Pat Coyle Post about smaller Indiana 6/26/08 Open House Soiree

[Amy Stark]

SI Open House attracts owners, artists, entrepreneurs and more...
Posted by Pat Coyle on June 28, 2008 at 9:00am

Great events attract cool people...and the SI open house was no exception...among others...


I met a semi-retired business turnaround specialist who may be able to help me grow my own little enterprise.

I met a new Smoosier, just arrived from Minnesota, who's here to work on a voice recognition software product.

I met a young woman who just lost here job in a downsizing and finds herself looking for a job for the first time in 7 years.

...but the most exciting parts of the evening (for me) had less to do with business and more to do with art and culture.

I met Patrick Mack, a sculptor from Indy. I learned about how he makes a living as an artist, and encouraged him to give us a glimpse into his world via his SI blog.

Paul Reinken, who writes an incredible music blog even as he's preparing to go to medical school. We talked about ways to bring the Indiana music scene to life in SI...not just the listings of concert, but through participation by the musicians themselves. BTW - I needed music for the party so I sent out a call to SI for help. I had never met Paul before, but he arrived with an iPod with special "Smaller Indiana" ready to go. That was awesome!

Andrew Ball, another sculptor who is working in bronze - and also working to pull together an art exhibit, Elegant Funk. This event is being planned by Smaller Indiana artists who first met via SI, and now are making beautiful things happen IRL. (BTW - Elegant Funk needs help from sponsors to cover its expenses...I wonder if we could take up a collection from SI members). I didn't get to speak with Andrew for very long, however, as he had two other Smaller Indiana inspired events to attend that evening.

I also met Lalita Amos. I don't even know yet what she does for a living, but she and I are already in the early stages of planning a new kind of awards celebration...we're calling it 40 OVER 40. It will celebrate achievements in community, commerce and culture by people you many never have heard of before...Stay tuned.

Special thanks to Jean Hardwick. Edible Arts Catering 843-0966, who made the yummy tower of treats, Amy Stark, SI's viral marketing guru who pulled together ALL of the event logistics Matthew Theriault Thompson, our host and sponsor from the Intelligent Office, who worked very hard to accomodate this crazier than expected event, Shawn Quick-Raflik, who came bearing sandwiches from Pita Pit, and of course, Brandon Lot, who brought his infectious energy and his digital camera to capture stills and video from the event.

[Amy Stark]

3 Comments
Comment by Amy Stark 22 hours ago
You forgot to give yourself kudos, Pat. You had help putting the event together but you paid hard cash to make it happen, and you are--after all--member number #1. Without your initiative to begin this community, there would never have been a groovy soiree on Thursday, June 26, 2008. A day for the smaller Indiana history book.

I too had fascinating conversations with such a diverse intelligent group of Hoosiers. I am still a bit in awe of the brilliance exchanged during the soiree and earlier that day during Book Club, even if I did flush my sun-glasses down the toilet.

I like Bernard Munos' idea of charging $20 for the next Open House. I wonder if the rest of the smaller Indiana community would be willing to pay $20 for a similar event--every other month maybe? Just a thought.


Comment by Douglas Karr 19 hours ago
It was a great time, Pat! Amy did a spectacular job as well. Thanks for putting this on!

Comment by Kyle Lacy 15 hours ago
I had a great time at the Smaller Indiana party. Thanks to Pat and Doug for making this community a reality.