Marion, Indiana is a city full of rich history. Once a blossoming city capitalizing on the natural gas boom of the late 1800s, Marion is now a small town that (like many midwestern towns of similar size) has seen the worst ramifications of the economic downturn. It is also a city that is largely remembered for the heinous acts of racial violence throughout the 19th and 20th century.
In 2016, a group of 17 individuals (myself included) founded a non-profit design studio in the heart of Marion. Our mission was to revive, empower, and propel community forward by creating sustainable design solutions developed through education and collaboration with local students and community. We focused on creating a space for people to tell their stories, contribute their ideas, and work together to build something new for the city. I was asked to fill the role of Design Researcher and reported to our creative director, Herb Vincent Peterson.