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Recycling + Art = GreenBiz

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I'm a metal artist developing a line of products from recycled materials in my home studio in Raleigh, NC.  My market niche is the creative intellectual nostalgic for retro technology - who appreciates the value of recycling - and longs for finely crafted handmade items with the human touch.


PHOTO: My original  work Techy FineLine Bow Tie

With your financial support, I am attending an 8-week intensive course at Penland School of Crafts  to become more technically proficient in metalsmithing and product replication. Access to Penland's metals studio, specialized equipment and expert instruction by Laura Wood will allow me to more quickly develop and launch my production line of up-cycled and recycled works of art - as well as hire and teach others.


PHOTO: Me teaching Bobby, one of my entrepreneurship students, to fold-form metal

Given my training and seven years of experience in development and managing the Entrepreneurship Program at StepUp , a Raleigh-based nonprofit, I have  the requisite business skills to build a metalsmithing business based on recycling and repurposing, as well as hire others. My area of interest is in  reducing the global problem of excessive toxic technology waste polluting our environment: discarded computers, cell phones, and printers.

Penland tuition and studio fees, plus room and board is $8,000 plus incidentals and keeping my home fires burning.   This big chunk of change is simply beyond my current means. I am working fulltime as a metalsmith, equipping my studio, buying supplies- and as a relatively new metalsmith, only now beginning to market and sell my original creations. My serious journey began with a partnership with Teaming 4 Technology NC ,  a United Way agency, as a project to deal responsibly with recycling and toxic waste. This turned into my "arts and parts" upcycling business.

Penland offers time and instruction to master my skills more quickly than I would with the weekly classes available locally. The metalsmithing concentration course at Penland is eight solid weeks. Many friends know that for three years I was a joyful 24/7 caregiver to my beloved late husband, Heman. After his death, I chose to work in the non-profit sector for very modest wages, thus I do not have deep pockets to achieve this goal on my own. Several family members and dear friends have pledged to assist and even donated equipment. I am incredibly touched by their outpouring of generosity and financial support.  



Your donation at this time in my development to attend Penland to specialize in recycling and replication will be invaluable to helping me bridge the time and funding gap.  I've had many blessings and I know that now, with my friends help, this is the perfect moment for going to Penland and immerse myself in this work at this point in my career.  I am forever grateful.

Sincerely,

Mary Jane Clark
Recycling+Art+Biz+Education

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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $50
    • 9 yrs
  • Marsha Owen
    • $3,000 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $1,000 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • AG Zalal
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • David Owen
    • $3,000 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Mary Jane Clark
Organizer
Raleigh, NC

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