In 2025, PAR-Projects is excited to continue two of our recently launched educational programs: The...
We’ve all heard it before. And if I’m being honest, these are some of the heavier thoughts that come up from time to time. But as a leader and developer — often relied on by a growing number of creatives — I try to be mindful of when to ask and/or when to share the heavier stuff.
"Help wanted. Support Needed. Unprecedented times."
While ALL can be true — at least every once in a while — our individual situations are always a little different. And when each and every set of an organization’s pressing issues are boiled down, the essence of relatability seems to be what consistently rises to the top. For example: As things relate to PAR- Projects, if you’ve never enjoyed one of our exhibitions inside The Gallery at Studeō PAR- or hung out with the Open Source Cinema crew for a movie night at our new facility, I probably won’t feel as comfortable (as maybe I should) asking for your support in replacing one of the two furnaces we lost in 2025. It just is what it is.
Over the years I’ve found it much easier to maintain our growth — year over year — alongside the people who’ve given us enough of their time to actually understand “who” we are and “what” we’re all about. We are not a smoke-and-mirrors type of organization over here. The narrative I’ve personally dreamed up & reflected on, then vocalized in our formation documents, still rings true today. Sadly for some, we’re embarking on a mission which, as designed* will take many years to fully appreciate. Therefore, we will always struggle to hold on to the energy of those seeking to be associated with the flash-and-bang of our fast-paced society. It just is what it is.
To this day, some of our creative public still and SOLELY associate PAR-Projects with the mobile, shipping container art galleries & conversation spaces we launched in 2013. That’s where the hype was, at the time. And to that point, some hypebeasts and thrillseekers still have no idea we parked the containers to purchase our first 6,000 Sqft. property in 2015, then over tripled in size to over 21,000 Sqft., with our 2020 expansion.
More later:
I need to find a glass to “Cheers!” in the new year.
Pictured above:
Personal photo from Cincinnati’s Happy Zoo Year 2025
