Reflecting on the future

I had grand ideas to write a big entry about what is about to happen, but there was SO MUCH TO SAY that I didn’t know where to begin. But it’s happening and I want to pour out as much as I can.

The Haile Fellowship

So I applied for a Fellowship through People’s Liberty in February. They’re an… experiment to invest in people (not non-profits) to make Cincinnati even better. It’s a terribly innovative approach to philanthropy and I love what they’ve accomplished their first year: Funding two Fellowships, a ton of project grants and developing an exhibition space. I even got to hang out for a week with their residents and we made a poster.

I know them. They’re good people and what they’re doing has resonance that affects the city I call home.

When they announced this year-long civic sabbatical as a way to “Change your story. Change the city.”, my ears perked and gears started turning.

I’ve been taking daily photos (admittedly, I don’t post them all) for over 10 years and it is one of the “projects” I enjoy most. Largely because it’s nice to reflect on the day, but I’ve also started to see patterns in life: the bright spots, and dull ones, the seasons, the moments that elate a little bit more and stick.

But I also saw what wasn’t there… These snapshots are a bit… myopic. I’m shy to take photos of people. I wanted more meaning, more diverse subject matter (aside from my cat Edie, cars and trees). And I didn’t go to school for photography, there are deficits in composition and general technique.

I imagined a project where I could dedicate myself to getting better, share the experience and package it up as a way for others to do the same.

If I can motivate one post that isn’t about politics, famous people or what you can do with a can of refrigerated biscuits in 30 seconds, then I’ll consider it a success.

So that starts Monday.

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know how it will play out exactly, but I have some legs to provide a framework, a strong team of advisors to help refine the idea and the solid folks at People’s Liberty to remind me what good is. Frankly all the unknowns are terribly exciting.

I’ll talk more about specifics before long, but there are some other dangling bits I should address:

What about Wire & Twine?!

Lots of good things are in the works for Wire & Twine. While I’m away from the studio, Tom will continue to helm operations.

We know we’re overdue for new products, but we’ve been shoring up wholesale processes. You can now find a selection of our goods at MiCA, Park + Vine, Joseph Beth, Shake It RecordsDuBois Bookstore and MOON Co-Op.

2016 is also a big transition for our little studio, as we pack up the press and move to the new Pixels & Ink depot building in Northside later this year. With an expanded darkroom, the aforementioned screen-printing equipment, room for events and most excitedly–a coworking space for creative folks.

Construction is well underway of this historic building.

Here’s a photo of the glorious structure with Tom for scale:

0329-depot

So that’s it in a nutshell.

Exciting. Everything.