Regeneration
In recognition of our interconnected ecological and social crises of over-consumption, plastic pollution, global warming, and loss of biodiversity, I have challenged myself to make use of ‘single-use’ plastic, via collage, heat-fusing, cutting, and stitching by hand—transforming what we would normally discard into something worth more consideration.
Community Projects
I have been honored with opportunities to engage with asylum-seeking children from Central America and witness how art-making can connect diverse groups of humans in powerful ways.
Hands of Hope
This portable art display banner was a collaborative art project with asylum-seeking youth from Central America and members of the Christ Church and San Marcos parish in Tarrytown, NY. Everyone was encouraged to trace their hand on fabric and decorate it as they wished. To honor the asylum seekers, parishioners were given paper stars to write a message of hope and affirmation.
108 x 36 inches (18 x 36 inches folded); assemblage of embellished fabric and acrylic paint on accordion-folded corrugated plastic
Bridge of Hope Mural
This goal of this mural project was to beautify an outdoor space and raise both awareness and funds for Foundation Cristosal, a human rights organization which supports victims of gang violence and poverty in Central America. The black outline style was chosen to pay homage to the traditional art style of El Salvador while facilitating a paint-by-number approach. The wall was painted in multiple sessions by all ages in the local community, and much fun and fellowship was had by all!
402 x 81 inches (33.5 feet wide by 6.8 feet tall); acrylic paint on vinyl siding, window frame, and drainpipe
You Belong Banner
This was an collaborative project that engaged both developmentally disabled adults and asylum-seeking youth from Central America. The adults contributed drawings for the ground from which the tree grows, and the children were given bird templates to personalize. The banner was a gift for Abbott House, in Irvington, NY, to welcome asylum-seeking children staying there temporarily. Each child was encouraged to take their bird with them when it was time to leave.
36 x 84 inches; mixed media acrylic with cut and sewn canvas, felt, crayons, markers, and printed cardboard
Rainbow Collage Puzzle
This project was completed with developmentally disabled adults who were encouraged to hunt for and cut out images from old magazines that corresponded with specific colors. They worked in pairs to glue the colored scraps in place on the outlined puzzles pieces. Putting it all together and recognizing the rainbow was a challenge and revelation for all.
24 x 54 inches; old magazine remnants mounted on hand-cut foam board
