THIS IS OUR BLOG.

Wendy Puffer 10/3/23 Wendy Puffer 10/3/23

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.

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!

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!

Purchase Art

**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

Wendy Puffer 9/19/23 Wendy Puffer 9/19/23

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.

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!

Purchase 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!

Wendy Puffer 8/11/23 Wendy Puffer 8/11/23

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:

Join Our Team

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:

Purchase Art

***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.

Wendy Puffer 7/14/23 Wendy Puffer 7/14/23

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:

Rent the Space

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.

Wendy Puffer 6/9/23 Wendy Puffer 6/9/23

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.

HAVE AN IDEA?

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.

EXTERIOR/INTERIOR DESIGN

BRANDING

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!

FEATURE MY WORK

***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.

Wendy Puffer 5/4/23 Wendy Puffer 5/4/23

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!

Wendy Puffer 4/3/23 Wendy Puffer 4/3/23

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!

Wendy Puffer 3/6/23 Wendy Puffer 3/6/23

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.

Read the Case Study

KENNEDY ART CENTER &
MARION DESIGN CO. GRAND OPENING
& MARION ARTS COMMISSION ART STROLL

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.

THIS IS OUR BLOG.

Mini Masterclass

Rotary Lunch

What’s Next

Kennedy Art Center& Marion Design Co.

Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting, and Art Exhibit.

KENNEDY ART CENTER &MARION DESIGN CO. GRAND OPENING& MARION ARTS COMMISSION ART STROLL

Jared StrandPhotobooth and Experience Designerat The Majestic Photobooth Co.

Kennedy Art Center
& Marion Design Co.

KENNEDY ART CENTER &
MARION DESIGN CO. GRAND OPENING
& MARION ARTS COMMISSION ART STROLL

Jared Strand
Photobooth and Experience Designer
at The Majestic Photobooth Co.