As an artist without borders, my work demonstrates how art can engage participants by activating new creative spaces. In November, I traveled to Austin, Texas, to present my interactive art at the Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) conference. My presentation and workshop showed fellow artists how to connect with an audience through a collaborative…
Earlier this year, because of the pandemic, we weren’t able to facilitate our hands-on project at David’s House, a local nonprofit servicing adults with special needs. Instead, we donated the art supply kits. After the staff safely engaged with the residents, we received these fun photos of the participants and their lovely sponge-painted artwork. We…
Yellow Ribbon The Yellow Ribbon Project goes beyond the symbolic gesture of tying yellow ribbons around trees to welcome service members home. It activates interactive spaces to honor veterans and their families. By inviting viewers to write on the ribbons to acknowledge the sacrifices made by military personnel, the project adds a personal touch. This…
Healing Imprint: This multi-media collage series embodies the history, suffering, and grief of our neighbors, while exploring cultural conflict in a new way. The scattered placement of random forms on the raw canvas portrays the disconnect. In life and in art, our personal narratives define us. But strangers’ stories also matter, because they are part…
Throughout 2020, we faced a pandemic with prolonged isolation. But the Yellow Ribbon project proved to be an important opportunity to help galvanize the West Michigan veteran community. Everyone appreciated the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves. While we learned new lessons about resilience, one of our Gulf War vets lost his…
The Voices collection, featured at Veterans Memorial Park for ArtPrize, also gives the audience a chance to speak. Visitors are invited to write an encouraging note on a yellow ribbon and tie it to a tree, as a way to use their voice to support those who fight for our country. Following ArtPrize, the Blue…