Creating The Canvas Community

One of the fundamental goals of our company Footprint Media, and publishers of canvas, is to help thread the community of LOHAS minded people together on Long Island. We envisioned four legs on a stool as the way to do this: the magazine, website, events and seminars.

The first step in this building process was the printed magazine and canvasli.com website. The second step was select events through the canvas gallery, with the help of Cherie Via of Ripe are, to showcase local art talent. Beyond the gallery we started the canvas Open Mic, suggested by one of our staffers Liza, and canvas food/wine events which began in June 2007 to further our efforts there. The last step was canvas presents seminars, which we launched this month, with Peter Reiss entitled “Discover the World of Feng Shui.”

Through theses efforts we are experiencing the reality of what we, Matt and I, envisioned more than two years ago. As we get ready for our last event in June tonight, Greendrinks Long Island, I though about how amazing it is to see what’s been accomplished and the community we’re bringing together.

At the canvas cocktails event we hosted at Red Restaurant I was asked “What’s the purpose of tonight?” I answered, “To bring the canvas community together, so they can get to know each other.” The person replied “I get it, that’s really cool.”

As anyone can imagine, creating the finished product for the magazine, website, events and seminars is a challenging task to say the least. Because of the finished products we present, most people don’t realize how small and fragile a business we are. They are surprised to learn that for the most part there’s no one behind the curtain. Just a few of us who really care about what we’re doing and the support of those who get it.

But is this all necessary? Yes Why? Because canvasesque people on Long Island need venues like these and others to gather, to meet, to talk, to learn, to do business. To know they are part of the whole not just a part of the sum.

As we prep today for tonite’s event I can see the effects on our team. I see in Matt, through his walk, the aches and pains he describes, and I know the effects on me, aches, pains, heavy coffee in take and the big desire for rest.

I know we’ll look back on this June as one of the most satisfying months in our history. It also happened that this month one of our newer advertisers said to me “only cool people read canvas.” The coolness comes from their mindset, because we’ve been fortunate to enjoy the company of people of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders and preferences at our events.

Who would have thought this would be possible on Long Island – We did and we were right!

Join the canvas community at a future event and experience it for yourself

Tom Pellicane – Publisher, canvas Magazine