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.
