Kickstarter

Dear Friends and Family,

I thought that I would send you, my community of supporters, an update about my career success that has occurred in the last several months. All of the accomplishments I have made has been a result of a foundation partially created through your support. I am, of course, still extremely grateful for what you have given me. Knowing that you all are behind me helps me to move forward.

After my successful solo show, Delineations, at the beginning of the year in Ohio, I returned to New York to rest, work, and build a new foundation for my post graduate career. I have been waitressing at a little restaurant in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn as well as catering to pay rent and make ends meet. When I am not working to pay the bills, I have been researching and applying for every opportunity I can get my hands on, mainly grants and residencies. I have had positive results. In December, I received a grant from the Charles Mayer Foundation;  March I received a grant from the Puffin Foundation. My thesis project (the one YOU helped fund) was published multiple times. Here is a link to my website and CV if you are interested in seeing where the project was published: http://meganmosholder.com/CV look under "Press."

As summer rapidly approaches, I am preparing for my next artist adventures. As of right now, I have been accepted to three residencies: The Wassaic Project in upstate New York for four months July 1st; the Vermont Studio Center November 1st; and CAMAC Centre d'Art March in France 2014. Each residency has given me small grants/fellowships to help offset the cost of working and living there. But my work associated with these opportunities is not over yet. Because I have only received partial funding I have been diligently researching and applying for more grants with the knowledge that I will find the money to move my career forward.

But wait, there's more! I am also writing multiple proposals for installation opportunities on the east coast: one in Hilton Head, another at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and finally, at the Sculpture Center in New York. I am working out the details within these proposals to afford to build the installation and also pay myself. All this work will enable me to afford the residency opportunities, places that will give me the time and space to create a new body of work but also the networking opportunities necessary for more shows and the eventual gallery representation. And that is why the theme for the month of May is "Manifestation." I am diligently working towards manifesting my goals to become a professional artist and I am having positive results.

And so, dear family and friends, I write to you to remind you that I have not forgotten what you have given me and ask you not to hesitate in contacting me with questions and comments about how I have utilized your monies. I hope this letter finds you all well. Please stay in touch and thank you once again.

Yours truly,

Megan C Mosholder

Dear Friends and Family,

I apologize for being incognito these past several weeks. The thesis show was a success (please refer to my website for images meganmosholder.com) but it took most of my energy to make it so. I was fortunate enough to have the help of my mom and dad, who tied string, helped me to build a screen for an exterior video, etc. and brought food and drinks to me and other helpful friends on the installation site. After the show was complete, I traveled to Atlanta with my parents and immediately began the final touches on my thesis document while waiting out Hurricane Sandy. A week later, I returned to New York, completed the thesis document and submitted it November 15th. It was approved the next day. I also passed my two final courses and received the notification of my degree requirements being met. I have graduated!

I want to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your financial contribution. All of my kickstarter money was spent on this project. I absolutely, without a doubt, could not have created or completed this work without your help. I am so lucky to have so many friends and family who love and support me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I would also like to thank all of you for your continued patience waiting for your kickstarter rewards. I have every intention on making good on my promises for photos, paintings and books. However, it has taken me a little longer than expected. I am unfortunately in a financial bind right now. My rent in New York is $1200 (apartment + studio). I have also been working towards my first solo show opportunity. The opening is Thursday, January 3rd at The Ohio Art League Gallery 1552 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43201 614.299.8225. I would love to see you all there if you are free! And although this show is a wonderful opportunity, it has also cost more time and money.

With that said, I ask that you please send me your addresses so that I may send you your rewards within the next few months. Please know that I will get them to you as soon as I possibly can.

Thank you again so much for your help and I hope to see you January 3rd.

Megan Mosholder

Hello!

Just a quick note to let all of you know where I am in this project.  I am currently in Savannah with a week to go before the show date.  I have been working diligently to build the wood supports for the string and installation begins on October 23rd.  I have also been writing my thesis in the process.  My work days have involved getting up in the morning to write and spending afternoons and evenings building, painting and stretching.  I am confident that this will be a successful show.

I wanted to also take the opportunity to thank all of you again for supporting me.  I could not, without a doubt, have done this without all of your help through the kickstarter.  I spent over $400 at home depot alone on wood, screws and paint. Every time I have had to buy something, whether it be the $200 I spent on 16 black lights or the $100 I spent on 140 paper lanterns, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have received the financial support from my friends and family.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Finally, I hope to post multiple images of the installation process so that you, my backers, can see how the installation is going.  For example, I will be hosting a "screwing party" tomorrow evening with friends to help me to install the 2600 screw eyes that will allow the string in the installation to be tied off on.  Once again, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have such a supportive community of friends and family.

I hope this post finds you all well; thank you again for your continued support!

Megan Mosholder

Dear Friends and Family,

I am so grateful to all of you for all your love and support.  Because of you, I will be able to successfully install my MFA thesis show.  I will be posting images and hopefully, a video of the installation in November.  I will aslo be working diligently to getting your rewards out to you as soon as possible.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, I cannot thank you all enough.  More to come...

Megan Mosholder

Hello!

Thank you all of you who have contributed to my project so far.  I greatly appreciate everything that you are giving me.  I know this is not simply monetary support and that all of you are behind me, cheering me on as I approach the graduate school finish line.

A few updates: right now I have 10 backers and have met $380 of my goal of $2000.  With only 17 days left to go, I am really reaching out to everyone for help.  Without these funds I am going to have to cut a piece out of the show, most likely the glow-in-the-dark interactive piece because the paint is so expensive.  If you can, please share my kickstarter project with anyone who you might think would be interested in donating.  I cannot do this without your help!

That said, I intend to be more proactive with my updates and posts.  I will begin telling the story of how the show is developing as we move closer to the presentation date of October 26th.  For instance, I have compiled a materials list (see below) of all the items needed to make the installation a reality.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments and I will gladly answer them.

Thank you, thank you, thank you again for being there for me in this process.

Megan Mosholder

(2) Gallons glow in the dark paint @ $550/gallon = $1100
(2) Gallons primer @ $21/gallon = $42
(2) Gallons black paint @ $27/gallon = $54
(100) Top Choice 2 x 4 x 8 #2 Prime Treated Lumber @ $4/board = $400
(40) Lehigh #18 x 800’ Twisted Nylon Mason Line @ $8/spool = $320
(26) Charlotte Pipe ¾-in x 10-ft 480 PSI PVC Pressure Pipe @ $2/pipe = $52
(13) cans black spray paint @ $8/can = $104
(156) blue concrete screws @ $1/screw = $156
(4) boxes wood screws @ $6/box = $24
(4) 3-in Wall Synthetic Paint Brush @ $4/brush = $16
(8) 40-pack Screw Eyes Hooks @ $4/pack = $32
(8) Scripto Aim-N-Flame II XL Wind-Resistant Starter Lighter @ $5/lighter = $40
Allen and Roth 4-Pack Oil-Rubbed Solar-Power LED Path Lights = $50
(10) String of Paper Lantern Lights 12 white LED @ $5/lantern = $50
12=ft x 9-ft 8oz Canvas Drop Cloth @ $22/cloth = $88
Rental fee for SVGA (800x600) 2500 Lumens RGB and Component cable input = $130
Venue Rental Fee = $500

TOTAL: $3158