "How Do We Get Here" seeks to pull the first thread toward unraveling the intricate layers of history, culture, and design that have converged to create Marion's contemporary racial landscape. This exhibition recognizes that race is not an abstract concept but an integral part of our residents' everyday experiences.
At the heart of "How Do We Get Here" are the voices and stories of our residents. Through demographic surveying, personal interviews, and thoughtful questions of curiosity, we’ve created a context for individuals to share their experiences, struggles, and triumphs in the context of race. As an individual explores this exhibition, our hope is that "How Do We Get Here" not only informs their understanding but also prompts thoughtful reflection on the experiences and definitions of racism within our community. By acknowledging and learning from our past, we aim to collectively create a more inclusive, empathetic, and equitable future.
The four main sections of the exhibit are:
Marion’s Tapestry Dot Voting: As you explore the exhibition, you will find a designated area where you can place a dot sticker on categories that represent your race and ethnicity, as well as those of your family's origin. This simple yet impactful gesture will contribute to a collective visual representation of the rich tapestry of identities within our community.
Lived Experience: The photographs displayed in this portion of the exhibition serve as a powerful testament to the courageous residents of Marion, IN, who have generously shared their personal experiences and perspectives on the complex issues of race and equality. These individuals have participated in recorded interviews, where they were asked three fundamental questions that delve into the heart of the matter: What is Racism? Have you experienced racism? Are all races equal? The aim of this exhibition is not only to inform but also to prompt introspection and inspire change. It invites you to relate to the narratives shared by your fellow community members and to consider how their stories might compel you to take action in your own way. Each personal account is a call to empathy, a challenge to confront inequality, and an opportunity to contribute to positive change within Marion, IN, and beyond.
Do you see racism? This design display features historic and current artifacts which have faced criticism for their alleged racially charged design elements. The guest is invited to actively participate in this thought-provoking conversation by casting a vote by dropping an orange or purple marble in the glass jar next to each artifact with a vote indicating whether they think the object is offensive or not offensive. The objects include a Yellow Whistle, the Black Sambo children’s book, the Sleeping Mexican statue, a Redskins pendant, the Chiquita Bananas logo, Aunt Jemima syrup, and Saltine crackers.
Finally, each visitor has a chance or provide their response to three questions asking for their reactions to the show and how we move forward with hope. Over the course of November and December, we’ll continue to collect the community’s input.
We invite you to come see the show and interact with the exhibit. Your voice is critical to us understanding our community and how racism has impacted all of us. We invite you to come see the show and interact with the exhibit. Your voice is critical to us understanding our community and how racism has impacted all of us. We’re open T-F 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sat. 11:00-3:00.
“Unreasonable Hospitality” ( a term borrowed from the book title by Will Guidara) is a practice critical to every detail we plan when hosting guests in our studio at the Kennedy Art Center. BLOOM, a women’s conference hosted by United Way and Greater Grant County, asked us to host an event this year designed to celebrate the amazing women in our county. In the Korean culture, the dinner table is a central communal experience. It seemed only fitting that we bring that type of experience to our kitchen. After months of planning the menu with intentional interaction during the dining experience, we opened to doors to a full house of “open to try anything” individuals. Our team of volunteers and MDC leaders served our guests with professionalism and generosity. The energy and joy in the room was contagious! With the grill central to the dining experience, everyone enjoyed dining on Pork Buns, Bulgoki, nine types of Banchan (side dishes including Kimchi), Ramen and dumplings, Spring Rolls, Soju and Korean coffee, to drink, and Strawberry Mochi Mash with homemade sorbet for dessert. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us and the faithful volunteers who served with grace.
If you’re exploring options for hosting an event for the end of the year or to bring in the new year, consider hosting it at the Kennedy Art Center! Event rental details can be found at https://www.kennedyartcenter.co/event-rental. If you’re interested in hiring our team to create the experience by cooking for you, email us at hello@mariondesign.co. We custom-make every experience to fit what your hopes are for your guests.
What do Pella and Mason City, Iowa have in common with Marion, Indiana?
Both communities are working toward empowering their residents to celebrate its history and vibrant future. Last month we traveled for a three-day vision trip with other local leaders to learn about their growth and unique storytelling to tourists. We were inspired to celebrate what’s happening in our community and continue the momentum of collaboration. More plans are in the works!
We want to be home with family on Small Business Saturday, so we’re celebrating SBS all month! We’ll be featuring gift bags curated by our team with pairings from our collection of products designed to encourage and inspire through December 15th! Each package is a one-of-a-kind so once it’s gone, it won’t be offered again. A 15% discount is applied to the total package! These can be given as an entire set or divided to give as individual gifts. Buy one (or more) for yourself and several as Christmas gifts. Each week we’ll be launching new packages, so watch your email inbox for new package announcements. Come on in and check out the products and purchase instantly or we also hand deliver within a 30 mile radius for just $5! Shipping rates beyond local vary according to location.
Wendy Puffer, NCIDQ, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer
At age 63 I have my dream job! There isn’t a title for it. I’d call it more of a mindset brought to life. What does it look like? It’s a blanket of hospitality that covers creative contexts designed to bring joy. In one month, I’ve had the privilege of serving people with an amazing team to design dining experiences, spaces, brands, art exhibits, faith-based experiences, community activities, classroom experiences, grant writing ideation, material and finish plans, product buying experiences, strategic planning sessions, and design thinking sessions. When I’m designing for life, there’s no limit to the conversations and opportunities available.
As we approach Thanksgiving, my hope is that wherever you’re doing your work, you’re making it your dream job. Whether it’s changing diapers or leading a multi-million dollar company, the dream is in the “why” of the job. The “why” is always found in the “who.” Who are you serving? Are they receiving the joy from you that the job affords? If not, then wiggle and shift the job a bit. Adapt the parts that you can control. Figure out why you’re doing it and if it’s serving those who deserve your attention. Wiggle and shift so you’re able to settle into joy.
Newsletter 031
Marion Design Co. is a woman-owned, 80% women-staffed company. During this month of October, as we prepare to host a slō dinner for Bloom on October 26th, we celebrate the women leaders we have the privilege of working alongside. It’s fair to say that each of these women exhibits traits of wisdom and compassion in multiple ways, creating significant change in our community.
In a recent Harvard Business Review, it’s reported that Potential Project conducted a multi-year study of 5,000 companies across nearly 100 countries to learn how leaders do hard things while still remaining good human beings. The findings were summed up in two key traits: wisdom and compassion. Wisdom is defined as the courage to do what is needed to get things done. Compassion is defined as the care and empathy shown towards others. When combined, job satisfaction is 86% higher for employers who work for wise and compassionate leaders than those with a leader who does not embrace those characteristics.
The study also revealed that 55% of the women were ranked as wise and compassionate compared to just 27% of men. By a 2:1 margin, followers said that women leaders versus male leaders are able to do hard things in a human way. We can name several men who demonstrate both wisdom and compassion. This isn’t to diminish their character but to elevate the unique ability of women to merge these strengths exemplified through their leadership styles.
Marion has a significant number of businesses and organizations throughout our county that are led by women who demonstrate excellence through wisdom and compassion. In order to narrow the list for this newsletter, we’ll just mention those within a half-mile radius of Marion Design Co.
Tashema Davis at Echo Gallery | Linda Wilk at Hands of Hope | Tia Brewer at Hope House | Mary Eckerle at the Marion Public Library | Dawn Brown at Community Foundation of Grant County | Dawn Conwell at True Envy and Ashley’s Ice Cream | Stephanie Hilton-Siebert at Marion Health | Megan Gilmore at Larks Song | Kylie Jackson at Greater Grant County | Leanna Smith at the United Way | Lisa Dominissee at Radiant Health | Judy Bennet at Los Amores | Meagan Orr at Community School of the Arts | Michelle Doyle at Halstead Architects | Leigha Sprinkle and Kate Ott at Arrow Nutrition to name a few!
Let them know you notice the good work they’re doing. Write them a note, treat them to lunch, or simply say thank you. Your encouragement goes a long way! You might even consider treating them to join you at slō, a Bloom event!
Make it stand out
Design Thinking empowers creativity to soar! Our current schedule has been filled with half-day and full-day design thinking sessions, each one custom-created to meet the needs of businesses, organizations, and educational institutions' strategic and innovative planning.
We’ve found that “play” breaks down barriers that distract from mutual desires to achieve success beyond our wildest imaginations. If you’ve found your team or organization stuck in a rut, con and chances are, we can create a design thinking experience that will free your group to think outside the box!
Take an evening to slow down and join us on Thursday, October 26th from 6-8 pm for an unhurried dinner experience of sharing at the table. Dinner will be served at Marion Design Co. in a Korean-inspired style and the menu will feature Asian-American cuisine. Relax with new and familiar friends while savoring new and familiar flavors!
Tickets are $50 per person and include a multi-course meal experience. Only 30 seats are available so don’t wait! Register today on Eventbrite. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 19th or until tickets are sold out!
Art and design have the power to spark curiosity. Oftentimes we go through the course of a day confronted with biases that we’re not aware of. We can choose to stick our heads in the sand or open up spaces to have safe conversations. The Kennedy Art Center has chosen the latter.
Have you ever wondered what a preschooler, middle schooler, or even adult thinks about racism? Have you ever looked at products on the grocery store shelf and felt like something “just wasn’t right?” Have you ever wondered what races exist in Marion and how many might walk into an art gallery?
The upcoming Kennedy Art Center “How Do We Get Here” S gallery show is designed to spark your curiosity through experiential exhibits. Join us for the opening on Friday, October 20th from 7:00-9:00. While you’re downtown, also be sure and head over to the Firestone Building across from the Marion Public Library from 5:00-9:00 for live music and more!
*CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO PURCHASE ART FROM OUR CURRENT SHOW BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS OCTOBER 13TH!
Angie Thompson, Chief Financial Officer
One morning driving to work, I noticed a woman in the vehicle next to me frantically putting on her make up while at the stop light. She was obviously multi-tasking, but I could also tell she was a bit hurried as she quickly moved from mascara to another make up tool. Part of me started to say, “Well, I hope she is paying attention when that light turns green!”, but I quickly replaced that
with “Good morning fellow working female, I see you headed to work, putting on the finishing touches for the day, with a million other things going on inside that head of yours! You probably folded a load of laundry, put supper in the crock pot, and checked someone’s homework all before you left for your day!” I gave her a quiet nod in affirmation as we both pulled away from the stop light. It was my affirming way of saying, “You’ve got this! Go conquer the day!”.
Many times, in a female’s strive for leadership in her spheres of influence, she encounters non-affirming setbacks that take her off track mentally and physically. She may put a lot of effort and time into something that is done very well, only to not receive any feedback at all. When females are affirmed in their actions, they develop a sense of purpose, self-confidence, and identity. This leads to a level of risk-taking and creativity in females that a community benefits from.
So how can we help develop female leaders in our community? When we see females stepping out and entering new areas, encourage them! Send them a message, or a note, visit their business, and give constructive feedback. Acknowledge and show grace when people are trying new things. Leadership doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to learn and it takes an environment that fosters that learning. Let’s encourage young women to lead and dream. Give them opportunities to make decisions and to safely make mistakes. These things will only make communities stronger! Let’s say to each other, “I see you getting ready for the day! Go conquer it!”
“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.”
- Maya Angelou
Newsletter 030
A design proposal is typically a fairly simple ask. Design a brand identity for a school. Design a building space for a retail shop. Design a more efficient business strategy. Simple. Right? Not if you’re building change from the ground up. If real change is going to happen (not just pretty renderings that portray an unreachable future), we have to start at the foundation of why the problem exists. As with our health, the symptoms of pain or discomfort lead the client to seek a quick, simple solution. But before the diagnosis can be declared or medication is dispensed, the patient must go through a battery of tests and pages of questions seeking answers through investigation so the physician can synthesize the information leading to discovery. Once discovered, even then, some mystery may still exist.
As we pursue the ambitious task of digging through the groundwork of relationships, habits, assumptions, culture, and fear, the simple design problem is colorfully layered with information that requires creative tenacity. All design problems and solutions can’t exist without people. Not perfect people. Just people. People with personalities, preferences, and aspirations. They are the experts.
As design thinkers, we understand that the solutions we pursue must be discovered in partnership with the people who live with the problem. We’re the outsiders invited into the lives of the passionate strugglers. We bring with us the tools and aspirations to listen through custom tools and experiences created just for them and their context. From Big Blue Blocks© to mocktails and sticky notes, we blend objects of play and exploration to achieve measurable outcomes. It’s a privilege to be invited into their stories through the design process.
This month we’ve worked with so many partners in the context of design thinking. From Zoom sessions across the nation to local onsite sessions, we’ve met with so many of you! While the end goal may look like a designed box of activities, a new workspace, or a new brand identity, the process of partnership with the experts (you!) through design thinking is critical to a final design that will create lasting change. It’s worth every wrestling minute to spark curiosity that reveals true discovery! Reach out to us with your design problem if you’re interested in discovering how design thinking could lead to meaningful change in your organization, business, or community!
Traveling all the way from rural Alabama, we had the privilege of spending a few days this month with Pastor Micaiah and Associate Pastor Brian Tanck. As graduates of Princeton Theological Seminary and pastors of Scottsboro’s Cumberland Presbyterian Church, their innovative approach to engaging their congregation in the faith journey is unprecedented. They created thirteen experiential activities that emerged as a result of our design thinking session together that were designed to increase our understanding of the needs of families.
The hospitality at College Inn and cozy coffee at Lola’s refreshed them as they started each day. We combed through materials, exploring design possibilities to engage families in a meaningful way. Over meals (yes, at least two at Los Amores, one at Payne’s, and another at Casa Brava) and meetings in our studio, we not only shared stories and talked design but also the joys of living in a small rural community. As they return to their home, we are excited about accelerating what they’ve developed through design so that individuals can hold, interact, and engage with stories from the past to bring about insight for today.
Take an evening to slow down and join us on Thursday, October 26th from 6-8 pm for an unhurried dinner experience of sharing at the table. Dinner will be served at Marion Design Co. in a Korean-inspired style and the menu will feature Asian-American cuisine. Relax with new and familiar friends while savoring new and familiar flavors!
Tickets are $50 per person and include a multi-course meal experience. Only 30 seats are available so don’t wait! Register today on Eventbrite. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 19th or until tickets are sold out!
Make it stand out
Our collection of inspiring books offers a refreshing break from spreadsheets and emails! Join us in the middle of the day for a change of view while working. For just $5, you can choose from a drink in our fridge or a fresh latte. Walk in at your convenience and scan the QR code for Venmo to share the space or buy some art!
Emily Troutner, Chief Design Officer
When I was first introduced to the design thinking process when I started at Marion Design Co. in 2022, it gave me anxiety (and still does sometimes!) because there often isn’t a clear end goal in sight—it’s all about the exploration of the creative process that gets you there. As someone who likes to know how step A logically leads to step B in a clear orderly fashion, design thinking pushed me outside of my comfort zone but in a good way. It’s helped me embrace the unknowns
and recognize the potential for unconventional, innovative, and human-centered solutions that can be found in the midst of ambiguity. By stepping outside of the familiar and seeing things from a new perspective, the design thinking process unlocks hidden possibilities that otherwise may not have been discovered. Absurd ideas often hold gems of truth, seemingly silly exercises can lead to deep observations, and collaboration with strangers develops greater empathy.
What is something you’ve done lately that has pushed you outside of your comfort zone? If you ever find yourself stuck in a creative rut or looking for innovative ideas, I encourage you to try out some design thinking exercises (even if at first it may feel uncomfortable)! Reach out to us and we’d be glad to help give you some ideas. They can be a great way to get your creative juices flowing and learn something new!
Newsletter 029
As designers, we straddle foundations all the time. With one foot firmly grounded on our value system and the other stretching toward the unlimited opportunities design affords, we’re well aware of the giant question mark of risk presented to us every day. We’re used to staying flexible, while always relying on our firm foundation.
Recently, we’re heard a lot of buzz about AI generative design. Some have raised concerns about AI taking designers’ jobs, but we don’t need to see AI as a threat. We can hold fast to the same principles we always have: flexibility and foundation. And once we replace our fear with curiosity, we can see the opportunities AI provides us.
With AI generative design, we can now write faster, generate prototypes more quickly, and transition projects more easily from 2D to 3D. We can practice flexibility as we adapt to the presence of this new toolset. We simply have to maintain our foundation of human-centered design and realize how many skills we have that AI lacks. As human designers, we have the gift of taking our time — taking our time to build relationships, to follow our intuition, and to uncover original ideas.
What we’re getting at here is the idea of plasticity — the ability to be shaped or molded, to shift instead of remaining rigid. Like plastic, we are solid and yet moldable. We are both evergreen and current. As the abilities of AI generative design continue to develop, we can look toward the future with a sense of hopeful expectation. We can embrace change while staying rooted in our values.
One small way that Marion Design Co. is adapting to changes in technology and design is by updating our team members’ business cards. Before, our business cards looked quite traditional, with our contact information alongside our classic black and white color scheme. Now, our business cards incorporate QR codes to make sharing our information easier, as well as colorful illustrations to catch the viewer’s attention and add personality to the design.
Small changes like these can say a lot about a business, its priorities, and its willingness to adapt in an ever-changing landscape. Reach out to us if you’d like to update your business’ materials, learn how to use design thinking to adjust to changes in your industry, or imagine the future of your brand identity.
Marion Design Co. is hiring fall interns! We are looking for bold and talented interior and graphic designers to join our team. If you’re ready to learn, collaborate, and make a difference in your community, we want to hear from you! Applications are due August 30. Fall internships will run from September 8 through December 15. Find out more on our website:
Thank you to everyone who came out for the opening reception of “A Story in Stills” on July 28! Thank you as well to everyone who has stopped by to view the exhibit since then! We are so excited to display the Kennedy Art Center’s second-ever exhibition. The Kennedy Art Center is proud to display photography by five local Grant County artists as part of “A Story in Stills”: Jeremie Riggleman, Jamie Miles, Dallas Walters, Elayna Parandi, and Douglas D. Moneer.
The show will be up through September, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already! All of the photography currently on display is for sale. If you are interested in purchasing art, inquire at the Kennedy Art Center or view the collection online here:
Brittany Long, Chief Operations Officer and Project Manager
My husband and I recently moved into a new home. It’s the first home we’ve ever purchased actually. It’s very exciting! Our new home has a beautiful backyard that we’ve had so much fun filling with outdoor lights and seating. From our backyard, if you listen closely, you can hear the afternoon announcements being read over the loudspeaker at the elementary school down the block.
When I hear those announcements, it brings me straight back to my years as a Special Education teacher; and I can’t believe school is starting already. Maybe it’s because I spent most of the summer packing, moving, and unpacking, but it feels like the days flew by.
Are you someone who got excited about school? Or was school something you dreaded? Education itself is interesting once you become an adult. No longer is it something you are required to do but rather something you consciously choose to do. Even if you aren’t or haven’t pursued formal education farther than what was required, that doesn’t mean the learning stops. During the pandemic years, I decided to learn French. It gave me a challenge and allowed me to focus on something other than my regular day to day. What are you learning? Maybe you’re learning to help your children adapt to new routines. Maybe you’re currently pursuing some sort of degree. Maybe you’ve picked up a new hobby. Maybe you’ve attended or are planning to attend one of our workshops at the Kennedy Art Center. Whatever it is, I encourage you to keep at it! Keep learning. Keep challenging yourself. Keep discovering what you are capable of.
Newsletter 028
Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in dreaming of the most ideal way to solve a problem. And sometimes it’s easy to forget we can open our garage door.
One of the 11 principles for creating great community places, as put forward by the Project for Public Spaces, is to “start with the petunias: lighter, quicker, cheaper.” This principle relies on the idea of tactical placemaking — using the resources you have to create spaces where people can interact more naturally together. The idea is that even if you don’t have the resources or authority to embark on an expansive project, you can start with simple steps like planting petunias to make an outdoor space more inviting. Or bringing a table and chairs outside to give people more places to sit and talk.
Now that we’re settled into the Kennedy Art Center and hosting more events, it’s time to ask ourselves: how can we use the resources we already have to better foster connection and more natural engagement downtown? Specifically, how can we encourage more members of our community to enjoy spending time outdoors while downtown?
One idea we’ve had is to make better use of the glass garage door in the Kennedy Art Center’s kitchen. What would change if we opened that door more regularly? What if we took some of the tables and chairs out onto the sidewalk? What could happen if we took more simple steps like that to engage with our community, instead of waiting around for a more perfect solution to appear?
So what’s in a door? A door can be a threshold, a conduit for connection, and an opportunity for tactical placemaking and starting with the petunias. As you think about your own space — whether here in Marion or far away — what simple steps could you take to create spaces that encourage interaction? Reply to this email to let us know how you could use $10 or less to create an invitation for conversation!
Over the past month, we have loved getting to host more events in our new home at the Kennedy Art Center! Here’s a peek into some of our favorite events so far:
Mini Masterclass
Marion Design Co. has been thrilled to put on our first two Mini Masterclasses — creative workshops and art talks meant to inspire creativity while bringing our community closer together.
This series started off beautifully with “Cut Tear Glue,” a collage workshop hosted by our own Emily and Peter Troutner. We loved getting to see everyone’s creativity come out in the collages they put together!
Our second Mini Masterclass, “Fun with Fabric,” was hosted by Sue Munn, Debra L. Shepler, and Deb Geyer from the Quilter’s Hall of Fame. These talented quilters brought insight and imagination in their demonstrations on fabric collage and using hand-dyed materials in quilting.
Our third Mini Masterclass “Finding the Extraordinary from the Ordinary,” was led by Henrik Söderström and Bruce Campbell, professors at Indiana Wesleyan University, they taught us about the role of objects and how when we defamiliarize these objects we can see things anew. The participants created a group installation piece visible for the next week at the Kennedy Art Center.
Rotary Lunch
Marion Design Co. was also blessed to welcome the Rotary Club into our space for a delicious lunch and wonderful time of conversation. We loved the opportunity to create a lunch experience where guests could focus on their relationships with one another while we took care of the food, prep work, and clean up. We look forward to hosting similar events for more organizations in the future!
What’s Next
We are also excited to host the Marion Arts Commission’s monthly meeting on Monday, July 17, Greater Grant County’s Early Bird Breakfast, Thursday, July 20 at 7:00 am, and to participate in the downtown Magic Market on Saturday, July 22 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Magic Market is a street market hosted by Magic by Monica and Strive Studio.
We are delighted to now offer event rentals at the Kennedy Art Center! You can rent out part or all of the Kennedy Art Center’s first floor. We have four rental packages available to meet your needs for your next party, corporate or non-profit event, or family celebration. Check out the Kennedy Art Center website for availability and pricing:
The Kennedy Art Center’s second-ever art exhibition is scheduled to launch July 28th with an artist reception from 7:00-9:00pm. A Story in Stills will run from July 28 to Sept. 22, and will feature the work of photographers local to Grant County. This show hopes to spotlight the stories that unfold around us in everyday life, as well as the more glamorous or romanticized stories we spin for ourselves. Stay tuned for further details about the show’s opening reception!
Peter Troutner, Chief Creative Officer
No matter where we are - we as individuals have the power to share, teach, and foster conversation.
Recently while halfway around the world in Greece I had the opportunity to lead a group of kids and teens in a design thinking exercise to help them understand who they were as a group.
These kids and teens were Third Culture Kids or TCKs meaning they often split their lives between multiple cultures and sometimes don’t feel at home fully anywhere. While leading them through a design thinking exercise they were able to see that here among fellow TCKs they were understood and had a collective identity. Post it notes began to fill the wall as they found the humorous similarities such as the universal nature of rice and shared their inner thoughts to friends far away “just visit so that I don’t have to explain.”
The post it notes became sketches and ultimately a flag they could fully identify with. I marvel at the way a design problem can bring people to recognize their commonalities and find an identity together. Whether that’s around the world, in your business, nonprofit, church, or family - a culture of creativity can help you recognize what makes you who you are and the commonalities that allow you to feel at home and valued.
Post it notes and pencils may just have the power to bring people together and all you have to do is ask a question.
Newsletter 027
Since celebrating our grand opening with so many members of our community on May 5, we have been amazed by the number of visitors who have stopped by Marion Design Co. and Kennedy Art Center. We’ve had people set up appointments to get advice on leading teams, running small businesses, using effective design in marketing, discerning when to take risks, and more. We’ve also had the chance to conference with individuals about creative endeavors that sit close to their hearts.
Keep it coming! Our doors are open for you and all your ideas and questions.
Do you have an idea for a design project, a spark of inspiration about how to bring our Marion community closer together, or a vision of how we could help your brand flourish? Visit the Contact page on our website to book an appointment to discuss how we can serve as a consultant or advisor for your great ideas.
After a full year without a cohort of interns, we have been excited to welcome three new interns in the past month: Danielle Hembrock, our interior design intern and a rising senior at Ball State University; Anna McCreary, our graphic design intern as well as a Ball State senior; and Emily Dexter, our copywriting intern and a recent graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University. Over the past couple weeks, we have enjoyed settling into our new downtown space and beginning to collaborate on a variety of projects together.
We have much to look forward to in the coming months! Danielle most looks forward to gaining more hands-on experience in her field. Anna is excited to keep learning and meeting new people. Emily looks forward to expanding her skill set and further engaging with the Marion community. And we at Marion Design Co. are excited to share our new space with an incredible new team!
How do you design a space to be welcoming, educational, and inspiring all at once? Designing our new home at 326 S. Washington St. has been several years in the making, and our partnership with Chris Kennedy has produced great results.
The next time you stroll through Kennedy Art Center, take a look around you at the layout, the furniture, and the design elements that make the space feel cohesive and energized. We are proud to have partnered with Kennedy to develop the interior and exterior design of the studio and gallery as well as Kennedy Art Center’s visual brand identity.
Together, these two design processes resulted in both a space and a brand that reflect the legacy of the Kennedy family in Marion, bring energy and inspiration to our corner of downtown, and encourage the community to come together in new ways.
Kennedy Art Center and Marion Design Co. are excited to announce the opening of Kennedy Art Center’s second art exhibition: A Story in Stills: A Conversation Through Photographs on July 28th. This show will feature work by local photographers, highlighting pieces that ask us to consider the stories coming into focus around us. What do the scenes of everyday life have to tell us, and how does the everyday relate to more glamorized images?
If you are interested in submitting your work to be featured in A Story in Stills, contact kennedyartcenter@gmail.com. We especially hope to feature the work of photographers local to Grant County!
Wendy Puffer, Chief Executive Officer
Inspire all, not just the inspired.
326 South Washington is a place of inspiration transaction. Inspiration is not exclusive to those who inspire. It’s a gift whose value is elevated when it’s given away. Giving only requires doing the work. If you’re doing the work, others will notice and be inspired.
As a child, my morning wake-up call was always filled with the sound of my mom’s transistor radio blaring classical music and the clanging sound of her baking or the quiet presence of her painting wood or fabric. She was a maker. She didn’t know it, but I was inspired.
Now, as I work from a studio filled with art, next to other makers, pleasantly interrupted by spontaneous visitors, I’m inspired. Working from home was efficient, but it could lack the inspiration that comes from collaborative work. While working in a downtown building that peers through large picture windows toward other buildings revitalized by faithful risk takers, I’m constantly reminded of the long view toward empowering our community to do good for all, not just a few. We all need inspiration. And our greatest source of inspiration is each other. I feel blessed to get to work in a place where collaboration thrives — a place of inspiration transaction.
Newsletter 026
Kennedy Art Center
& Marion Design Co.
Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting, and Art Exhibit.
May 5, 2023 5:00-8:00 pm.
Ribbon Cutting with Greater Grant County at 5:30
Come celebrate with us this Friday night at 326 S. Washington St! Downtown will be filled with a familiar energy reminiscent for those who remember downtown as a “place to see and be seen.” Artists tend to create that space with their art. The gallery will be filled with paintings, sculptures, quilts, stained glass, and mixed media created by dozens of local artists’ and Kennedy family members. As you mingle and network, you’ll experience live music, charcuterie boards by Char & Co., a cash bar by Don’s Tap, tacos by Los Amores, and flowers by the Flower Cart Lady.
Artists whose work will be on display are:
Tashema Davis
Jonathan Bouw
Will Carpenter
Diane Owen
Daniel Tomas Hall
Sue Munn
Chris Kennedy
John Reishus
Debra Shepler
Don Artamas
Henrik Soderstrom
Emily Troutner
Peter Troutner
Debbie Luttrull
Jamie Miles
Hannah Richardson
Deb Geyer
Bruce Campbell
Laura Stevenson
Claudia McGinness
Jeremie Riggleman
Keith Lowe
Wendy Puffer
William “Bill” Kennedy
LaCroix Kennedy
Paul Kennedy
Joan Kennedy Seeger
Mercedes Kennedy Wells
Harriette Kennedy
Ken Kennedy
We’re grateful for the Marion Arts Commission’s generous sponsorship of this event and the participation of local businesses to enliven this significant event!
A paintbrush laden with paint glides across the canvas, a pencil scratches gently on the surface, clay molds to the shape of the potter’s fingers, iambic pentameter reveals itself in the rhythm of a poem, notes swell from the lungs. Each reveals a unique stroke - recognizable to the medium with which the mark is made. And from all these unique marks, unique stories are told by unique artists - showcasing a world once visible only to them. The Kennedy Art Center is where art is made visible - where each stroke before lays the ground for new strokes to come.
The brand is built upon a series of strokes that act as marks made on the world and uses a custom typeface built by Marion Design Co.
Our story starts with eight siblings - each incredibly gifted in their creative abilities. Pastels, acrylics, watercolor, poetry, sculpture, jewelry, florals, cartoons, the human voice, pencil, fashion, teaching & business - just the beginning of creative expression. Marks left by one generation now carried by the next. The Kennedy family makes a strong case for the value and ability for our work to make a mark on the world around us. Since the Kennedy Family set their roots in Marion they have left their mark, from early beauty shops in our downtown, a thriving countertop & cabinet business, education, the arts, and now the Kennedy Art Center.
Angie Thompson, Chief Financial Officer
We have started to see the word “gather” in many different places over recent years. We see it on signs in living rooms and kitchens, at events, and in organizations. It always makes me wonder, do we need to be told to gather in these spaces or does this happen naturally because of the space provided?
There have also been many alternatives introduced to gathering since 2020. We can now meet separately on our phones, in conference rooms, through screens, or through group messaging apps. While these have worked in situations when we couldn’t be together, there is something about connecting with people face to face and in person.
In the book, “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker, she makes observations on how we meet and why it matters.
“We gather to solve problems we can’t solve on our own. We gather to celebrate, to mourn, and to mark transitions. We gather to make decisions. We gather because we need one another. We gather to show strength. We gather to honor and acknowledge. We gather to build companies and schools and neighborhoods. We gather to welcome, and we gather to say goodbye.” (Parker, 2019)
This weekend we are gathering to open the Kennedy Art Center. We are gathering to celebrate and to welcome the community. We are gathering to acknowledge and laugh and relax with those who have helped this process come to fruition. We are gathering to open and begin a new journey.
So come and gather with us! We are providing a space and letting you know to “gather here”. This is not a situation where we can gather through a screen or in a message. We want to gather with you in a new and beautiful space and invite you into our journey. The art of gathering for Marion Design Co this weekend, is to share this moment with our community and to invite you to continue with us. We can’t wait to see you!
Parker, P. (2019). The Art of Gathering. Penguin Random House, 1.
We hope to see you at the Grand Opening on this Friday - May 5th, 5-8 pm!
Newsletter 025
Since our launch in 2016 at the old Salin Bank, we’ve been looking toward the future of a time when we would have a more permanent location in downtown, Marion. That time has come!
It’s only fitting that our process of landing at 326 has come with important partnerships along the way. We want to take a moment to recognize those people who have generously shared their space or other resources to lift us up at various times. We could not be in this time and place without each one of them!
Luke Anspach and Herb Peterson (currently Anderson University, SC) for being fearless and saying yes to God’s prompting.
Layla Price (City of Marion) who first introduced us to John Lawson (former Grant County Commissioner) who advocated for us to move into the Salin Bank while it was unoccupied.
Dawn Brown (Community Foundation of Grant County) who walked in our door the first week with a binder and a new account with $50 to start our organization.
Todd Guy, John Lakanen, and Harriet Rojas who found resources at IWU to keep us in business and help pay interns.
Henrik Söderström (IWU Art + Design) for so generously sharing his imaginative joy during the summer to keep us going and inspire our students with no expectations for compensation.
IWU Housing who provided our summer interns discounts for summer housing.
Mike Burton (Grant County Commissioner) who showed up everytime we needed help with something in the building.
Michael Moffit (IWU) who found the money to buy the giant vinyl poster “You Are the Answer” that greeted downtown travelers on our first building.
Dr. Wright and the Executive Council at IWU for saying yes to that first design thinking session.
Danny Robinson (City of Maron) who set up our wifi system and troubleshooted whenever it went out.
Mayor Jess and Chief of Staff Mike (City of Marion) who supported us throughout our journey and helped us tell the story of Marion through the initial brand project.
IWU Art + Design Division for saying yes to our crazy ideas and allowing God to use us to influence our students in unexpected ways.
Heidi Peterson for writing grant applications to help support us and providing valuable feedback for our interns.
The Fossils. This group of men (they met regularly on Tuesdays together for lunch) were our first group of community members who launched our summer of design thinking lunch sessions that allowed us to hear the stories of people who love our city. Thanks for the pizza!
John Jones for being an advocate for us with stakeholders time and time again to explore all of the options possible for a downtown studio location.
Evan Gilmore (United Way of Grant County) for being our technology guru and teaching us how to use the laser cutter.
Amanda Drury for partnering with us on projects that opened the door for supplying printers and furniture in the space.
Doug Daugherty for being an advocate and purchasing the bright yellow chairs that enhanced our library.
Chris Kennedy who met with us in 2018 with the vision to partner with us to create a permanent place for Marion Design Co. and a place for community art.
The kind man who secretly cleaned our windows at the Salin Bank.
The many community members who brought us lunch and snacks as we led the team in research day after day.
Pat Mitchell, owner of Ride and Leather made space for us next to their shop to create a studio where we led interns, met clients and conducted classes.
Rod Reed, Ron Mazellan, and many others who helped do the heavy lifting as we moved our stuff from location to location.
Scott Miller and Faraz Abbasi for saying yes. Their generosity and willingness to take a risk on our vision was so important to landing us on the downtown square.
Megan Gilmore and Larks Song who generously allowed us to call their studio home for a summer as we worked with interns and clients. It was a perfect location to launch Marion Made Mini (a weekend bakery featuring Kate Luttrull’s amazing baked goods).
Mary Eckerle and the Marion Public Library Board for allowing us to rent out the Jay House at a very reasonable rate so we could continue working in the city with interns.
These are just a few of the people who have made a significant impact in the story of Marion Design Co. Our interns, clients, & community members are the foundation of the day to day work that we are committed to. If you fall in one of those categories, YOU bring the life to our studio and the vision that allows us to use design to improve people’s lives and do the work God’s called us to do.
Soon we’ll be in a building birthed from a partnership of vision between Chris Kennedy (former President of Hartson Kennedy and current Marion Arts Commission Chairman) and Marion Design Co. We are beyond grateful for the tireless advocate Chris has been on behalf of Marion Design Co. and the arts in Marion. We look forward to carrying on the vision for decades to come…now that we’re in the building!
This month marks our first step into the national network of WBENC. Wendy and Emily attended the WBENC conference in Nashville, TN. to glean insight from female business leaders from across the nation.
In an effort to network and learn how we can best lead MDCO effectively, we’re working to make connections on a larger scale. Not only did we meet with women who are making a difference in their communities but we also had the opportunity to grab breakfast with one of our intern alumni, Jared Strand!
Brittany Long, Project Manager and Chief Operating Officer
As we wrap up March and prepare for April, I want to reflect on what Women’s History Month means to me and give you a little history on the subject. In 1981, Congress passed Women’s History Week which was celebrated the first week in March. In 1987, Congress passed Women’s History Month on behalf of the petition submitted by the National Women’s History Alliance.
In the years following, various presidents have honored significant women during the month of March. The Women’s History Month theme for 2023 was “Women Who Tell Our Stories.” The National Women’s History Alliance stated:
The timely theme honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition decade after decade. From the earliest storytellers through pioneering journalists, our experiences have been captured by a wide variety of artists and teachers. These include authors, songwriters, scholars, playwrights, performers, and grandmothers throughout time. Women have long been instrumental in passing on our heritage in word and in print to communicate the lessons of those who came before us. Women’s stories, and the larger human story, expand our understanding and strengthen our connections with each other. (https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2023-theme/)
As an organization, we were founded by a woman and are run primarily by women. The work of our CEO, Wendy Puffer, embodies the devotion of producing art, engaging in conversation, and creating opportunities for the younger generation. Who are the women in your life that have made an impact on you? For me personally, I look at my mom, grandmother, sister, aunts, mother-in-law, and sisters-in-law. These women encourage me and uplift me. I am also impacted at work by the women who either supervise me or partner with me in our daily work. I encourage you to reflect on the women in your life and the impact they have made on you personally and in their communities.
We hope to see you at the Grand Opening on May 5th, 5:00-8:00 pm!
Newsletter 024
This newsletter highlights new and fresh approaches while recognizing our origin story as we celebrate our second year as an LLC on March 15th and 7th year since our original launch!
What does it take for a garden to grow? Hard work - cultivating the soil, planting seed, and continued care.
What does it take for a faith community to grow and innovate? Hard work - navigating creativity, building connections, and constant care. The Innovation Culture Index run by the Center for Youth & Ministry Training seeks to assess the attitudes and innovative potential in churches through a series of nine indicators.
We were brought alongside to refresh the visual interest in their survey and create a more seamless experience for calculating the data analytics of survey responses.
Building upon the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) we mind-mapped and thought about the condition of the soil and created a visual landscape that would shift throughout the survey to tell the story of cultivation, planting, taking root, and flourishing.
Each of the nine indicators that are central to the survey was considered with care as we dove into visual metaphors that pertained to growth, gardening, and soil. The final survey became as much a clear and helpful tool as it did a storytelling piece and work of art.
KENNEDY ART CENTER &
MARION DESIGN CO. GRAND OPENING
& MARION ARTS COMMISSION ART STROLL
Sponsored by Marion Arts Commission
GRAND OPENING
MAY 5, 2023 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Art Exhibit, Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting
326 SOUTH WASHINGTON ST.
MARION, IN 46952
ART STROLL
MAY 6, 2023 | 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
WASHINGTON ST. between 1st & 3rd Streets
MARION, IN 46952
Kennedy Art Center, Marion Design Co. and the Marion Arts Commission invites the public to MAKE ART VISIBLE in downtown Marion, IN! This event features the grand opening of the Kennedy Art Center and Marion Design Co’s new art gallery and design studio on Friday, May 5th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The ribbon cutting by Greater Grant County is scheduled for 5:30 pm. We’ve invited leaders of arts organizations throughout Grant County to display the art of their directors in the gallery including the Marion Arts Commission, Fusion Arts Alliance, Grant County Arts Alliance, Quilters Hall of Fame, Orchestra Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan University, Taylor University, and Community School of the Arts, and more.
An art stroll, sponsored by Marion Arts Commission and led by Tashema Davis, will be open on Saturday, May 6th from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm featuring local artists of all ages from schools, organizations, and businesses in locations along Washington Street between 1st and 3rd streets in downtown. Visual arts will be on display at Echo Art Gallery, Psychedelic Cellar, Radiant Health, Grant County Abstract and more. Musicians will be performing at various locations along the stroll and Tappan That Sound will be curating the sounds on the street.
As spring approaches, the long awaited custom designed bike racks will begin peppering the downtown square. As with many recent initiatives in Grant County, this project began as a collaborative effort through various stakeholders across our city. Makayla Mirazza, Riley Sapp, Michelle Doyle, Wendy Puffer, Michael Mathias, and several others represented multiple organizations and businesses to explore the opportunity to encourage healthy forms of transportation. Wiley Metal was a key partner in research for the best materials and feasible structure to ensure they were designed with safety and longevity in mind. Anthony Combs at Diamond K worked with us to implement the design so the colors were cohesive with the city brand and the product could withstand our weather conditions.
This first phase will address placing the racks on the central sidewalks that make up the square. Following phases will begin spreading the bike racks to surrounding areas.
It’s only fitting that as we look ahead toward moving into a permanent location in downtown Marion, that we reflect the original partnership that launched Marion Design Co’s existence. On March 15th, it marks the second year we’ve existed as an LLC after a five year partnership with Indiana Wesleyan University. We have so much to celebrate and a wonderful future ahead with relationships broadening and deepening across our region. Thank you to everyone who’s contributed to empowering Marion Design Co. to pursue a strong future as we serve our community and clients.
Jared Strand
Photobooth and Experience Designer
at The Majestic Photobooth Co.
Jared Stand grew up here in Marion, Indiana inspired by the rich history of local architecture. This led him on a career path to implore design for social impact with an emphasis on placemaking. As a placemaking intern at Marion Design Co in the Summer of 2021 and the spring of 2022, he dove headfirst into the work he did bringing his unique set of skills to a variety of projects. One of the most valuable things that he learned from his time with MDCO was the balance of work and life. As his first professional design experience, he says “it allowed me to cut off the project focus when not on the clock- something that wasn’t really possible on school design projects. This separation allowed much healthier and productive work inside and outside of MDCO!”
Wherever you meet Jared he has a big smile on his face so if you bumped into him during one of our Marion Made Mini pop ups in the summer of 2021, you were likely greeted by him. Organizing and planning these with fellow intern and friend, Jessica Moore was exciting as the downtown sidewalks were activated with local baked goods, cafe tables, music, and people!
Many of the projects at Dream Academy were his favorites giving him real world experience with a variety of projects. He used the laser cutter to create play objects, interviewed and selected local mural artists to work in their play space, created material layouts and concepts for their kitchen, and more.
This January, Jared moved to Nashville Tennessee where he began a roll as Photobooth and Experience Designer at The Majestic Photobooth Co. (@majesticbooths http://majesticphotobooths.com). He says. “In this position I get to design each of the various elements that goes into the construction of our photobooths- this includes things like wood laminate selections, printed panel designs, curtains, etc. I have also been tasked with the occasional placemaking/interior design project, and with a big “top secret” project in the works at our headquarters!” This position perfectly fits his experience and talents and he sees the small studio experience he got at MDCO with his teammates as setting him up for success in his current team. His love of historic architecture has not left him as he makes a home in a new city. He now lives in a historic 1930 home and has been super energized by the ability to curate and design his own space.
Peter Troutner, Creative Director & Chief Creative Officer
There is a lightness that comes with spring - that first warm day you can leave your coat behind. Time slows down - you can enjoy a walk not hurriedly sprinting for your destination. We emerge from our winter hibernation and encounter life - new buds, birds returning, and our neighbors out and about again.
Our senses come alive - no longer just the chilling sensation of winter wind, but now the smell of the world beginning to thaw and blooms bursting forth.
There is always such expectation with the coming of spring, wondering when it will make its final emergence and not fake us out and plunge us back into another day of winter. Here at Marion Design Co we feel this expectation palpably as we are on the verge of entering our new building - ready once again to be on the downtown square to step outside our doors and greet our neighbors. We too are seeing new budding projects, clients returning for more, and friends excited to share in this space with us. Hopefully like spring- it’s a place of life - where art becomes visible and perhaps warms your heart allowing new ideas to take seed and grow.
Newsletter 023
There’s no greater experience than to enjoy one another’s company over an elevated, intentionally prepared meal. Our leadership team, including spouses, met in January for an 8:30 pm dinner at Bongi’s in Perkinsville, IN. It’s a tavern that requires reservations months ahead of time, thus the Christmas party one month into 2023. Well worth the wait. With the hustle and bustle of Christmas deadlines behind us, we were freer to focus on celebration. Our waiter was so colorful, enhancing our experience. His ability to rattle off every scrumptious detail of the food pairings was impressive. His enthusiastic communication made every item on the menu feel like the best possible option, making it hard to select just one dish.
The combination of the company of our team and the rich and flavorful dining experience was a perfect example of something “made better than it was supposed to be made” because of one person’s full investment in the experience of dining. We expected a really good meal, but we didn’t expect the friendly character sprinkled over the menu descriptions and the humor perfectly placed during our interactions.
It’s with this kind of genuine intention that we work to approach the projects for our partners. We hope for delight when our approach to solving someone’s design problem is beyond their expectations. The solution has to tell the best parts of their story. It has to be genuine, creating something better than it was supposed to be made!
KENNEDY ART CENTER &
MARION DESIGN CO. GRAND OPENING
MAY 5, 2023
5:00 TO 8:00 PM
326 SOUTH WASHINGTON ST.
MARION, IN 46952
One of our greatest joys is utilizing design to tell the story of people in our community who are working together to do good things! We recently completed a brand identity for three Grant County Chambers who came together and agreed to work together as one organization rather than three separate entities. The Marion, Gas City, and Upland Chamber Directors, Kylie Jackson, Liz Adams, and Dianne Hovermale and their board members came together to agree on a unified new name, Greater Grant County.
From their vision, our hope was to create a brand that reflected their mission to be a catalyst for business growth, convener of leaders & influencers, and a champion for a stronger Grant County. Through the divergent and convergent research, synthesis, and ideation process we narrowed our concepts to present to the team of directors. After consulting their boards and reviewing their vision, they finalized their preference to reveal the final logo and brand guidelines.
Our proposal began with a question and concluded with a declaration of celebration. What does it mean to propel growth? To be a catalyst? To accelerate? Greater Grant County is the one stop shop that helps push people, community, businesses, and the economic growth from the ground up. Through an arrow that comes from the “G” it makes the corners of our square county expand and grow. What emerges is greater than what it was before. Ultimately celebrating the people of Grant County - we emerge connected, raising a rallying cheer, “Go Greater Grant!”
Ongoing relationships built on trust and vision are fundamental to our mission as a community based design studio. Layla was one of our first connections as we launched our work in downtown Marion. She advocated for us to the County Commissioners so we could work from the old Salin Bank on the corner of 3rd and Washington. This became our studio home for the first three years of our work. She continues to partner with us as we pursue revitalization of downtown Marion and work with clients to elevate the quality of design emerging from organizations and businesses.
AUDRA FRIEDEN
Magnolia Graphic Designer
Audra Frieden is a Colorado native with a passion for skateboarding, running (competed on the IWU women’s track team) and design that inspires. As a placemaking and graphic design intern at Marion Design Co. in the summer of 2021, she states that one of the most valuable things she learned from her time in Marion is how much presence changes perception. Before moving to Indiana, the narrative she would hear about the city of Marion were predominately negative. However, the more she became immersed in the city and community through her time at MDCO, her love for the city grew. Working with the MDCO team each day to stand shoulder to shoulder with other community members who were invested in the city inspired her and excited her to learn how much opportunity Marion really had to offer. Her time at Marion Design Co instilled a deep passion for human centered design, pushing her to always think about the core needs she’s trying to address and empathize with the people she’s designing for.
One of the projects she enjoyed the most was creating a set of postcards with illustrations of the city of Marion for the Christmas in July event. “I loved it because it felt like a tangible way to celebrate a place that is full of wonderful people & opportunities. I wanted to create something that inspired people to develop a deeper connection and new appreciation for their city,” says Audra. Her postcards are still available in shops around the city.
Audra is currently a graphic design intern at Magnolia in Waco, TX, where she’s designing for retail marketing and guest experience. She’s always been inspired by the design and content from their magazine, Magnolia Journal, so after graduating with her BFA in Visual Communication Design, she applied for Magnolia's internship program and was able to get connected to the creative team.
She’s currently finding inspiration from staying connected with friends in the creative world (many of whom are from her MDCO cohort!), observing historic architecture in the cities she’s spent time in over the last year and getting involved in community-based organizations in Waco such as Mission Waco.
Wendy Puffer, Co-Founder & Chief Design Officer
I have a love/hate relationship with imposter syndrome. My efforts to blend in with the crowd have often left me with the exact feelings I opposed. I recall hanging out with the smart kids in high school, carefully veiled by their reputation with my secret stash of average grades. I was an imposter of my own doing.
Now, as one who’s raised teens, I’ve embraced the imposter syndrome of risk. For me, the feeling has become a signifier that tells me I’m sitting on the right side of risk. I’ve shifted the title from identifying my need for approval of outside sources to embracing an innate intuition to meet people’s needs. In order to keep my intuition in check, I’ve discovered key disciplines critical to growth so I have the courage to shout a risky “yes" to the right things.
Top on my list of courage builders is reading. I read something everyday. Each morning, always with a cup off coffee in hand, my reading begins with the most effective text of courage, the Bible. From stories to anecdotes, it sets me on track for how to approach the day.
The reading I do throughout the day comes from diverse resources in order to leverage various blocks of time to take in inspiration or key insights for my latest interests. Thanks to technology I’m able to read in the dark, while exercising, in the car while driving, during work, or resting on my sofa. Currently I’m reading Hangry: A Startup Journey (written by the founder of Grub Hub), To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink, Good to Great by Jim Collins, Maps of the World according to Illustrators and Storytellers, Atlas of Cities by Paul Knox, An Incomplete and Subjective List of Terms and Topics Related to Art and Social Practice, Art is Life by Jerry Saltz, and The Gift of Failure by Ari Rategegar. I just finished Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Auner, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett Graff, Dare to Lead by Brene Brown, and To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue.
The voices in these books include messages I agree with - don’t agree with, theories I resonate with - have no experience with, world views familiar - unfamiliar, and words that I embrace - or resist. I’m ready to continue teetering on the edge of risk. It’s where I belong and, I’m discovering from my reading, where many others choose to live.
