Welcome To The Mend Project

Mend is a non-profit educational arts organization, located in Boise, Idaho USA. As an organization, we are interested in exploring the potential of handmade objects. Through our projects, we hope to expand awareness of the importance of craft, improve quality of life for those in need and provide an organized opportunity to give back.

Donate Now!

Since early 2008, The Mend Project has hosted three donation projects, published a book, taught numerous outreach classes and workshops and given to hundreds of people in need. The project has united craft artists from across the globe and begun to educate communities of the importance of craft.

In early fall, The Mend Project will open a studio/ gallery. This new space will be home to ongoing donation projects, community classes and lectures. The many success of the project, is due to the generosity of businesses and individuals nationwide.

We understand the demands made on your generosity each year, and we know you must make charitable gifts selectively. Your donation allows The Mend Project to continue its efforts in, expanding awareness of the importance of craft, improving quality of life for those in need and providing an organized opportunity to give back.

Make your tax deductible donation to The Mend Project today!

Spectacled Deadline Extended!

Hello again, I just wanted to let everyone know the deadline for “Spectacled” has been extended to June 15th 2009. Interested artists please send work to:

The Mend Project

P.O. Box 7103

Boise, Idaho 83707.

As a reminder, the work donated, will be a part of the “Spectacled” group show, a published book and a proceeds will benefit people living across the globe (participants of Unite For Sight). Also, if you have any extra eyeglasses laying around, we are excepting used eyeglasses… They too will be a part of our donation to Unite For Sight.

This project is really exciting for us at the Mend Project, because it will be our first international donation.  It too is the another step towards introducing unconventional, high craft to the public. Through both the exhibition and the published book we hope to raise an awareness of the millions of people living across the globe who are needlessly blind, wile too expanding an appreciation of craft. We also see these opportunities as a way to honor the artists participating in the donation project.

So, be a part of global change wile being creative.

The Current Project!

If you are interested in donating used eye glasses please send to…

P.O. Box 7103

Boise, Idaho 83707

Or if you live in Idaho, we will have drop off locations across the state. So far you can drop off in Boise at the following places: Trey McIntyre Project, The Modern Hotel, Visual Arts Collective, and The Flying M coffee house and coffee garage.

Something Good Just Got Better In Boise, Idaho.

Where ever you live, you should know about your local Arts Commission. They are a great resource for whats going on in your community such as, upcoming grants and scholarship opportunities, artists in resident programs, and community art events.

Boise, Idaho Arts & History Commission:

The Department of Arts and History was established by City Ordinance in March 2008 to enhance the Boise community by providing leadership, advocacy, education, services, and support for arts and history. The new Department emerged from the former Boise City Arts Commission, which was established by City Ordinance in 1978 as a nonprofit city agency to advise and assist the City Council in development, coordination, promotion and support of the arts.

THE VISION

The City’s arts, culture, and history are integral parts of our everyday experience and a vivid expression of our diversity, depth, and dreams.

THE MISSION

To enhance Boise’s community by providing leadership, advocacy, education, services, and support for arts and history.

For info about Boise’s Art Commission visit:

http://www.cityofboise.org/CityGovernment/ArtsandHistory/index.aspx

or

http://www.experienceboise.org/ (Their event listing page)

Other Commissions or Councils:

http://www.arts.idaho.gov/

http://www.oregonartscommission.org/main.php

http://www.arts.wa.gov/

http://www.cac.ca.gov/

Things To Inspire Your Spectacled Mind

If you want to join the current project but don’t quite know where to start, I suggest checking out the following…You might find some inspiration.

Start by checking out Scott Urban’s work from: http://www.urbanspectacles.com/. He is making fully functional eye wear out of carved wood, vinyl records and old beer bottles.

http://www.antiquespectacles.com/ Is also worth checking out. Dr. David, the sight admin, has a diverse collection of contemporary and historical eyeglasses, along with interesting essays.

Also, Here is a list of books worth checking out:

Collectible Eyeglasses (Collectibles) by Frederique Crestin-Billet

Eyeglasses (Chic Simple): Face to Face (Chic Simple Component Series) by Michael Solomon

Fashions in Eyeglasses by Richard Corson and Illustrated

Eyeglasses (Household History Series) by Margaret J. Goldstein

Medieval and Renaissance Eyeglasses: Their History and Construction By Einar Lutemaker

March 2009 Fundraiser

The Mend Project is throwing a party!

Live music all night long at the Visual Arts Collective, March 5th & 6th.

Thanks to Idaho Metal Arts Guild

At the IMAG meeting on Jan. 19th, 2009

We would like to extend a huge thanks to the Idaho Metal Arts Guild (IMAG) for allowing The Mend Project to host their first meeting of the year! It was a really fun opportunity for us to chat with the members of IMAG about our next project, Spectacled. The upstairs portion of The Linen Building was the perfect location for our meeting, there were 13 guests and the treats from Big City Coffeehouse were fantastic. It was great to have a chance to sit down with another nonprofit that has similar future plans, in terms of education and inspiration, as The Mend Project. We truly look forward to our future encounters with IMAG and sincerely hope that we can provide support as both of our organizations grow.

After the meeting Jan. 19th, 2009

Our Next Project

Craft Sales Are Still Up!

To make you all feel much better about current economic times, and of course new ways of justifying expensive tools and such, check out this article from the New York Times.

“On Sept. 29, a day the stock market plunged sharply, Etsy, the leading Web marketplace for handmade goods, had record sales. In November and December, the site has continued to break records. Last month, artists sold $10.8 million of goods on Etsy, up from $4.2 million in November 2007. Some 135,000 people signed up for Etsy memberships and sellers listed 1.1 million new items, both figures more than double the same month last year. ” – The New York Times (For Craft Sales, the Recession Is a Help )

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/business/23craft.html?_r=2&pagewanted=2&emc=eta1

So keep up all the hard work, it will pay off.