Our home at the Eastmorland Community Center.
Kindling Community Arts is very lucky and grateful to find its launch-pad at the Eastmorland Community Center (ECC). The ECC has a beautiful story to tell about the evolving ways we cultivate community.
The building has operated as a church in our neighborhood since the 1950’s. In recent years, leadership of Common Grace Church worked to create a secular non-profit, the Eastmorland Community Center, with the intention to open their doors to mission aligned organizations. They've created space for small organizations to launch and grow, a place for community groups to gather and connect, and opportunities for us to celebrate our shared lives here in Madison. Other building partners include The Ethical Trade Company, Whole Child Parenting, and MMSD Play and Learn. The building is used by groups like scouts, Al-Anon, small theater and improve troupes, and a local piano instructor. ECC hosts annual gatherings like Tunes on the Triangle, a free Thanksgiving meal, and a holiday market complete with Santa Visit. This year, they’ve increased their weekly food pantry service to neighboring Schenk Elementary School families and opened their doors for weekly “Third Space” hours with free WiFi. They did all of this while working really hard on plans to further develop the property to include workforce housing and a NEW community center building better suited for these diverse user groups. Phew! They are tiny but so mighty! I am blown away by what they’ve accomplished.
Eastmorland Community Center is a fledgling non-profit who needs support with operational capacity funds. They are providing generative possibilities for us to come together around creative and collaborative pursuits. If you’re excited to see these types of collaborative organizations thrive here, please consider donating to our Giving Tuesday campaign!
My favorite thing about living in Madison is being surrounded by so many enormous hearts. Thanks for being a part of it!
Speaking of ECC building partners, I’m excited to tell you about another budding organization who will share the art studio space as needed. Meet Madison Death Collective, who brings together healers, practitioners, and resources for caregivers and grievers. Formed by artists deeply impacted by grief, they work to create networks of community care and healing. They will host Weave and Grieve events and offer other community supports, like organized meal trains, through the ECC building. (They’re actually hosting their first Weave and Grieve tomorrow, Dec 4th, at the Goodman Community Center if you’re interested, grab a ticket!)
What’s coming up in the studio?
I envision a future version of the studio where monthly memberships give families or individuals access to use the space more freely. These sessions will be a small step in that direction. I hope you’ll consider stopping by to connect!
These are open exploration sessions, there will not be instruction but there will be prompts and invitations. Stay for as little or long as you’d like. I will be there as a guide and cheerleader!
These art mornings have been my absolute favorite. I love seeing families creating together while chatting with neighbors and friends. Hope to see you at the last one of the year!
I’m working hard on the schedule for the new year! Stay tuned and expect some of the following:
more watercolor lunch breaks
more tinkering tots sessions for ages 2-5
more no-school day art play sessions for ages 5-9
a drawing club to practice seeing as an artist
date nights: two versions
parent and tween have a date together in the art room
parents night out, drop your child between ages 5-12 to do some art play while you go out!
potential offerings led by other community artists such as:
a coloring club
a weaving series
a hand clay class
a hand sewing class
Thank you all for coming to make art and for your support and encouragement in many forms!
❤️🔥Carrie
