A Passion Project for Passion Projects
Our worlds are built around the people and things we care about - the ideas, inspiration, and individuals that take root deep in our souls. What started as just insatiable curiosity about whatās important to people is now a community - not of like-minded people, but people with the desire to see and learn and themselves create.
STL.org is here to share some remarkable things we discover about our St. Louis creative ecosystem, built around communication, craft, and connection. We want to see if it can all be woven together like a grand tapestry that tells a story - a story about who we are as a city and whatās most important to us.
Capture humanity. Inspire community.
Stay connected with us and other members of the STL creative community on Slack. Hereās a link to join!
In partnership with Nine PBS, the Spotlight SeriesĀ® is proud to have been awarded two Mid-America Emmy Awards in 2024!
Financial support provided by:
Design Unfolded
In preparation and research for Design Week 2024, we invited eight of St. Louis's most creative minds to our studio for some candid conversations about design. From fashion to food, architecture to graphic design, these insights help us understand how design thinking shapes our world. These innovators showed us that design isn't just about aestheticsāit's about solving problems, embracing diversity, and building community. They're pushing boundaries, balancing new tech with time-honored craft, and reimagining what's possible in St. Louis and beyond. Design Unfolded offers an honest look at the creative spirit driving our city forward.
5(ish) questions for:
Meet Jacob Janes: co-founder of Janes and Pang Atelier with his fiancƩe to teach visual awareness, aiming for personal and community success through empowering others while keeping up his own art practice. He shares how a profound encounter with Titian's "Ecce Homo" at the St. Louis Art Museum along with street art and relationships with his art professors inspired his pursuit of painting.
Meet Maxine Thirteen, a self-taught figurative painter focused on oil portraiture, blending vintage and macabre elements to explore themes like femininity and social satire. She is the Art Director of 31Art Gallery and a full-time creator. Maxine emphasize the importance of in-person support for art and believes in maintaining a balanced life while expanding, refining your skills.
Meet Jordan Bauer, a seasoned creative professional with nearly a decade experience recently transitioned to the role of Creative Director for Game7, a Web3 Gaming ecosystem, pushing his creative boundaries further than ever before. Bauer describes theWeb3 space as the "Wild West," emphasizing its experimental nature, which fosters creativity and innovation. He talks AI, Saint Louisā entrepreneurial spirit, the future of the creative industry and the uprise of comedy paving the way for a happier and more forgiving world.
Meet Anna Karpinski: designer from the start, talented photographer, and community builder. A St. Louisan through and through, Karpinski shares her excitement for collaborations between design fields happening today and the exploration of her city.
Meet Justin King, a designer and restaurant entrepreneur turned visual artist creating 3-D sculptures using unconventional materials like recycled cardboard, chess pieces, Legos and vibrant colors. Overcoming fears of pursuing his art, King navigated a way to make a creative practice work with his growing family with support from his spouse.
Lauren Milford, a dedicated writer, editor, and video producer residing in Richmond Heights, is working on her first novel. She aims to build human connection through her authentic, compassionate storytelling. Inspired by St. Louis' vibrant growth and collaborative creative community, she appreciates nature for perspective and enjoys hot yoga, reading, and board games in her leisure timeā¦ and doesnāt believe in the concept of guilty pleasures.
Rachel Brandt, owner of The St. Louisan and St. Louisan Media, LLC, is a multi-faceted artist and entrepreneur passionate about creating meaningful content that nourishes communities, explores the intersection of arts, culture, nature, and wellness, and fosters communal connections through digital storytelling.
Meet Mike Spakowski, the powerhouse Partner and Creative Director at Atomicdust. His mantra? Design isnāt just about looking good, it's about making things better. He's a die-hard St. Louis fan who sees the city as a sandbox for creative folks and entrepreneurs.
Meet Aisha Sultan: voracious reader, passionate storyteller, and trailblazing journalist. Her innovative approach to storytelling, extending to filmmaking, is dedicated to making people feel seen and heard. From books to films, she continually aims to connect with and inspire her audience.
Josh Harris, a seasoned pianist, producer, and composer, brings his passion for music to life through his projects and collaborations with both indie and major label artists. His innovative approach to his craft, driven by a constant desire to learn and evolve, has seen him mentor upcoming talent while juggling his own artist projects.
Laura Burns, a lifelong St. Louisan, artist, and entrepreneur, exemplifies a passion for design through her ventures, including her 30-year old graphic design firm, designlab, inc., a stereotype-busting clothing company Girls Will Be, and the family-friendly restaurant, The Parkmoor Drive-In. With profound loss and love shaping her journey, Laura embodies a unique approach to creativity and life.
Meredith Boggess, a committed mother and professional, seeks to create a thriving, engaged online community for people in St. Louis and beyond, while also actively contributing to two organizations she admires: St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and Mission: St. Louis. Inspired by St. Louisans' creativity and collaborative spirit, she aims to support the city's cultural richness and diversity amidst changing landscapes.
of Steveās Hot Dogs
Community-sourced and Q&A based, we ask five questions of these movers-and-shakers, creative problem-solvers, and humans-of-many-talents. What makes them tick, what do they love? Hereās a question for you: who do we need to talk to next?
the thing you enjoy doing can actually be your life... your living
cbabi bayoc
cbabi āø
the spotlight seriesĀ®
This Emmy Award-winning short film series spotlights our favorite hometown characters ā interesting people doing interesting stuff. From motorcycle mechanics, woodworkers, and welders to bakers, painters, and makers, we think this is the woven fabric that makes our city great.
Since landing in St. Louis in 2021, Sophie Mendelson and Martha Bass have been building community one ice cream sandwich at a time, spinning nostalgia, individuality and queerness into the details.
Eschewing new materials in favor of ones with patina, he gravitates toward objects of wood and metal that have lived former lives, using them to communicate an unexplored direction, a way forward, a new energy.
He is at once a perpetual 13-year-old and full-blown adult, living his dream while keenly aware of the sacrifice he makes by building his life around his art.
For her, itās about freedom of movement; for herself and for her customers, allowing them to build something beautiful on their terms, in their own neighborhoods.
John Beck didnāt always know what he was meant to do, but his hands did. From digging into high school art classes to crafting one-off projects at a welding job, he spent years circling his true love: steel.
By mixing color, texture and material, Theresaās work is both strong and playful, a mix of sharp and soft, and always with an edge, much like those she designs for.
Her work invites you in, encouraging you to pair the small details of your life with hers.
Abbey and her team have carved out an environment where creativity and new ideas flow freely; inspiration that you can see in Daily Discoās fresh, ever-evolving designs.
letās connect
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We need your help.
Our stories are fueled by connections and word-of-mouth advocacy from our supporters.
Know someone in our community who exudes creativity, culture, or craft and want to help share it with the world? Tell us about it. Weāre looking for great characters, quiet champions, and the people that make all of St. Louis just a little bit better.
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This platform is dedicated to storytelling, especially passion projects and the unique, creative expressions they represent.
At STL.org, we understand the invaluable role that creativity plays in enhancing our world. We believe that behind every piece of art, there is an impactful story waiting to be told and heard. As a collective of filmmakers, animators, and visual artists, we celebrate the power of storytelling and the innovation it can ignite.
Your creative projects are not just welcomed here, they are treasured. We appreciate the dedication, the commitment, and the courage it takes to complete a passion project. We can't wait to witness your ideas, brought to life and shared with our community.
Share your project here.
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STL.org is run by a small team of volunteers, always searching for like-minded contributors!
If youād like to help out, jump over here and let us know!
letās chat
Art, music, film. photography, design, products, and ideas. All made here, by St. Louisans. Dive into the creative undercurrent that powers what you hear, see, and feel ā and check out the world-class artistic talent and creative projects happening in our town.
stl creates
A new wave of shoegaze - often called ānugazeā or ādream popā - is back, and Seashine is a standout in the genre.
John Boos & Co. butcher blocks have been the gold standard since 1879, and today they are still handcrafted by men and women in their Effingham, IL shop.
at the core iām an artist. making stuff, thatās what matters
abbey eilermann
daily disco āø
the spotlight seriesĀ®
shop & support
This site and our community events are entirely supported by private donors, volunteers, and this storefront. 100% of the proceeds stay within the STL.org nonprofit ecosystem to grow the organization and share great stories of our city and the greater St. Louis community.
True to its name Reclaim Renew salvages old Barnwood and gives it new life as well-crafted furniture.