It is human nature to make. It is in all of us. We create in different ways, but the resulting objects have the potential to unite us. At Creative Exchange Studio we design what we make with a purpose - a goal of who and how it will be used.

My life has been very nomadic. From Wisconsin, to Guatemala, to Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Minnesota, and now California, I deeply miss the people from each home that became like family. My first socially engaged project came from my own desire to stay connected to the people I love who are spread around the world. In Symbolic Connections I made five matching mugs, giving four to my Guatemalan family. Every time we take a sip from them we think of each other and it reminds us to take a moment to check in.

Maybe because I’ve moved so much I feel “history-less” if I am not surrounded by objects from my ancestors and continue their traditions. The first recipe I designed a serving dish for was my grandmothers blueberry-go-round. Every Christmas morning my grandma would bake a blueberry coffee cake, and although everyone enjoyed it, I knew she made it for me because it was my favorite. Years later I am now the keeper of the tradition and continue to bake it for the family every Christmas morning. In Nourishing Connections I designed for other people’s most meaningful recipes. I invite you to reflect on your own history and traditions, bring that to the studio, and design with a purpose - to honor and memorialize your family rituals.

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Lauren Karle
Community Engaged Arts Educator