KADIE + DAN

When the married founders of Core, Kadie Dempsey and Dan Fenelon, first met she was working for a philanthropist creating programs and services in the inner cities of NJ and he was working at a boutique design firm, a prolific fine artist in his own right.

Their collaboration blossomed when Dan began to accompany Kadie as she organized programs to feed the homeless in Newark. Using his fine art skills, Dan embarked on a series of murals in urban settings leading Kadie to recognize the potential impact of art as a tool for uplifting distressed settings and inspiring residents.

This began Dan’s career as a Public Artist, which dovetailed nicely with Kadie’s new job working as Director of Creative Placemaking for Morris Arts.  Together they began to think of new and innovative ways to collaborate in enriching and broadening the impact of the work they were doing as individuals.

Dan’s reputation as a muralist grew as Kadie continued her education at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy and Planning at Rutgers, receiving a Master Practitioner Certification in Creative Placemaking.

The two decided to branch out and start their own business “CORE Creative Placemaking” using their combined talents to

help transform public spaces into more vital and authentic places to live, work and play.

CORE designed a method that facilitates transformation using team building, creative visioning that results in actionable steps that will improve the quality of life in a town, municipality or company.