People joke that Stephanie Marshall doesn’t sleep.
After spending a full day meeting with business owners in the Carmel Arts & Design District and helping plan events such as gallery walks, Marshall would go home and spend hours making up hundreds of gift baskets for nonprofit organizations, such as animal shelters. She never stopped.
“I get a little carried away,” she said. “I made 400 gift baskets last year. My mind has more energy than my body and I forget I can’t put in the 14 hours a day like I used to.”
But now after eight years on the job, Marshall will retire from her position as special events coordinator with the City of Carmel because of health concerns. Her responsibilities included networking with businesses and art galleries, planning events, sharing ideas with journalists and being a point-person for problems that arise in the Arts District.
“She has worked continuously to help any artist, gallery and/or business who needed or asked for help,” said Marie Reamer, an artist at ArtSplash Gallery. “She was willing to go the extra mile for anyone to help them succeed. As a very detail-oriented person, she was on top of every event she was responsible for in the district. She worked many overtime hours and evening hours so that the events would succeed. I consider her irreplaceable in the district.”
Marshall and her family moved around quite a bit before deciding to stay in Carmel. She said it felt like home. Prior to her job with the city, she worked flipping houses, restoring antique furniture finishes for antique dealers and with stained glass windows. She began as a volunteer at Christmas in the District, and that turned into a part-time position that eventually became full-time. Her passion for the Carmel Arts & Design District made her the perfect fit.
“I believe in the district, that’s why I am here,” she said. “My goal has always been to make the district a living, breathing, accessible place, not a museum. We have an incredible array of lessons in music, voice, dance, art and even miniatures. We also have authentic restaurants where you can get to know the people and their families.”
Marshall said the hardest part of her job was trying to narrow down her ideas since she has so many. But friends and neighbors said she excelled at the difficult task of bringing together artists, merchants, restaurateurs, event planners and residents. Many of these people can have different goals and agendas, and they don’t always get along. Todd Oliver, founder of the Carmel Marathon, said Marshall was immediately on board when he was planning the first race years ago, and she was invaluable for working with local businesses to talk about road closures and figure out ways to drive traffic to local retailers.
“Hers has been a hard job,” City Council President Ron Carter said. “It is no walk in the park to corral one hundred independent businesses, especially with galleries thrown into the mix. She has to have the patience of a saint.”
Marshall’s last day will be Dec. 13, but she said she’ll remain involved as a volunteer. She’s on the board for the Museum of Miniature Houses and she enjoys building miniatures in her spare time. Her role will be filled by a combination of existing employees and some contracted consultants.
ABOUT STEPHANIE MARSHALL
What is your favorite event in the Arts District and why?
My favorite event is the Gingerbread Scavenger hunt. I wanted to help the merchants meet each other in a fun activity.
What will you miss about the job?
Checking on how a business is doing, hearing about the merchant’s families, encouraging upcoming plans and meeting new shop owners. I always want them to know that we value them and that I am happy to help them. Many people, artists especially, have no idea how good they really are. I also love setting up small events like tours in the galleries or a day for groups to have lunch and shop. The businesses are very welcoming to tours of visitors that come through.
What are your hopes for what will continue in Carmel and the Arts District after you’ve left your position?
The district will just keep getting better. So many fascinating people with talent, it can’t help but be more and more unique. I can’t wait to see what happens. I live nearby. I love murals and would love to see a few more.
