Help LMN Wedge Studio Improve Our Space & Grow

We are LMN Wedge Studio & Gallery, a local Chicago art studio and event space offering creative play, technical art classes, and the magic of connecting with others. We are a nurturing and inspiring place with heart, at the heart of Wicker Park--and we want to stay here. We want to thrive, and we need immediate financial support.

These funds will be used to help us with several immediate essential and future-oriented costs:

1. Survival- This one is primary and urgent: We need to bridge a rent gap with building management, which happened this past year as we’ve been building our class and event offerings, and increasing our customer base. We did not get up to speed fast enough, we had a contract fall through that set us back, and we fell behind. We are confident we will be able to increase our profitability going forward. ***Update: We HAVE NOW RAISED the urgently-needed $4500 in order to cover a back-rent gap, and renew our lease, that will take us into spring 2026. Our new fundraising goal has been adjusted to account for this great news!***

We absolutely love our second-floor space right at the "tip" of the Flatiron Arts Building. It has amazing light, and great exposure to the Wicker Park Six Corner intersection. People who venture into our space universally remark on the wonderful "vibe", the refreshing atmosphere, and the eclectic, comfortable setting. We are not an impersonal, corporate operation, in fact, we stand in a loving way as a sort of colorful couterpoint to the plethora of corporate brick-and-mortars surrounding us, and we stand in solidarity with other small businesses in the area. We want to be that visible beacon in the commuity that brings folks in who need some art in their lives, or want to build community and improve their skills, or want us to host a remarkable and magical event for them. Our physical space is as important to that vision as anything. Not only that, but having to pack up and move out, starting over in another location would be a huge setback finanically, and energetically. We want to focus on what we do best- offering inspiring events and art to you, in our current space at 1579 N Milwaukee Ave, suite 206.

To be quite honest, telling you about this is more than humbling.

Still, we believe there is value in what we offer, as well as in our potential future offerings. We also believe that letting people know of our need could be key to meeting that need, even if it isn’t easy to ask for help.

***UPDATE: WE HAVE RAISED FUNDING ENOUGH TO SECURE OUR LEASE RENEWAL. HOORAY! WE HAVE A FEW MORE NEEDS TO FUND, and we need to secure some revenue-generating bookings and other opportunities to keep up with the monthly bills. We hope to raise a little more, and meanwhile, start hosting more classes, shows, and private events that will keep us going and growing. This is greta news!***

Now that we can make up this shortfall, and not have to continue to use most of our energy simply surviving, we can put our energy into growing and improving our programming, as well as welcoming a wider audience by adding variety. LMN Wedge has been steadily hosting more classes, music and art events that have increasingly brought guests in, such as:

We plan on offering more instances of the above classes, as well as adding diversity to our class and event offerings. One area where we'd like to begin expanding curriculum is in the contemplative, or mindfulness-based art realm. Laura has training and certification in a particular school of Buddhism-based contemplative art teaching, and combining that with guest teachers would allow LMN Wedge to bring some even more profound light to people who are interested in mindfulness, creativity, mental health, and community.

The following describe additional costs we'd like to raise funds to support, which will help us not just survive, but grow:

2. The Space- Improvements:

To remedy this, we’d like to convert part of the large bathroom footprint into storage, giving more space to our “backstage” area, so we can more efficiently store and use art supplies, food and beverage, and entertainment supplies, while trimming the bathroom to a more appropriate “powder room” format with new and efficient fixtures (toilet, sink, that's it). The estimates we got to do this renovation were for between $8-$12k. We are only trying to raise a portion of that through this fundraiser- so as not to ask too much of our supporters. Otherwise, we'd be asking for about $20k. We hope to raise more funds through benefit events, increased sales and event attendance over the next year, so that we can "break ground" possibly toward fall 2025. We hope to have a bathroom-warming party before the next winter holidays- ooh, Santa, get ready ;-)

Part of the fundraising goal would pay for materials and labor to improve our space, and make it more amenable to the comfort and efficiency we need to grow going forward.

3. Inclusion, and expansion of our customer base:

As we expand and improve our class and event offerings, we’d like to be able to offer some scholarships to people that might need it, such as those on limited incomes, public service and service industry workers, kids and students from around Chicagoland, and others with need. We are in this to benefit the world with art, community, and creativity, and we know there are vulnerable people who could really use some joy and hope right now. And how.

4. People Power:

We’d like to get a boost toward offering honorariums to quality teachers and event hosts and incoming gallery artists, and a starting boost to help us set up the gallery assistant position.

5. Exposure! We’d like to have funds to help us pay for a few months of professional marketing.

BOOM. THERE IT IS.

Hello- This is Laura Mae Noble, Artist and Chief Creative Officer (and sometimes Skipper, and Deck Hand) of the Good Ship LMN Wedge. Ok, enough nautical metaphors. I want to be direct and open with you:

I have been an artist and teacher for most of my life, and while I'm not an expert at business, I know that what I do, and what I am seeking to do through this venture of LMN Wedge Studio and Gallery is of real value. I've been a working artist and designer, a professional art instructor, and contemplative art facilitator for over 15 years. There is much more depth and wealth to what I can offer, and would like to contribute, through my art studio. The Flatiron Arts Building, suite 206 is a really great space and physical location for this venture, and I've only just started. We've been in the Flatiron for going on three years, and before that were in whatever nook and cranny we could find in the neighborhood, or in my private living space. Being in this location as LMN Wedge is an opportuity I've been working towards for years, and I want to stay on in the space and grow within and from this base for, hopefully, years, or even decades.

I know I still have much to learn about organizing and running a business. I am already so humbled and grateful for the kindness, support, and enthusiasm of friends, family, and people who have joined me for classes, gallery shows, or collaborated with me in other ways. The studio may bear my name- LMN (Laura Mae Noble), but it cannot exist without my ongoing relationships with people who believe in me, and in the small team of people who make things happen at LMN Wedge.

I am hoping that you believe enough in my vision to help us with a donation, and maybe share this campaign with others you think might be able to help.

I am planning to THANK YOU by throwing a party for donors in a few months, as well as extending invitations for free or discounted classes, and events, collaborations, and art commissions. We are hoping to offer you at least as much value as we are asking you to contribute in the form of financial support.

Also, if you have skills, or goods, or any non-monetary offerings you'd like to share, or paying gigs, opportunities or projects, please reach out. I would love to hear from you.

Specifically, and I am just throwing out ideas here....

Caveat: However, we aren't looking to split our focus more than we already are, so we do have to be discerning about offers that involve us extending ourselves to meet you, and we cannot pursue anything that requires a financial investment at this time. Besides offers of paid work or project contracts, we are really asking for purely altruistic offers to help, with no strings, and a generous spirit that knows we will pay it forward.

We hope that makes sense.

IF YOU ARE LOCAL, or will be in Chicago on Friday April 12th from 5-9pm, we will be having an exciting night of Music and Comedy we are calling LeMoN Aid- a benefit show that includes amazing and uplifting music and hilarious comedy by some talented artists who care about LMN Wedge, and the local Chicago arts community. Come show your support and HAVE A BLAST at that event.. (details and a link will be posted here and on our website soon)

Also, we are organizing another exciting music event scheduled for April 12th, featuring Latin music, dancing, vendors, and art. Details will be announced soon...

Here's looking forward to a bright future where we all get to enjoy the thriving of LMN Wedge Studio and Gallery.

WITH LOVE and GRATITUDE,

LMN

(Laura Mae Noble)