Hi, my name is Mary Mendla, I am an artist and art instructor with over twenty-five years’ experience creating art and teaching others the joy of accessing and expressing their creativity.  Sharing my expertise and art journey is my passion.  The fullness of my art journey in art instruction, mixed media painting, fiber art, and business has created a rewarding life for me in the arts.  I wish to expand my reach by sharing this with others throughout the world through the power of the internet.  I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in Painting and Fiber Art.  Many opportunities for sharing my gifts through teaching at Universities, Art Centers, and Museums have allowed me to live my passion and share this joy with others. 

It is time to reach further.

Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla will allow me to connect with students and art enthusiasts around the world through the internet, and not be limited to only those that I can work with in person.  Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla will involve the creation of online, interactive workshops in mixed media painting and fiber art, from beginner level to advanced, with private Facebook pages for each class to share work and receive feedback.  Two interactive online workshops have been created so far and are ready to be promoted soon.  

Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla will also offer a membership platform to create an online, participatory community for its members which will evolve and grow with each members’ contributions.  My goal is to see it become an active, supportive, engaging platform for members to progress on their creative journeys in community with others.  My tiered  membership plan, Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla , will offer many benefits and create a community for artists, art professionals, and art lovers.

You can help to make this a success, and help it to happen NOW, rather than later.  It is an important time in our history to add positivity to our world.  Helping a person access and trust the beauty of their inner self through creativity not only illuminates that person’s life, but it shares light with everyone they touch. 

It is time NOW!

Online classes and interactive workshops with Mary Mendla in mixed media painting and fiber art will:

• Provide options for beginner to advanced students
• Open the doors to new techniques, new media, and new forms of expression to expand the horizons of students’ creative journeys 
• Provide access to private Facebook pages for each class to allow sharing of artwork for feedback in a supportive atmosphere, and create community among all participants
• Include discounts on a paid membership in Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla  as well as future classes by Mary Mendla

A Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla membership will offer:

• A private members’ only social network page
• Monthly Video Demonstrations of art techniques in mixed media painting and fiber art with members’ only detailed instructions
• Monthly artist talks with artists in various media and art professionals in "Conversations with Artists" presentations
• "Ask Me About It” sessions posted monthly to answer members’ questions about mixed media and fiber art techniques, supplies, studio set up, safety, etc.
• Art Challenges created and led by members to keep participants working regularly in their medium while pushing their limits in new directions
• Topic Groups created and led by members for discussion on topics of interest
• Private one on one Critiques of member's artworks
• Opportunities for Members to Promote their own events and artwork
• Discounts on classes, artwork, and art merchandise

WHAT I NEED AND WHAT YOU GET

This is an important time for these things to happen.  Our world needs this, now.  I am asking for your financial help to get this started, NOW.  Your contribution will help towards my goal of $3000 to cover startup expenses for:

• Professional video production, $1,000 est.
• WIFI access, $685 annually
• Web hosting through podia.com, $720 annually
• Equipment for quality video demos and Zoom productions – webcam, microphones, lighting, $350
• Marketing, $250 est.

Any contribution will help toward these goals.  I plan to push ahead with these plans regardless of the amount received through this campaign.  Your contribution will help me to move forward more quickly to create a success for Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla and its members.

I WISH TO INCLUDE YOU IN THE BENEFITS OF THIS PLAN WITH THESE PERKS

$25 contribution

Perks:

• Five  Mary Mendla Fine Art Greeting Cards ($30 value)
• Inclusion in an "Explorer" membership in Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla  (membership is free but includes discounts of over $100)

$50 contribution

Perks:

• Five Mary Mendla Fine Art Greeting Cards ($30 value)
• 25% discount in a "Voyager" membership in Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla for one year ($115 value plus membership benefits of over $400 on additional discounts) 

$100 contribution

Perks:

• A membership in the "Voyager" level of Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla for one year. ($153 value plus membership benefits of over $400 for discounts on workshops, services and artwork) 

$150 contribution

Perks:

• A membership in the "Voyager" level of Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla for one year. (valued at $153 plus membership benefits of over $400 for discounts on workshops, services, and artwork)
• A set of six Fine Art Greeting Cards by Mary Mendla ($36 value)

Patron Level    

$250 contribution

Perks:

• An original mixed media painting or fiber art piece  (5x7" or 6x6") ($155 value) 
• A membership in the  "Voyager" level of Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla  for one year. (Valued at $153 plus membership benefits of over $400 for additional discounts on workshops, services and artwork)

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

• Share this campaign with your network, spread the word
• Join the Creative Journeys with Mary Mendla membership group and get involved (the first level, Base Camp, is free, but offers good perks)