Heart for the Arts Reflects Core Values: Part III

Earlier we shared how The Midas Center is passionate about "taking green mainstream" as one of our core values. The articles titled, Office Decor Reflects Core Values: Part I and The Midas Center: Taking Green Mainstream Part II both illustrate our innovative attempts to proactively live out our core values in the office.

Another passion that ignites The Midas Center team is the love for the arts. Sharing office space within a magnificent up-and-coming art gallery makes every day a new and enlightening experience. Since last October when the inSPIRATIVE art center and The Midas Center opened its doors, there have been several talented visual and performing artists that have been showcased.

This week the inSPIRATIVE art center is preparing another stellar art opening event titled, "susPENded." Today, as we walked into our offices at 100 West Garro Street in downtown Plymouth, we were so fortunate to have a sneak peak of this exhibit. We are reminded of how blessed we are to have the opportunity to be located within such creative talent, the synergy of creativity is heating up! This Friday's event will bring on the heat without a doubt.

The love for the arts is another mainstay for our core values and we are proud to promote the works of artists other creative organizations who showcase creative individuals. We invite you to explore the creative spirit and endeavors that The Midas Center supports. We "heart" the following creative groups, individuals or programs:

- Chairs for Charity, 2009 Culver Tri Kappa fundraiser
- The Gallery on Main
- Heartland Artists
- The Hanggup
- Imaginary Art School
- inSPIRATIVE art center

We encourage you to support the arts in your community. If you are available this Friday, March 12th, stop by at inSPIRATIVE art center for the opening event, titled, "susPENded." Doors open at 7 and there is live music and wine service available.

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The Arts, Growing in the Center of Downtown of Plymouth, Indiana

Last Friday, October 9th marked an evening of mingling with a downtown block chocked full of people. Over 400 people attended the collection of open houses hosted by some of the thriving organizations and businesses located near the corner of Plymouth's main street, Michigan Street and Garro Street.

New to the block is an up and coming art gallery. For the past few weeks, the store front windows have been covered with white paper that read, “Are You IN? Opening October 9th.” And, according to the droves of people who attended this gallery's opening, it is safe to say that many people here in Plymouth, Indiana are indeed “IN.”

This art gallery removed the paper covering its large windows facing Michigan Street to unveil its new identity to the public during this inaugural reception. The name for this gallery is inSPIRATIVE and it is as unique as the style of work that is showcased and performed in this new venue. inSPIRATIVE will present exhibits from visual- and performing artists.

Gallery director and owner, Angela Leed has had a vision for a growing art community for the past several years. Two years ago, while finishing her graduate study at Bowling Green State University, Angela was driven to return to her hometown area to develop her dream. She moved back to the area with her husband and two daughters and immediately began embarking on her new adventure. Husband Mark Leed has been instrumental in helping her vision come into reality with not only his investment management services but his spousal support.

As a college instructor at both Bethel College and IUSB, Angela wanted to reach out to creative minds of all ages. In the fall of 2008, she started on a new venture and launched Imaginary Art School. Located in one of the upstairs studios at 203 N. Michigan, she has been leading art classes for children ages 5 – 12. Fall classes are currently being offered and her students had an opportunity to share some of their masterpieces during this past Friday night of open houses.

The main artist showcased in the inSPIRATIVE's gallery was Joshua Hozey. His colorful acrylics filled the exposed bricks in this new art space with pictures detailing imaginative stories and expressions all framed and still for the guests to enjoy and purchase like hot cakes.

In addition to the Imaginary Art School's and Josh's exhibits were some of Angela's nationally recognized works of art. Engaging at first glance, examine the story behind the works of art and your appreciation and interest instantly spikes. For many years Angela worked in manufacturing plants of northern Indiana and became fascinated with the conflict between mass production and humanity. As she matured and developed as an artist, she wanted to capture this conflict within her artwork. The process is far from simple as she builds sculptural still lifes from industrial materials, such as wiring, construction fencing or black tire scraps and then uses them as reference for her pastel on paper work. Her creative approach to these hard manmade materials results in a soft, elegant, breathtaking perspective. The movement and color are organic and free flowing and encompass the softness and elegance of humanity.

These works have traveled to New York City, Chicago. Angela's most recent work will be on display at the Midwest Museum of Art, Elkhart, 31st Elkhart Juried Regional Exhibition, Nov. 6 – Jan 3.

Angela has received honors such as the distinguish Medici Circle Leadership award, The Leila Gardin Sawyer Award, The Pastel Artists of Hawaii Award, amongst many others.

As the inSPIRATIVE continues to open its doors to inspire and share the arts from the center of downtown of Plymouth, the community can enjoy the synergy built from its neighboring creative organizations and businesses.

The cornerstone of this growing art phenomenon stands the Heartland Artists. This non-for-profit organization hosted its 21st Annual Juried Heartland Artists Regional Art Exhibit during the evening hours last Friday. The Sisters' Tea Eatery extended their hours to invite guests to an herbal tea and scone tasting. Another existing business, the Herb Store opened its doors to welcome guests to their newly expanded store. A new business, The Midas Center opened its doors for the first time in Plymouth. The Midas Center is a full service communications agency relocated from Chicago. Guests were encouraged to interact from one entry area to another, enjoying the live music by Jim Valez and food and beverages provided by all the open house hosts.

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"The eighties called, they want their logo back"

Do people make these comments about your business in the market place? Maybe you haven't heard them say it out loud, but perhaps you know what they are thinking. If your business practices were cool back when the Bee Gees went plantium with their highest sales of 8 track cassettes, then maybe it is time for you to take notes. If you want to succeed into the next decade, let's stop blaming the economy and position your business for the current times. Buyers and decision makers have changed the way they communicate, buy and make decisions. The Midas Center understands the current marketplace, its trends and habits and we want to recommend two quick tips for you to do this week so you can go from being so last year to "IN" by this Friday!

1. Get Linked In.
Out with the big bulky Rolodex, in with the online social networking tools. LinkedIn is an online service that allows business-minded professionals a piece of the online presence pie. Consider this a mySpace or Facebook utility for professionals only. It is easy to register and there is no fee to use this online networking service. LinkedIn allows you to connect or "link" to the business world. You may provide resume-like information about your current business as well as your past experience and education. LinkedIn reconnects you with colleagues, classmates and friends. Below is a quick overview on how LinkedIn can help you turn your vision into results.


2. Grow Your Networth with Your Network.
If your current networking activities bore you, then you are probably boring everyone around you too. Do you think already you know everyone there is to know and have little, to no interest meeting new professionals? When you meet someone new, do you instantly classify him or her into one of two columns, a potential client or useless? If your networking activities are as dull as your spreadsheets and data bases, then it is time for you to readjust your outlook on networking. Look for one event this week that interests you personally and make plans to attend. For example, if you enjoy the arts, you may be interested in attending Plymouth's art galleries, both hosting open house receptions this Friday, October 9th at 6 p.m. It just so happens that one of the art galleries is called, "IN." For more information, you may visit them online here >> in Gallery. They happen to be one of our clients, so our apologies for the shameless plug. It is what we do though, look for ways to build awareness for our clients!

Moving onward... By attending an event that might not be riddled with business networking labels, you open the door to a new outlet of mixing with like-minded individuals. You will find more opportunities where people may have left their salesmen repellent spray back at the office. Instead of networking to build business, increase your possible leads, make plans to go to places where you will enjoy your life and meet other interesting people. This is the true value of networking. Increase your personal networth by reaching out to more worthy networking events.

How are your buiness practices stacking up? The Midas Center Can Help You

There you have it, two quick tips to update your business. You can have the best product or service but without some marketing savvy that communicates with the today's language and tools, all you have is products and services. The Midas Center urges you to put some marketing muscle behind you and turn your vision into results.

We hope you will take these two easy steps towards success. And, we'd love to invite you to stop by this Friday at our new office open house. We have a wealth of resources, ideas, solutions, tools, tips and just friendly handshakes to share. Oh, we'll also have some cake and Golden Midas Punch to serve. The Midas Center, 203 N. Michigan St, downtown Plymouth; Friday, October 9th at 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your colleagues and your business cards, it's time to enjoy networking. Get linked. Be in.

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Not To Be Missed Evening of Open Houses - Downtown Plymouth

What do you get when you mix two art galleries, a communications agency, an herb store, a tea eatery and dance studio each hosting an open house on the same evening on the same block in downtown Plymouth? Add a few friends, maybe a date with your significant other and you've got yourself a perfect excuse to go out for the evening. On Friday, October 9th from 6 – 8:00 p.m., doors will be open to the public for an evening of open house receptions. Some of the doors, like the IN Gallery and The Midas Center will be opening for the first time.

If you have not visited this up-and-coming hot-spot located in the heart of downtown Plymouth, this is the perfect opportunity for you to see what all the hubbub is about.

Driving on Michigan Street in Plymouth, you may have noticed a window front covered with white paper near the corner of Michigan and Garro Street. Up close the window covering reads, “Are you in? Opening October 9th.” And, indeed the doors will be opening to welcome the public “in” to the grand opening of the IN Gallery and Studios Art Center. The gallery's grand opening will include an opening reception including refreshments, music and works by artist Josh Hozey. Hozey will be the first of several artists to exhibit at the IN Gallery and Studios. Gallery Director, Angela Leed is eager to bring visual and performing artists from all walks of life together. She shares, “We intend to create an on-going environment of support for artists of any age or experience while offering enlightenment and enrichment to the community.” Leed also is the owner of Imaginary Art School, located on the premises, upstairs next to the artists' studios.

Another organization opening its doors in this downtown location is The Midas Center, a full service communications agency. Relocating from Chicago, The Midas Center offers award-winning marketing, advertising, social media and design services to businesses in Plymouth and the surrounding Michiana area. Business leaders, colleagues and friends are encouraged to explore, mingle, network and learn more about The Midas Center and its range of services. Owner Andrea Cook intends to help empower the business community and will be presenting a free workshop on October 13th titled, “Website Basics.” This workshop is the first of a series of several upcoming brown bag lunch seminars. Future topics will include Social Media, Google, Branding and more. Registration for this workshop will be available during the open house reception on October 9th.


The IN Gallery and The Midas Center are adjacent to an eclectic collection of other businesses and organizations that are emerging. This marks the third year since the Heartland Artists have moved to the gallery space at 203 Michigan Street. Heartland Artists are a non-for-profit group dedicated to promoting visual art forms for Marshall County and the surrounding areas. Homemade goodies prepared by the members will be provided along with the selected works of art for the 21st Annual Juried Heartland Artists Regional Art Exhibit.

Just down the corridor, the Sisters' Tea Eatery will be extending their hours to welcome visitors for an evening of herbal tea tastings. Sisters' Tea Eatery is a charming contemporary tea room and restaurant featuring classic home cooking with a touch of gourmet. The owners, Donna Wenzel and Linda DeVault are sisters and their mission is to provide an environment for people to come for friendship and sustenance of body and soul.

The Herb Store has recently expanded and will also be extending their hours to welcome the public for an open house reception. Doors will be open at two of the Garro Street entrances and through the property's entrance at 203 North Michigan Street. More information about a new dance studio soon to be opening in this downtown area will be available during this evening of open houses.

This is a community event. Please help support these local businesses and organizations by showing your support and encouragement. Come and enjoy the refreshments and see what downtown Plymouth has to offer.

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