Rooting and Recalibrating
At the end of the summer, Stacy, Monica, and Eliza of the Bloom Arts team came together for a staff retreat in Baltimore facilitated by the Executive Director of Dunamis Boston, J Cottle. The goal of this time was to look back at the work we have done, acknowledge our accomplishments, and ideate about where we want to grow into next. With a full plate of clients, it can be hard to slow down, but the staff at Bloom relished this opportunity to recalibrate and exhale as a team. Read on for individual reflections from each member of our team!
J, Eliza, Stacy, and Monica in Baltimore Unity Hall
The retreat gave us time to recalibrate, space to connect, and energy to shape the bigger picture. I’m reminded of the driving force behind all of this: the people, the passion, and the purpose. Bloom Arts Strategy is more than a firm; it’s an ecosystem of creativity, collaboration, and advocacy, all of which keeps me rooted.
I often return to the “why” of this work—uplifting artists, connecting artists with resources, and amplifying stories that need to be told. Seeing the impact of our efforts renews my commitment to the work, whether supporting a performer with grant requests or managing a major donor event. It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics and pressures, but the retreat provided me with a chance to step back from the daily tasks and reconnect with Bloom’s mission, empowering institutions and individuals to build the resources, community, and skills needed to achieve their creative and strategic goals.
As I think about the future of Bloom Arts Strategy, I am filled with excitement. I can see how the seeds we are planting will bloom. We have incredible artists in our fold and a vision for creating spaces that will be vibrant cultural hubs. I’m thrilled at the possibility of building deeper community engagement, brainstorming ways we can amplify underrepresented voices, and expanding our reach. The retreat was a reminder of the importance of being rooted. It’s from that rootedness that we grow, and blossom, with Bloom Arts Strategy.
-Monica Nyenkan, Account Manager
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I have always worked with and for arts organizations, but Bloom feels different. My days are always varied and my focus shifts from client to client throughout each day and week. Despite my strong appreciation for each client and the work they do, as a remote worker I find it easy to fall into a state of disconnection. The retreat was not only a chance for me to connect with the work, but to connect with the people who give our work meaning.
Working at Bloom, I feel incredibly well supported, but being in community with this group of people was the refresh I needed to re-enter our work with energy and renewed connection. I have had the pleasure of knowing both J and Stacy in person, but meeting my co-worker Monica for the first time was so wonderful because even as we work with different clients, the work we do is aligned and we can connect over shared experiences at work, and also bond over a glass of wine and a discussion about the Cheetah Girls. Now that’s work life balance!
One of the most impactful moments of the weekend for me was seeing the completed mural on the Maryland Ave. Bridge that Bloom helped to facilitate. To see the scale and beauty of the art that was created because of Bloom’s efforts, and to see such a vibrant and diverse group of people enjoying and celebrating art in their community was deeply meaningful to me. It was just another reminder for me that the arts community is where I feel most alive, invested, and connected. I look forward to seeing what is in the future for Bloom, and to see how my strengths and interests can be utilized for this exciting journey ahead!
-Eliza Malecki, Account Manager
Eliza, Monica, and Stacy admiring the Trenton Alley mural, another project Bloom facilitated!
We have been running at full speed since I launched Bloom Arts a year and a half ago. The first part of this year was particularly bonkers - in the best way! - but I felt that it was (past) time to slow down, take stock of what we had achieved, and refocus our intentions for the coming 6-12 months. I never make big decisions alone, so the retreat also allowed us to come together as a group to share our ideas, hopes, and dreams for the future of Bloom, many of which I'm excited to move forward with in the coming months.
Sometimes you walk into a retreat or strategic planning session thinking that some miraculous new idea is going to surface, but often, the findings are just a confirmation of what you knew all along. That's what this was, but it had the added bonus of allowing our team, which is remote, to share space together for three wonderful days and get to know each other better. I feel very lucky to be surrounded and supported by the Bloom Arts team and grateful that they are sharing their skills, intellect, and expertise with me and our clients. I am feeling ready and excited to enter this next chapter of Bloom Arts, and I'm so excited to share our ideas with the world!
-Stacy Handler, Founder and CEO
