Supporting Individual Artists: How Prioritizing Affordable Workspaces Pays Off

Recorded On: 09/23/2020

Overview
Speaker(s)

About this Webinar

Join Siobhan Spain of Mainframe Studios in Des Moines, Iowa, to learn about a replicable model for providing safe, accessible, inclusive and sustainable studio options for creative professionals. Hear from Deshara Bohanna and Gretchen Bohling, two of the nonprofit’s 52 entrepreneurs, about how an affordable professional setting and supportive environment stimulated their business growth and community engagement.

Learning Objectives:

Discover how providing proper infrastructure for individual artists benefits communities in profound ways.
Learn a new approach to building creative workspaces that is financially self sustaining and forward-thinking in diverse ways.

This project is supported in part by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Siobhan Spain

Director, Mainframe Studios

Mainframe Studios director Siobhan Spain has over 25 years of experience in arts administration as an advocate of individual artists. She managed contemporary art nonprofit SITE Santa Fe, the studio office of MacArthur Fellow and blacksmith Tom Joyce, and Mary Goldman Gallery in Los Angeles. Siobhan has served in committee and board roles for Center for Contemporary Arts Santa Fe, Santa Monica Museum of Art, Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Los Angeles Times’ foundation, and Women, Food & Agriculture Network.

Website: mainframestudios.org

Instagram: @mainframearts

Facebook: @mainframearts

Deshara Bohanna

Owner, Design Fetish by Deshara

Deshara Bohanna is the owner of Design Fetish by Deshara, member of her local school board and an active community volunteer. After earning a BA in Journalism at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and pursuing a graduate degree at Iowa State University, Deshara worked in corporate America for more than 10 years. In 2016, she decided to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams in the wreath and floral industry. At Design Fetish, Deshara’s mission is to create beautiful conversation pieces and décor that uplift, inspire and celebrate life’s special moments, even when they’re hard to find. Deshara’s designer wreaths are now sold in local hospital boutiques, gift shops and a top purchase item for realtors, event planners, restaurants and hotels.

Website: bydeshara.com

Instagram: @designfetish_wreaths

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bydeshara

Gretchen Bohling

Owner, Gretchen Bohling Design

Gretchen Bohling is a graduate of The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago with her BFA in Fashion Design. Her fashion brand, Gretchen Bohling Design, launched in 2016 with a mission to provide the highest quality sustainably handmade wardrobe. Gretchen's brand works hard to educate her clients on how to maintain an ethical wardrobe through the several different services she provides at her downtown Des Moines atelier. GBD offers a size-inclusive private label collection of handmade-to-order garments, one of a kind bespoke garments, custom tailoring and alterations services, and hosts private sewing lessons. Gretchen is adjunct Professor at Des Moines Area Community College where she recently partnered with her students and faculty to make and donate masks to local healthcare employees and essential workers.

Website: gretchenbohling.com

Instagram: @gretchenbohling

Facebook: Gretchen Bohling Design - GBD

Pinterest: Gretchen Bohling Design