Help Us Get The Mo-Pho Launched This Summer

Hi, I'm Teresa. Artist and entrepreneur. I use art to create safe spaces, to inspire curiosity, and foster creativity. My passion is to help facilitate the journey to radical self-expression that leads personal liberation.

The Mo-Pho was an idea I conjured up five years ago after a spontaneous rendezvous downtown New Haven with my partner, Chris. We decided to get dressed up as a Kitty and Bunny for reasons unknown – and the reaction it stirred was memorable having been stopped left and right by passersby pleading to take pictures with us. One being bold enough to stuff a crumbled dollar bill in Chris’s hand. The first dollar we made together. 

My drive to work the next morning was very inspired – “Individually we like to create joy – but we do it better - TOGETHER”! In those short six minutes the concept for The Mo-Pho was born, from the idea to the name and all the way down to the jingle.

“A mobile-photo bus that you can hear coming like the ice cream truck!”

The mode of transportation – The Mo-Pho was many things in my head; a box truck, a trailer, a VW van, an airstream and a school bus. It was so hard commit to one for fear it just wouldn’t be right for the vision. So finally I asked myself what vehicle can really accommodate all of these big ideas I have --- how would an intimate concert really look in a VW van? How would an art show work on in a box truck? Then I stumbled on a converted double decker bus on a Vineyard out in Australia that rocked my world. This was it. I’ve never seen my dream look so real.

Vision - The Mo-Pho is a mobile photography venue and event space. We want to use the bus in two major parts – the first is as a traveling venue to facilitate photo inspired gatherings. Our passion is to create portals for immersive play. By creating the platform for moments to unfold into whatever your imagination can manifest, it creates an opportunity to embody your own fantasies. As opposed to waiting for moments to capture we create them. For us it's about creating worlds that don’t exist.

The other function of the bus will be for OTHER people to conjure up their own worlds! Yes, to renting it for the weddings and birthday parties but not limited to –the intention behind it all is getting people to tap into their own creativity! The Mo-Pho is designed with versatility in mind so fashion shows, festivals, pop up shops, intimate concerts, dinner parties…the possibility is either limited or expanded by your imagination.

In the summer of 2021 we bought a 1996 Scania double decker bus from the UK that was formerly used by the Liverpool Football Club. We had it painted there and then shipped to us and have been working on the conversion. It's been an exciting adventure with many twists and turns along the way.

The next phase of the conversion is to bring a contractor on board to do the lighting, audio, power supply, and built in seating. Each floor will be able to have its own lighting, audio, and VIBE.

I started this fundraiser because, well, we've spent all the money we had and then some to get where we are thus far. We really thought we had this thing covered as far as funds go and we’ve had offers for donations but held out in effort to do it on our own. Stubborn? Maybe.

At this point we’ve exhausted all of the resources available to us and still have a ways to go. Now we need your help to finish the conversion so that we can have the bus ready for events later this summer. Please make a donation and share this page to help us get there.

When the The Mo-Pho is finished we're going to throw a big party on the bus specifically for everyone that contributed to this campaign. Any donation amount is very helpful and any donation amount will get you an invite to the party.

Here's what we need the funds for :

The Design- The first floor will be the main seating area with large booth that spans the back half of the bus. Guests can enjoy unlimited access to the self-directed photo booth and a coffee/bar/kitchenette area. This space would also feature one or two art installations from a different local artist each month, providing different options for backdrops. We want it to be reminiscent of a café or lounge.

The second floor is an open top deck. This will be an open floor plan that will allow for standing and dancing, but easily lends itself to customizable seating options depending on what the event calls for. This open and versatile space is where the main photo shoot party action will happen, and other activities like wine tastings or yoga (imagine meditating on the top deck on Temple Street under the stars!).

If this campaign is successful we're looking at an August launch date, which will leave us with a few good months to do events this year. Please donate today and share the link to make the vision a reality this summer. Any amount helps and we appreciate it so much.

Also check out The Mo-Pho Website for updates on the bus, and to see the story/conversion until now.