Working with and for great people is a wonderful offshoot of what we do at Rhizome. But our deepest satisfaction comes from actually doing something with our art, skills, and personal philosophies that mirrors the good works of so many of our customers. A business practice we call Corporate Rhizponsibility, this philosophy is a behind-the-scenes viewpoint that allows Rhizome to keep in touch with the world by doing what we can to be mindful custodians of the earth and supporters of the arts and non-profit organizations. This commitment drives our portfolio and sustains our creative output to the world as a whole.
Our photography services are part of our Picturesque Forest Project through Rhizome Images®. Purchases from the Rhizome Images Collection and custom photo shoots support the donation of trees to various ReLeaf programs. Recent client participation in this very personal project includes the donation of thirty trees on behalf of a Canadian client to the B.C. Wildfire ReLeaf Fund through Tree Canada. In the United States, over 245 trees have been donated to the California Wildfire ReLeaf program and twenty-two trees to the Katrina ReLeaf Fund. On-going work with one client has already supported the donation of over 250 trees to a Global ReLeaf Fund through AmericanForests.org.
Each year Rhizome helps create the print and online concert program in for the Valley Cultural Center (VCC) in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, CA. Actively engaged in community outreach, the VCC programs encompass the diverse cultural, social, and artistic dynamics of the Valley. A vital community resource, VCC provides arts appreciation, music education, and arts outreach for students, as well as programs that support their senior population. This year, a Rhizome Photography scholarship was established to support children and their interest in the arts. Rhizome Design & Images is proud to have this opportunity to support the arts and arts education.
As part of our commitment to our own business community, Rhizome donates marketing efforts and time to the Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability. A Northwest, non-profit dedicated to enabling professionals and businesses in driving profitable sustainability, NBIS offers great networking opportunities and their Salmon-Safe and By-Product Synergy Northwest (turning waste-to-profit) programs are making a difference right here at home in the Pacific Northwest.
Last but not least, keeping Rhizome’s own carbon footprint low includes being the owner/builder of an eco-friendly house and managing the certified stewardship forest my husband Bob and I own on Whidbey Island. James McGrath, our web developer, is an urban dweller who lives without a car, rides a very tiny bike, and takes public transportation everywhere he goes. All three of us are also big fans of train travel. Our interest in these areas allows us to write about our travels and interests for our Ecozome Journal site. An op-ed journal featuring writers on social responsibility, sustainability, and a new economy.
For us, Rhizponsibility is simply the day-to-day actions you take to give back to the world.
Jen Pennington
CEO, Rhizome Design & Rhizome Images
Art is in our roots.