Threshold To Hope, Inc.

09/08/2026

We will miss Mare's leadership but let me assure you that Threshold to Hope will remain open. The children's program will continue. Join us on First Friday in October to Celebrate Mare and her leadership. See Mare's post for more details.

09/08/2026

We will miss Mare's leadership but let me assure you that Threshold to Hope will remain open. The children's program will continue. Join us on First Friday in October to Celebrate Mare and her leadership.

09/08/2026

A Special Message to Our Children’s Art Families 💙

After nine wonderful years with Threshold to Hope, including the past three years leading the Children’s Art Program, I have made the decision to retire at the end of September.

Watching our young artists create, learn, laugh, grow, and discover their own unique talents over these three years has been one of the greatest joys of my time at Threshold to Hope. I am incredibly proud of everything we have built together—from Children’s Art to community projects, acts of kindness, and so many wonderful memories.

Most importantly, Children’s Art will continue! Randa and the rest of our amazing art team will be here to welcome our young artists and families and keep the creativity going. 🎨❤️

My last Saturday with Children’s Art will be a retirement celebration! 🎉🎨 I would love to celebrate with our young artists, families, and friends who have been part of this journey. Details are coming soon!

While I may be retiring from Threshold to Hope, I will always carry the memories of our young artists and families with me. Thank you for trusting me, creating with me, laughing with me, and allowing me to be part of your children’s creative journeys.

This isn’t the end of Children’s Art—it is simply a new chapter. 💙

With love and lots of colorful memories,
Mare

09/08/2026

A New Chapter 💙🎨

After nine wonderful years with Threshold to Hope, including eight and a half years serving on the Board of Directors, it is time for me to begin a new chapter. At the end of September, I will be retiring from Threshold to Hope.

This has not been a quick decision. It has come with a lot of thought, prayer, reflection, and conversations with the people who know and love me best. At this point in my life, I need to prioritize my health and mobility. And as I have thought about what I want this next chapter to look like, I keep coming back to some very important words: joy and hope.

I want to make more room for both of those things—for my health, the people I love, my art and creativity, and continuing to help, serve, and give back to the community that means so much to me.

I am incredibly grateful for my nine years with Threshold to Hope and for the people, friendships, experiences, and opportunities that have become part of my journey. Threshold has given me a place to grow as an artist and has opened doors for me to take my love of art, kindness, and service beyond the studio and into the Bloomington-Normal community.

Some of my favorite memories have come from being out in our community—creating art with children and families, working with community partners, participating in local events and service projects, celebrating different cultures, sharing kindness, and simply getting to know so many wonderful people along the way.

The past three years building and leading the Children’s Art Program hold a very special place in my heart. Watching young artists create, learn, grow, and discover what they can do continues to be an incredible privilege.

And there is one thing I want to make very clear:

While I am retiring from Threshold to Hope, I am definitely not retiring from the Bloomington-Normal community. 💙

So, yes—you are still going to see me around! 😇 I’ll still be creating art, volunteering, helping, supporting local organizations and events, and finding new ways to serve and spread kindness throughout our community.

I hope you’ll join me during October First Friday for a community retirement celebration. 🎉🎨 Details will be coming soon!

To Threshold to Hope and to all the artists, young artists, families, volunteers, community partners, friends, and neighbors who are part of this journey—thank you. The memories and friendships we have made are ones I will carry with me into whatever comes next.

I don't know exactly what every part of this next chapter will look like—and that's okay. I do know I want it filled with health, joy, hope, creativity, kindness, community, and maybe a few new adventures along the way. 💙🎨

Mare / ME Darling

08/29/2026

We are ready to create a beautiful messy project

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

Some great donations came in from our Children's art volunteers and art family. If you want to donate to help children's and adult programs, here is a list of items needed: baby wipes (sensitive), paper towels, garbage bags, and sandwich and quart size ziplock bags. Thanks for supporting us.

08/27/2026

Send this to the creative person whose ideas are always slightly too big, too strange and absolutely worth attempting.

Or save it for the next time someone asks what you are making and you realise there is no sensible way to explain it yet.

08/27/2026

New mini art in the Gallery. Fun pieces at a fun price.