About Us
I’m MB…
I’ve been lucky to experience many cultures, locations, & relationships (though only one true love #ERIC!), and I believe the themes we selected capture my passions perfectly. These values have shown up in high school as an Earth Club & Amnesty International leader, in the Philippines (as well as up and down the east coast of the US) where I conducted art & human rights workshops as a college student for Amnesty International, in Greece where I worked in Middle East and African refugee camps, in urban and rural schools in the Bay Area where I’ve worked as a special ed teacher for over 20 years, and in my advocacy for mental health parity. Along the way, art has always been at my side (you can see my work, along with Eric’s, at www.lelanddesign.com). When I told a friend about the Deviled Eggery, she said, “You’ve been planning for this project your whole life.” So here we are, opening day, and the project has been in the works for nearly 50 years.
… and I’m Eric
a technology consultant, artist and activist. I started and run a company focused on public transit and nonprofit technology projects. When I’m not doing that, I’m usually in my garage using high voltage electricity to burn old wood objects that I find at local thrift stores. It’s called fractal art - the technique creates tree-like burn designs. I love the process of taking someone else’s giveaways and refurbishing them into art pieces, and have been able to raise money for some favorite local nonprofits (Una Vida, Trout Unlimited, ReLeaf Petaluma) with my work. I grew up on a citrus and avocado orchard in Southern California, and am very excited to live where we can grow gardens & fruit trees, rewild the meadow, watch the deer and badgers, and live more sustainably. Like MB, I feel well aligned with the themes we chose for the Deviled Eggery, as my other passions have revolved around environmental and human rights projects (including river restoration, increasing tree canopy, mental health crisis response advocacy, and immigrant and refugee assistance both locally and abroad).
Let’s Work Together
However you approach the concept of community resilience, this space can offer you a place to share your thoughts, listen to others, learn from our past and create positive programs in Petaluma and beyond. Fill out our volunteer sign-up form if you would like to volunteer, donate, or partner with us. We can’t wait to work with you!