We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Sundermeier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I don’t think it was a matter of me waking up one day and making a conscious decision to pursue a creative field, but moreso it chose me. I’ve always been looking for my people, and feel like I can most be myself around artists.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has been a winding road that is equal parts “professional” and “art/creative”.

When I graduated from Ohio State in 2012 with a degree in Communications, I was totally freaked out that I’d end up working at a Rent-A-Center or something (no offense to those who do, that’s just not what I wanted for myself!). I took two post-grad paid internships, one of which turned into a full-time job at Huntington National Bank downtown. I was writing RFPs and proposals for small and mid-size businesses, which basically was copying and pasting a bunch of words into a big document all day long. The cubicles were grey. The floors were grey. The suits were grey. I felt my life becoming something so far from who I actually was as a person.

So I left. I took a pay cut, and worked in the salon industry for six years. I did PR and Marketing for two major salons, which also involved running back-of-house for hair and makeup teams for various fashion shows including Fashion Week Columbus. During that time, I started modeling on the side, and in 2019 got signed with PCG Talent. I had a lot of access to hair and makeup services, and enjoyed creating worlds through what I eventually classified as “Art Modeling” as I was concepting, directing, and even location scouting for the photoshoots under the pseudonym mundermonster on Instagram.

Somewhere in that timeframe, I feel ill with Crohn’s disease and was in and out of work for a year. My artmaking through modeling gave me something to look forward to and something to be proud of, as I was still booking shoots during that time. It’s crazy to look back at some shoots and realize how sick I was during the shoot, like maybe I shouldn’t have done all that, but I know that’s just how I operate. I love doing stuff, being busy.

When the pandemic hit, the salons closed. I moved overnight to live with my Grandma Mary in the middle of nowhere (Farmersville, OH). I started making bath bombs and then created a business about it. I directed photoshoots with my friends in tubs. I also got my full-time job as Programming Manager at Kaufman Development and moved back to Columbus. I can’t believe that was four years ago. I’m getting ready to list Mary’s Bath Bombs for sale. Being a solopreneur for a few short years gave me insight into how hard that work truly is, especially if you have a full-time job or kids. I don’t know how people do it!

Working at Kaufman has been a wild ride in the best way possible. It’s refreshing to know that visionaries like Brett Kaufman exist in bringing a forward-thinking brand into play with what has already been going on in Franklinton. My job is to bring a true sense of community to the Gravity buildings- keep them engaged, excited, and bring the brand to life to the greater community as well. My favorite projects have been the Gravity Mural Fest that I got to curate and manage, as well as the Gravity Artist Residency program. I work for a developer, but my job feels like it’s primarily in the arts and wellness arenas.

Right now, I’m getting ready to go back to grad school this Fall at Ohio State to pursue a Masters of Arts in Arts Policy and Administration. I’m beyond excited for the challenge and can’t wait to see what my future holds. I’m also co-chairing Scrawl with Andrew Lundberg as a board member of the Franklinton Arts District. I see my work taking shape into something I can cherish and be proud of. I honestly don’t care if I’m known, but rather if I made a difference in this life. My brand is baked into the quality of my work. I’m not traditional, so I will never feel comfortable in a traditional office setting, but I work hard, and finally feel like I’m on my way to who I’m becoming.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Columbus has so many places to visit and things to do, it’s honestly insane. I live on the East side, so my itinerary for a weekend would be:

Friday night: See a film at The Drexel in downtown Bexley! I love that Columbus has a good handful of historic movie theaters. Pop by The Top for dinner beforehand- if you haven’t been, it’s by far the best vibe in the city for a classic dining experience. There’s a reason why their parking lot is always full! I

f it’s the second Friday of the month, you have to be in Franklinton for Franklinton Fridays. No questions asked. Just go to anywhere in the heart of the neighborhood and start walking around- there’s always something interesting around every corner!

Saturday: Go to a mid-morning yoga session at AYA Yoga and go for a walk at Schiller Park after. Be sure to grab a pastry and coffee at Fox in the Snow after!

If Milo Arts and 934 Gallery are hosting their MADurdays, be sure to check out the open studios there on Saturday afternoon/early evening, especially Rick Borg’s studio.

At night, hit up The Oracle, especially if it’s on a night Candy Rain is taking place- best dance party in the city!

Sunday: Grab brunch at East Market! They have so many yummy food options, it’s insane! Next, go to the Franklin Park Conservatory! They are free the first Sunday of every month, so be sure to visit then. The Palm House takes my breath away every time. And if time allows, swing by Columbus Museum of Art for their free Sundays.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give recognition to my family, my Grandma Mary (rest in peace), my English teachers growing up, my friends, and the kind and caring mentors I’ve had along the way- Jen Lewis, Lori Lutz, Alex Bandar, Frank Sasso, Brett Kaufman, Lauren Schott, my fellow Franklinton Arts District board members, the wild and wonderful salon people (Hannah Shouvlin, Levi Gragg, Lisa Whittington, Cheyenne Webb, Randi Lou), Liz Martin, Ash Steward, and many more. I believe people have been planted in my path on my journey to serve as support, witnesses, reflections (good and bad), and aspirers. I’m grateful for all of the lessons. Also special shout out to my boyfriend Christopher Yager who has taught me unwavering love and support!

Instagram: mundermonster

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marysundermeier/

Image Credits
Photo 1- Modeling shot by Dame Lee. We photographed in an abandoned YMCA. Photos 2 + 3- I got to work with Opera Columbus and OBLSK as opera singers sang from the Gravity balconies- it was incredible and I can’t believe I get to make things up for my job and watch them come to life like this! Photos by Megan Leigh Barnard Photo 4- A cell phone shot from the Nurtur Salon team that did the hair and makeup for the 2018 CCAD Fashion Show Photo 5- The Gravity Mural Fest map, created by Chelsea Bunn

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