In the summer of 2019, my friend Ariel Panowicz and I grabbed coffee together. She is a local creative and a self-employed, wildly talented photographer. Our conversation turned pretty quickly to work. We discussed the hard parts of our small businesses—the things keeping us up at night, ideas for the future, and how lonely it can all feel. And then we talked about all of the good people in this city who are wrestling through similar topics and decided that the we should all spend more time together.

At that very patio table, we came up with the idea of hosting a panel discussion where we can get together in the real life. Hear from a handful of inspiring folks who are doing the work. Network. Eat good food. Learn from each other. And laugh. Like, a lot.

We’ve hosted three of these now and are eager to keep the calendar full moving forward. If you would like to sign up for an email list (that will only be about these upcoming Art + Work events) just sign up by pressing the button below.

All of these photos are by the talented Kaleb Duncan Photography.

We dropped the ball and didn’t have anyone documenting the first event with a camera, but a full list of the panelists to-date are listed here. Please support them and others like them. Let’s vote with our dollars for small businesses and non-profits and creatives in this city.

Brigitte McQueen Shew / Founder, The Union for Contemporary Art
Alicia Clark- Reisinger / Owner, Wax Buffalo
Tara Miller / Owner, The Heartland
Addis Browne / Owner, Roots Collective
Ali Louise / Owner, Snowshoe Candy Company
Theardis Jay + CharDale Barnes / Stable Gray
Gladys Harris / Big Mama's Kitchen And Catering
Rachel Campbell / Noa Brides
Miah Sommer / The Bike Union and Coffee
Tim Maides / Benson Soap Mill
Dave Nelson / SecretPenguin
Marquis Barnes / The Keys Foundation
David Yoshitomo / Yoshitomo
Ashley Crawford / Ashley Crawford Photography
Watie White / Artist