March 6-7, 2019, Los Angeles

A gathering
of people who
make places

REGISTER

ABOUT

 

Why do you do what you do?

What keeps you going when others would have stopped, or cut corners, or made it beiger, or opted for the path of least (or lesser) resistance?

Why do difficult work that’s likely to be misunderstood by the many for the sake of the passionate few?

Because you can see it.
Because others will be fed by it.
Because it’s inside of you yearning to be expressed.
Because more-bigger-faster is ultimately a hollow pursuit.

In March 2018, fifty creative, restless souls gathered in a rustic log cabin overlooking the San Francisco skyline. It was a time of quiet contemplation and expansive thinking, fueled by stirring speakers sharing provocative, vulnerable stories.

In March 2019, we’ll hold our second annual gathering — this time in Los Angeles, in a former church built in 1905, now beautifully restored and converted to event space.

Who attends? Developers, musicians, makers, planners, writers, architects, artists, activists, teachers, agitators. In short, the people who together, altogether, make places. Who take matter and make it matter.

For a day and a half, this small, eclectic and highly potent brew of speakers and participants will wrestle with difficult questions, engage in rich conversations, and share meals, stories, ideas, and human experiences.

It’s why we do what we do.

—

Matter is created and curated by Greg Fuson as a project of the Plan Be Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that celebrates and supports people whose work fosters community and connectedness.

PROGRAM

 

The 2019 program is now being thoughtfully, lovingly curated. Early previews to be unveiled in the months ahead.

For a taste of what you might expect, here’s who spoke at our inaugural gathering in 2018.

Elle Luna

Elle Luna is an iconic designer, painter, writer, and author of The Crossroads of Should and Must.
Elle Luna is an iconic designer, painter, writer, and author of The Crossroads of Should and Must.

Joey Zwillinger

Joey Zwillinger is co-founder and co-CEO of Allbirds, the sustainable wool footwear dubbed by Time magazine as
Joey Zwillinger is co-founder and co-CEO of Allbirds, the sustainable wool footwear dubbed by Time magazine as "the world's most comfortable shoe."

Christian Picciolini

At age 16, Christian Picciolini was a leader of the neo-Nazi movement. Today he’s a peace advocate working to build a global network of extremism prevention.
At age 16, Christian Picciolini was a leader of the neo-Nazi movement. Today he’s a peace advocate working to build a global network of extremism prevention.

Emily Zulauf

Emily Zulauf is a former story developer for Pixar who left to pursue her own Hero’s Journey: as co-director of the Seattle Clemency Project.
Emily Zulauf is a former story developer for Pixar who left to pursue her own Hero’s Journey: as co-director of the Seattle Clemency Project.

George Zisiadis

George Zisiadis is an artist and designer who wants to make you smile. His public artworks, exhibited across the US, playfully re-imagine the everyday.
George Zisiadis is an artist and designer who wants to make you smile. His public artworks, exhibited across the US, playfully re-imagine the everyday.

Frances Anderton

Frances Anderton is host of KCRW’s DnA: Design and Architecture, a weekly radio show and blog exploring what matters in our designed world.
Frances Anderton is host of KCRW’s DnA: Design and Architecture, a weekly radio show and blog exploring what matters in our designed world.

Ronald Rael

Ronald Rael is a design activist and author of
Ronald Rael is a design activist and author of "Borderwall as Architecture," an artistic and intellectual hand grenade that re-examines the barriers that divide us.

Courtney Ferrell

With a witty sense of humor and irrepressible energy, Courtney Ferrell provokes organizations and individuals to think and behave differently.
With a witty sense of humor and irrepressible energy, Courtney Ferrell provokes organizations and individuals to think and behave differently.

Andy Stefanovich

Andy Stefanovich is an author, disruptor, playmaker and change agent who finds leadership wisdom in children's books.
Andy Stefanovich is an author, disruptor, playmaker and change agent who finds leadership wisdom in children's books.

Lea Redmond

Lea Redmond is a maker of curious things, among them the World's Smallest Post Service. She is currently writing a book about everyday wonder.
Lea Redmond is a maker of curious things, among them the World's Smallest Post Service. She is currently writing a book about everyday wonder.

Jason Roberts

Jason Roberts is an artist, civic activist, urban designer and organizer of
Jason Roberts is an artist, civic activist, urban designer and organizer of "Better Block" projects, converting blighted city bocks into lively, walkable districts.

Shannon Curtis

Shannon Curtis is an independent singer, songwriter, storyteller, recording artist and pioneer of the community-driven house concert touring format.
Shannon Curtis is an independent singer, songwriter, storyteller, recording artist and pioneer of the community-driven house concert touring format.

Sandra Kulli

Sandra Kulli is a student of cultural anthropology and a specialist in the business of creating memorable places.
Sandra Kulli is a student of cultural anthropology and a specialist in the business of creating memorable places.

Mike Sundy

Mike Sundy is a children's book author, screenwriter, and indie publisher who aims to foster deeper connections between parent and child.
Mike Sundy is a children's book author, screenwriter, and indie publisher who aims to foster deeper connections between parent and child.

Jason Headley

Jason Headley tells stories. His short films are viral sensations. His feature film,
Jason Headley tells stories. His short films are viral sensations. His feature film, "A Bad Idea Gone Wrong," won a Special Jury Prize at the 2017 SXSW Film Festival.

LOCATION & LOGISTICS

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SETTING

A historic church built in 1905, for decades serving as a community hub and a progressive voice for the Civil Rights and Women’s Suffrage movements. Now beautifully restored and converted to event space—stained glass windows still intact—it sits in the heart of LA’s Highland Park, a mecca for artists with its Craftsman homes and trendy shops, galleries, bars and restaurants.

ACCOMMODATION

We’ve arranged group rates at the hotels below, all within a 10-20 minute drive depending on traffic. Or for options that are closer and homier, Highland Park boasts a wide variety of Airbnb listings.

Langham Huntington Pasadena (4.0 miles) – discount rates

Freehand Los Angeles (7.8 miles) – discount rates

SCHEDULE

Day 1: The program will begin mid-afternoon on March 6, followed by a reception with beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres in the “secret garden” backyard.

Day 2: We’ll go from 8am to 4:30pm on March 7, with space for food, conversation and reflection throughout.

AIRPORTS

The venue is 15 miles from Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and 25 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

PARKING

Self-pay valet parking is required, as the residential neighborhood has extremely limited street parking. Arrival by Uber/Lyft/taxi is recommended.

ATTIRE

Relaxed and comfortable. Like you’d dress to hang out with close friends.

REGISTER

 

Matter 2019 is limited to 100 participants, and registration is by invitation or referral.

The summer release of tickets is now open. Register using the password that was emailed to you. (If you didn’t receive it, let us know at hello@mattergathering.com.)

REGISTER

If you’re not on the invitation list and would like to be added, tell us a little about you. We’ll send you info about future gatherings.

CONTACT US