Merridee LaMantia - Member At-Large
As a visual artist, Merridee LaMantia has lived in Bloomington for over 24 years and currently works as a self-employed graphic designer. She believes in people, neighborhoods, living together in community and the power of women's voices in helping to create balance in our world. She has served the Democratic Women's Caucus as the chair of Programs since
2005 and has been responsible for the monthly breakfast program meetings in addition to coordinating special luncheons and dinners. To further support the DWC, she has contributed her design skills to create their logo, membership brochure, signage, as well as promotional materials for fundraising events and endorsed women candidates. She served in the PTO at Fairview Elementary School for 13 years, seven years as its president. In 2005, she served on the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association's Steering Committee to help develop the core neighborhood's future goals in relation to the city's. Later that year she completed seven years as a volunteer serving on the Visual Arts Committee for the Lotus World Music & Art Festival. After winning an Indiana Arts Commission grant in 2006, a month-long installation of her artwork entitled "Illuminating Peace" was exhibited in Bloomington's City Hall.
This traveling installation also has been exhibited in Florida and Columbus, Indiana. In 2007, she accepted a mayoral appointment to serve on Bloomington's Commission on the Status of Women. She has donated her artwork to support the fundraising efforts of Edible Lotus, Middle Way House, Amethyst House and Options for Better Living.
While her three daughters were young, she served for 13 years on Fairview Elementary’s PTO, 7 years as its president. In 2005, she served on Prospect Hill’s Steering Committee to help develop the core neighborhood’s future goals in relation to the city’s. Later that year she completed 7-years as a volunteer serving on the Visual Arts Committee for the Lotus World Music & Art Festival. During the summer of 2006, a month-long installation of her artwork entitled “Illuminating Peace” was exhibited in City Hall’s Atrium space. In January 2007, she accepted a two-year mayoral appointment to serve on the city’s Commission for the Status of Women. Through the years she has donated her time, via her artwork, to support the fundraising efforts of Edible Lotus, Middleway House, Amethyst House as well as Options for Better Living. She believes in people, neighborhoods, living together in community and the power of women's voices in helping create balance in our world.