We participate in a great global movement: imagining and working toward a world where all belong. Through books, gatherings, media and more, we support people coming together to imagine and inhabit possibilities.
A participatory production company?
Say it’s a book from a vibrant powerful voice. We could just publish that book (sometimes we will), but we would rather involve other voices, including readers.
For Hanna du Plessis’ Oppression and Sue, a book about leaving behind internalized habits of control and learning to “garden” with fierce nurturing care, we’re putting Hanna’s work in conversation with others. The final book will emerge from that conversation.
For Hanna’s Grief and Gratitude Essays, a community of voices will convene around an early edition of the books. The final forms—print, audio,… will emerge from that community.
In support of Jeffrey Dorsey’s In Between project, we’re helping the artist include the people who were the subjects of the portraits in imagining “art shows” that are much more than the usual invitation to “come look at the paintings.”
Okay Then will evolve as it develops capabilities that let us amplify and connect voices, shine light on practices and projects, and equip groups for fruitful imagination, conversation, and co-creation.
Founders
As we take these first steps, Marc Rettig is playing a central founder’s role. Hanna du Plessis is a bedrock co-creator whose participation is shaped by the fact that she is living with ALS.
Marc Rettig
Designer, teacher, and question-dweller driven to explore how we can all get better at creating beloved community together. Co-founder of Fit Associates. Professor in the MFA in Design for Social Innovation at SVA. Oh and he has a little personal site.
Hanna du Plessis
Author, educator, artist, host of group dialogue and learning, and eager participant in life. Joyful and insistent leader in the shift toward a world where everyone is seen and treated as sacred. Principal of Fit Associates for eleven years, professor in the MFA in Design for Social Innovation at SVA for ten.
Now Hanna writes while dying of ALS, and is Okay Then’s first featured voice.
Ensemble
It’s different than a team. These are the players, the crew of actors who are individually and collectively contributing to the birth and early life of Okay Then. Together we explore through listening, encouragement, input and advice, imagine-if, maybe-someday, you-should-think-about, seriously-we-gotta, and I’ll-take-point-on-that. We are intentionally working in a space of becoming.
Deborah Alden
Strategist, advisor, designer and educator whose imagination and heart touches the future of organizations large and small, start-up to legacy. Co-founder of da/rk—a renewal and growth studio.
Erika Johnson
Artist, arts collaborator, non-profit leader, educator, community builder, environmentalist. Tour guide, story teller, facilitator and “ruins fairy” at Sager Mosaics.
Michelle King
Learning instigator, love activist, Architect of beloved community, teacher, abolitionist, local troublemaker. Might as well just watch her TEDx talk.
Maurice Stevens
Bring-togetherer, host of conversations that matter, committed to participatory leadership and more vibrant living at all scales. Associate Dean for Engagement, College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio State University. Faculty Director of the STEAM Factory at OSU.
Ti Wilhelm
Arts equity operative, loving caregiver, analyst and strategizer, grant manager. Program officer/operations at The Opportunity Fund—a funder of the arts, and social and economic justice.