About three years ago, I reached out to some of the Plenipotentiaries of Mildred’s Lane* regarding the state of things for a slice of our close supporters and followers. We were entering deep Covid, I was having trouble with Pennsylvania Township Ordinances, and family loss and illness tragically weakened infrastructure, particularly the ongoing, demanding attention to maintenance of the living landscape. All of this contributed to a serious lack of funding for the greater project called Mildred’s Lane. I was ready to give up. There was no way to get around these obstacles, the only thing to do was to work through it!
I called for help, and the response was heartfelt; so many friends and colleagues expressed care, energy, and support for the future of Mildred’s Lane Inc. I realized that what was necessary for this difficult period was to pursue what I had so carefully avoided for too long – becoming a 501(c)3 organization. Why did I resist? Because we were still in a delicate, experimental phase of difference. Becoming an organization too prematurely might suffocate our platform of undetermined outcomes – honest emergence; that is what most institutions are unable to achieve.
The groundbreaking series of events (beginning back in the early nineties) was still brewing. We were able to investigate and analyze new forms of engagement, centered around creative domesticating in the middle of the woods with no constraints of judgment or fear. Our personal efforts were continually rewarded. We were able to wedge open deeper, innovative, visionary experiences in the arena of social engagement. Through these early projects, our young friends became emerging art stars of the 21st century.
During Covid years, mustering all wits, we started to address each hurdle toward a nonprofit status so that we can expand efforts to contribute our work to the greater cultural society; and to situate our project amongst an arena of small artist organizations becoming eligible for grant support and broader audiences. It took more strength and ingenuity than I was prepared for in an administrative and legal learning curve. But we did it. We are now a pending nonprofit organization. But we still need to grow our concerns toward change of all kinds*. (See histories and archives of our programs on our website.)
I could not have done this without the friends and colleagues who stepped up For Mildred’s Sake, and I would like to thank all the people who contributed to our renewal. You know who you are. Your help changed the course of Mildred’s Lane Inc; let me introduce a few core Plenipotentiaries here:
Executive Board
J. Morgan Puett, President
Adam B. Curtis, Secretary
Bianca Nelson, Treasurer
Advisory Council
Including the Mission & Program, Development, and Marketing Committees
