What We're Proud Of: Hard Endings, New Beginnings, and What's in Store for You
2024 is the year of Citysteading
This holiday season, we are incredibly thankful for each and every one of you, our wonderful community. Thank you. You, reading this. You who have come into our space, grown with us, supported our classes and makers. 2023 was a year of huge leaps for us as a family and as an organization. We couldn't have made it this far without you. So we want to thank you and honor the past year with a reflection. As well as share with you a preview of where we're going in the year ahead.
What We're Proud Of
The Creative Community
This past year, we've grown our team, our services, and our classes. We met some incredible artists, such as Lové Iman (@bigbvbyve), a patient, avant-garde Baltimore artist who now runs our intimate paint nights, working with people of all levels to create unique masterpieces in a heart-forward class structure we had never seen before.
And Danvic Celebrando-Royer (@misterkokedama), the innovative mind behind our kokedama creations and classes, who every month manages to surprise us by creating a new and inspired combination of plants, moss, and twine we didn't know was possible.
We hosted a cosplay figure drawing class with @cosplayfiguredrawing, Sip & Stitch with @sippinandstichin, an office plant repotting class for Johns Hopkins, a series of tarot classes from @anotherdashofsalt, AND had another stellar installment of Happy Alley featuring works by some of our local favorites: @littlelambcrochet, @femmeprints, @stingingnettlestitchery, @koobta.art, @strayterrors, @deadbeat.devil, @lucidknits, @originatehandcraft, @anotherdashofsalt, @risojam, @soulshineaura, and our neighbors @greyhoundtavernbmore. We are so thankful for our growing team of brilliant creatives who continue to inspire us and make the Cultivated Community what it is today.
Art Club got its official launch this year as well, and has quickly become a Cultivated team and community favorite. A free space, where anyone can bring a project, pull up a blanket, and parallel craft without judgment, these home-grown community evenings have given us new life and energy, providing a welcome mid-week respite from the routine hustle. Connecting with so many unique and incredible makers, some from within our community and some from as far out as Ellicott City (shoutout @ore.and.wool), has been a privilege and so, so inspiring.
Bringing Design to life with Cultivated
We are also proud to have extended our devotion to plants into the realm of interior design, helping home owners and businesses alike breathe new life into their spaces with Cultivated, our exciting new design venture.
Operated and curated by FPCC shop owner and local artist, @amadaus_theartist, Cultivated is your gateway into a world of unparalleled interior design experience.
In 2023, Cultivated had the pleasure and privilege of
collaborating with local interior designer @laurenmlevineinteriors to elevate residential spaces, guide new homeowners in creating their custom visions, and crafting an awe-inspiring interior for @Bajatapbar, a trendy new restaurant in Fell's Point.
Witnessing the sheer joy on our clients' faces as they bask in their newfound ambiance, is the heartbeat of our passion.
Product Launches
In our commitment to sustainability, we partnered with our sister company, Baltispore, to create an original, nutrient dense mixture of Tropical and Cacti/Succulent soil composed of myceliated mushroom blocks to optimize organic growth and bring the benefits of fungi back into our houseplants. This has been a game changer in our homes & gardens, and will soon be for yours, too! Catch our mushroom soil at the shop, in all of our plants and for purchase by the bag. Blend it with your favorite soils for a boost, or pot it on its own to watch your plant's ecosystem thrive.
SPEAKING OF DRTY
DRTY HNDS, our inaugural made-to-order clothing line, launched this past year, and your reception of the merch just blew us away. Based on your feedback, we plan on launching limited edition prints and collections thoughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled and subscribe to our mailing list to get the first looks!
Hard Endings and New Beginnings
Armin.
As many of you know, our shop dog, Armin, passed away this fall. His loss still rings through us at the shop. Your support through that time is what kept us afloat and moving forward during such a difficult period.
Armin had been with us since we began working on the space. He loved the shop and all of you immensely. His favorite part of the day was coming to work, and right until the end, he never missed a day of greeting visitors, playing with your pups, and meeting your families. We hope you carry his love and memory forward as we carry your kindness towards him in our hearts.
Donnie!
The holidays came early this year when new shop kitty, Donnie Rivers, entered our little family in November, after his previous family could no longer care for him.
Since then, he has become a fast brother to Boone and Bear, and has made himself at home sleeping on the counter and, when awake, assisting with each and every transaction.
In 2022 we learned so much about how to make our space functional and how to craft it around our unique offerings. In 2023 we learned how to optimize that growth and make even bolder additions.
Where We're Going
What to expect in the year ahead.
Starting December 31, 2024, we will be closed until Friday, January 12th, to update the space and make room for everything new in store. HINT: we're not only bringing you new houseplants, we're bringing you the ability to grow your own food, right from your home.
Citysteading - the ability to grow basic produce in compact apartments - has become increasingly important for those of us without access to outdoor growing spaces, to sate our desire to grow edible plants and mushrooms.
We are also setting our sights on giving back to the community and city as best we can. We will be donating our custom soil to Patterson Park, local community gardens, and our local CSA organizations to help revitalize growing spaces and public parks. We'll also be adding resources to our Harm Reduction Corner for more ways to keep the community safe.
What's in Store for You
In 2024 you'll have access to a host of new and familiar classes months in advance. Airplant macrame weaving, repotting & propagation lessons, and mushroom inoculation & preparation, to name a few. Stay tuned, and check out Eventbrite to get the low down and reserve your spot.
Looking to cultivate new life in your home or business? Hit us up for a free design consultation!
We would never have gotten to where we are without our community, and we know that if we hope to continue to grow, it will be because of, and alongside, y'all.
And don't forget to follow along with us on our journey on instagram and right here in our blog. We'll be posting style guides, our favorite plants and how to care for them, new and upcoming events, and so much more.
Happy Holidays and thank y'all you for an amazing year. We look forward to growing with you in 2024!
See y'all soon!
