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Organization <br />Description <br />Calico Makers is a new 501-c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to <br />provide an outlet to promote art through community engagement. It started <br />as an idea to bring artists and the community together in a safe way at the <br />beginning of 2021. Originally presented by Calico Studio, the Calico <br />Makers Market is now about to celebrate its tenth biannual event. In 2024, <br />Calico Makers was formed to take over the market and expand <br />engagement via additional opportunities. Our goals for the future include <br />launching an emerging artist program, sponsoring arts classes onsite and <br />further expanding our participatory offerings at the market. W e believe that <br />art belongs to everyone, and exposure is the gateway to building a diverse <br />and vibrant community. <br />W hile still in the early stages of our development, Calico Makers strives to <br />meet our mission through our market, which is free, open to everyone and <br />publicized throughout Orange County. The Calico Makers Market features <br />local artisans and food trucks. At each event we have a free art tent where <br />we offer two hands-on activities for people to try. Overseen by <br />professional artists and volunteers, this aspect of the market is always <br />very popular. Both children and adults enjoy having their own creations to <br />take home. Some examples of past activities are making clay pinch pots, <br />haunted houses from scrap materials, bugs from geometric shapes, <br />Egyptian jewelry and splatter paintings. In addition to visual arts, we have <br />hosted performances from local musicians such as: Rhonda Robichaux, <br />Reese McHenry, Rooster Logic, Joel Keel and more.This Grassroots <br />Grant will help us increase our capacity to present workshops and <br />performances to engage attendees in the performing arts as well. <br />Our board consists of five members. Heather W ashburn is a licensed <br />architect, visual artist, small business owner, gardener and visionary. It is <br />her dream to increase access to art to everyone in her community-at-large. <br />She not only wants people to witness art but also to experience it first-hand <br />through doing. Ric Harber is a leatherworker who has been involved with <br />the market since its inception, vending at each event and offering feedback <br />and advice throughout the growing process. He was a mentor in the former <br />emerging artist partnership program between Calico Studio and Chatham <br />Artists Guild. Katherine Occhipinti has a Master of Social W ork and <br />experience working for nonprofits and in event management. As a former <br />employee of Calico Studio and a long-time friend of Heather’s, she also <br />has a deep understanding of the goals for Calico Makers. Roberta <br />Marasca is an artist and member of the Orange County Artists Guild. She <br />was also Heather’s mentor and brings big picture skills and a solid <br />understanding of markets and marketing. Roberta has vended at the market <br />since its onset. Greg Bell has a long history of working with local <br />organizations and has expertise in orchestrating outdoor festivals. His <br />knowledge was instrumental in making the first market happen and has <br />been a guiding resource in the formulation of the nonprofit and our plans for <br />it. <br />How many Orange <br />County residents <br />does the organization <br />serve? <br />Approximately 1100 Orange County residents attend our markets each <br />year. W ith better publicity and more exciting artists this grant will provide, <br />we aim to increase that number by at least 25% by June 2026. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 8E18F119-7211-4F24-B38C-ACD7E96F6DC4