This past Friday marked the announcement of Field + Foundry, a series of dinners based around the desire to gather and connect creatives, makers, and do-ers in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. Laicie Heeley and I have teamed up with Bing to host three dinners over the course of this summer and fall. The first takes place this coming Saturday in Virginia (at the farm -- terribly excited to share my favorite corner of the world!) and will be followed by dinners in Baltimore and D.C. in September and October, respectively.
When I returned to Virginia after college, there was always something missing. While I couldn't necessarily identify it at the time, it was after being around it elsewhere that I came to understand what was lacking -- cohesive a community of creatives. (Oh, NYC you have spoiled me so when it comes to this!) While the greater DC area is rife with talented people making and engaging in *so* many areas, it often feels as if everyone is doing so in his/her respective silo. While there is a loose community that exists in small clusters online, it's largely only that and through the tenuous guises of these interwebs. This even speaks to how I first connected with Laicie -- online and then, by virtue of both attending Alt Summit, in person (because you go to Utah to meeting your DC area neighbors :) ). At Alt we discussed the lack of community and a short time thereafter Laicie approached me with an idea to kick things into action. With Field + Foundry, we want to take people offline and gather them at the table for the opportunity to develop long, meaningful creative relationships and collaboration. Added bonus: amazing food and the best. damn. pies (I swan dive off of the gluten-free wagon for these).
If you're a creative (and this term is quite broad -- don't limit yourself just on account of not being a painter or designer -- heck, I can't draw a stick figure to save my life) based in Virginia, Maryland, or DC, head on over to the Field + Foundry website to sign-up to join us on this awesome adventure.
