A Chair of Bowlies
St. Louis, Missouri | Series
Documentary, History
Chair of Bowlies tells the true story of Mary Engelbreit’s unexpected rise from young illustrator to cultural icon. In a time when creativity and small businesses are fighting to survive, this film celebrates resilience, reinvention, and the courage to build something lasting.
150 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$11,253
Goal: $320,500 for development
Chair of Bowlies tells the true story of Mary Engelbreit’s unexpected rise from young illustrator to cultural icon. In a time when creativity and small businesses are fighting to survive, this film celebrates resilience, reinvention, and the courage to build something lasting.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
For more than four decades, Mary Engelbreit’s art lived in America’s kitchens, classrooms, greeting cards, calendars, and childhood bedrooms.
But behind the iconic borders and bold red signature is a story few people know — a young woman who never planned to build an empire, who navigated explosive success, industry shifts, personal setbacks, and reinvention in a changing retail world.
Chair of Bowlies is the untold story of an accidental entrepreneur who helped define a generation of American visual culture — and the resilience it took to endure.
This is not just a nostalgia piece. It’s a story about creative survival.
Why you?
Because this story belongs to you, too.
Mary’s art didn’t just hang on walls — it lived in your kitchens, classrooms, dorm rooms, weddings, and childhood bedrooms. It marked holidays, milestones, and everyday moments.
The people who grew up with her work are the reason this legacy exists. Now, you have the opportunity to help preserve it.
This film won’t be funded by a studio deciding what matters — it will be funded by the community that made it matter in the first place.
Why this?
Mary didn’t just create illustrations. She built a licensing powerhouse from her kitchen table long before “personal brand” was a concept. Her story bridges art, entrepreneurship, feminism, retail history, and cultural memory.
Why now?
Independent artists and small businesses are under enormous pressure. Retail has shifted. Media has fragmented. Creative careers look nothing like they did in the 1980s and 90s.
Mary’s story of reinvention, resilience, and staying original is more relevant than ever. And as we approach the 50th anniversary of her company in 2027, this is the moment to document the full story — while we still can.
Urgency matters. Cultural history disappears when it isn’t recorded.
We are currently in development and early production. We have begun archival organization, preliminary interviews, and visual development with Generations Broadcasting.
This Seed & Spark campaign funds:
- Principal filming
- Archival digitization
- Travel for key interviews
- Music licensing
- Post-production editing
- Location fees & rentals
- Marketing
When complete, the documentary will be submitted to film festivals and positioned for streaming and broadcast distribution. Supporters will receive early access through private screenings, digital releases, and premiere events.
Pledge today to help preserve an important piece of American creative history.
- Follow this campaign for updates.
- Share this story with anyone who grew up with Mary’s art.
- “I just supported Chair of Bowlies: The Mary Engelbreit Story — a documentary about the iconic illustrator who shaped a generation. If her art was part of your life, join me in bringing this story to the screen. 🎬✨ https://seedandspark.com/fund/a-chair-of-bowlies#story”
This campaign isn’t just about funding a film.
It’s about honoring a legacy — and making sure the full story is finally told.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $60,000
Skilled videographers will capture Mary’s story with cinematic care—preserving her legacy through interviews, archives, and studio moments.
Producer & Director
Costs $125,000
A Producer & Director keep the film on track—managing logistics, budget, & vision to bring Mary’s story to life with excellence and impact.
Cast
Costs $20,000
Cast - Recognizable cast and star voices bring credibility and reach—drawing wider audiences to Mary’s story and amplifying its impact.
Travel
Costs $17,500
Travel allows us to capture key interviews, archives, and meaningful locations that are essential to telling Mary’s full story.
Music
Costs $7,500
Music sets the emotional tone—adding depth, warmth, and heart to Mary’s story while elevating the cinematic experience.
Marketing
Costs $80,000
Marketing ensures the film reaches fans, creatives, and new audiences—expanding impact and honoring Mary’s legacy.
Locations
Costs $8,000
Filming in meaningful locations brings authenticity and visual richness to the story, grounding the film in real places.
Meals
Costs $2,500
Meals support cast and crew during long production days, keeping the team energized and focused on quality storytelling.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Mary Engelbreit, CEO & Illustrator, is the creative force at the heart of the film, sharing her personal journey for the first time. Like many artists, Mary Engelbreit's foray with the arts began when she was just a young child. Her parents, eager to support her endeavors, turned an old linen closet into a meager art studio. During her early 20's, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a children's book illustrator. Taking a leap and ditching her modest freelance job, she traveled to New York City with nothing but her portfolio. Meeting with several publishers and receiving disappointing reception for her work, Mary took the advice of an art director and decided to instead try illustrating greeting cards. The rest was history. From her humble beginnings, Mary's business grew into an empire. Her lovable characters and designs would produce best selling children's books, calendars, home goods, accessories, fabrics, crafting supplies, holiday decor, and more. Though she no longer works in a linen closet, Mary still lives in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, preferring to spend time with her family and friends, and creating at home in her studio. Her legacy lives on through her ongoing treasury of illustrations and through the hearts and minds of her adoring fans.
Chair of Bowlies is produced by Generations Broadcasting, a team dedicated to preserving meaningful American stories.
Scott Farber, Producer, is a veteran broadcaster, producer, public speaker, and three-time Telly Award–winning documentary filmmaker whose 40-year career has spanned radio, television, advertising, and long-form storytelling. He is the founder of SF Media and Generations Broadcasting and the co-founder, alongside his wife and producing partner Rhonda Farber, of GBCStories.com — a national educational storytelling platform dedicated to preserving first-person accounts of lived history before they disappear.
Tanisha Cardwell, Director, is a multidisciplinary creative who blends her background in finance and marketing with an instinct for authentic storytelling. After managing brand activations early in her career, she transitioned into film as a producer, director, and actress, channeling her business acumen into bold, human-centered narratives. She now guides projects from development through post with both precision and imagination, streamlining workflows, managing budgets, and nurturing the creative teams behind them. Known for thoughtful collaboration and a commitment to “real” storytelling, she crafts films that highlight genuine human connection while bringing clarity, structure, and artistry to every production she touches.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
For more than four decades, Mary Engelbreit’s art lived in America’s kitchens, classrooms, greeting cards, calendars, and childhood bedrooms.
But behind the iconic borders and bold red signature is a story few people know — a young woman who never planned to build an empire, who navigated explosive success, industry shifts, personal setbacks, and reinvention in a changing retail world.
Chair of Bowlies is the untold story of an accidental entrepreneur who helped define a generation of American visual culture — and the resilience it took to endure.
This is not just a nostalgia piece. It’s a story about creative survival.
Why you?
Because this story belongs to you, too.
Mary’s art didn’t just hang on walls — it lived in your kitchens, classrooms, dorm rooms, weddings, and childhood bedrooms. It marked holidays, milestones, and everyday moments.
The people who grew up with her work are the reason this legacy exists. Now, you have the opportunity to help preserve it.
This film won’t be funded by a studio deciding what matters — it will be funded by the community that made it matter in the first place.
Why this?
Mary didn’t just create illustrations. She built a licensing powerhouse from her kitchen table long before “personal brand” was a concept. Her story bridges art, entrepreneurship, feminism, retail history, and cultural memory.
Why now?
Independent artists and small businesses are under enormous pressure. Retail has shifted. Media has fragmented. Creative careers look nothing like they did in the 1980s and 90s.
Mary’s story of reinvention, resilience, and staying original is more relevant than ever. And as we approach the 50th anniversary of her company in 2027, this is the moment to document the full story — while we still can.
Urgency matters. Cultural history disappears when it isn’t recorded.
We are currently in development and early production. We have begun archival organization, preliminary interviews, and visual development with Generations Broadcasting.
This Seed & Spark campaign funds:
- Principal filming
- Archival digitization
- Travel for key interviews
- Music licensing
- Post-production editing
- Location fees & rentals
- Marketing
When complete, the documentary will be submitted to film festivals and positioned for streaming and broadcast distribution. Supporters will receive early access through private screenings, digital releases, and premiere events.
Pledge today to help preserve an important piece of American creative history.
- Follow this campaign for updates.
- Share this story with anyone who grew up with Mary’s art.
- “I just supported Chair of Bowlies: The Mary Engelbreit Story — a documentary about the iconic illustrator who shaped a generation. If her art was part of your life, join me in bringing this story to the screen. 🎬✨ https://seedandspark.com/fund/a-chair-of-bowlies#story”
This campaign isn’t just about funding a film.
It’s about honoring a legacy — and making sure the full story is finally told.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $60,000
Skilled videographers will capture Mary’s story with cinematic care—preserving her legacy through interviews, archives, and studio moments.
Producer & Director
Costs $125,000
A Producer & Director keep the film on track—managing logistics, budget, & vision to bring Mary’s story to life with excellence and impact.
Cast
Costs $20,000
Cast - Recognizable cast and star voices bring credibility and reach—drawing wider audiences to Mary’s story and amplifying its impact.
Travel
Costs $17,500
Travel allows us to capture key interviews, archives, and meaningful locations that are essential to telling Mary’s full story.
Music
Costs $7,500
Music sets the emotional tone—adding depth, warmth, and heart to Mary’s story while elevating the cinematic experience.
Marketing
Costs $80,000
Marketing ensures the film reaches fans, creatives, and new audiences—expanding impact and honoring Mary’s legacy.
Locations
Costs $8,000
Filming in meaningful locations brings authenticity and visual richness to the story, grounding the film in real places.
Meals
Costs $2,500
Meals support cast and crew during long production days, keeping the team energized and focused on quality storytelling.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Mary Engelbreit, CEO & Illustrator, is the creative force at the heart of the film, sharing her personal journey for the first time. Like many artists, Mary Engelbreit's foray with the arts began when she was just a young child. Her parents, eager to support her endeavors, turned an old linen closet into a meager art studio. During her early 20's, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a children's book illustrator. Taking a leap and ditching her modest freelance job, she traveled to New York City with nothing but her portfolio. Meeting with several publishers and receiving disappointing reception for her work, Mary took the advice of an art director and decided to instead try illustrating greeting cards. The rest was history. From her humble beginnings, Mary's business grew into an empire. Her lovable characters and designs would produce best selling children's books, calendars, home goods, accessories, fabrics, crafting supplies, holiday decor, and more. Though she no longer works in a linen closet, Mary still lives in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, preferring to spend time with her family and friends, and creating at home in her studio. Her legacy lives on through her ongoing treasury of illustrations and through the hearts and minds of her adoring fans.
Chair of Bowlies is produced by Generations Broadcasting, a team dedicated to preserving meaningful American stories.
Scott Farber, Producer, is a veteran broadcaster, producer, public speaker, and three-time Telly Award–winning documentary filmmaker whose 40-year career has spanned radio, television, advertising, and long-form storytelling. He is the founder of SF Media and Generations Broadcasting and the co-founder, alongside his wife and producing partner Rhonda Farber, of GBCStories.com — a national educational storytelling platform dedicated to preserving first-person accounts of lived history before they disappear.
Tanisha Cardwell, Director, is a multidisciplinary creative who blends her background in finance and marketing with an instinct for authentic storytelling. After managing brand activations early in her career, she transitioned into film as a producer, director, and actress, channeling her business acumen into bold, human-centered narratives. She now guides projects from development through post with both precision and imagination, streamlining workflows, managing budgets, and nurturing the creative teams behind them. Known for thoughtful collaboration and a commitment to “real” storytelling, she crafts films that highlight genuine human connection while bringing clarity, structure, and artistry to every production she touches.