Meet Ian & Katie
Environmental nonprofit work. A children's gymnastic program. And an original Colorado artist who works with hand-cut stencil and spraypaint prints. What do these have in common? One family's talents, that's what! When we interviewed Katie and Ian Millard, we couldn't believe how diverse, not to mention community-driven, their work is. We feel lucky to have Katie, Ian, and their two daughters in our neighborhood!
We asked them to answer a few questions about their work and how it contributes to our community.
Can you tell us about the work you both do, and how it contributes to our community?
KM: My full time work as Outreach Manager for The Nature Conservancy, contributes to protecting places and water for future generations.
From a more local perspective, I created and now manage a Gymnastics Playgroup program. When our oldest daughter was born, I was looking for a drop in gymnastics program, one that I did not have to commit to a nine week session. I worked with the staff at DU to allow me to use their great facility for a casual, drop-in playgroup for kids ages 0-2. I think there was a real need for something like this in our community, without any marketing or adveritising, just through word of mouth, it quickly grew to a second hour and now includes children, ages prewalkers-5. I've found parents of young children appreciate this drop-in approach, since, as we all know, preschoolers, toddlers and little ones can be unpredictable. I also run private playgroups for moms clubs, toddler birthdays and school functions.
IM: I work full time for myself as an artist and sell around the world through my website www.iansprints.com. I create limited edition hand-cut stencil and spraypaint prints. Cutting the stencils myself allows me to capture precision and realism while using an unpredictable and urban medium, spraypaint, in a controlled manner. As a small business owner it is important to promote our community and the many talents that live here. I like to think I'm making a small impact on our community by offering original works of art, many that represent the Denver and Colorado lifestyle. I also love to capture our furry friends, through my pet art commissions.
What kinds of activities or events do you hope to offer in the future?
KM: I would love to offer a 5-7 year old gymnastics "clinic" class, and if there is ever enough interest, an adult gymnastics workout program. I'm also considering starting a "Creative Movements" preschooler class in Platt Park and hope to make more use of our terrific Decker Library basement space by helping to host a suite of drop-in classes with the Platt Park Parents group.
IM: In addition to helping support Katie in developing her website, raise our daughters to become bright, confident women, I'm looking to expand my portfolio to capture homes in the Denver area, I can't think of a better place, where each house has more character than the next, then our own Platt Park!
KM: Ian may be roped into helping me develop some of the Decker Library branch classes too.
IM: Yup, that sounds about right.
For more information, check out:
Katie's website: www.gymnasticsplaygroup.com
Ian's website: www.iansprints.com
How long have you two been residents of Platt Park, and how long have you been parents?
KM: Ian and I have lived here for 6 years. The longest we've ever lived anywhere! We are parents to two sweet little girls-ages 2 and 3 months.
Photo courtesy of © Lynn Townsend www.illuminephoto.com