Crafting Community Through Monumental Art: The Power of Placemaking

In the heart of every community lies a unique tapestry of stories, histories, and shared experiences. These elements, woven together, form the vibrant fabric of communal identity. As an artist deeply committed to fostering this sense of belonging, I believe in the transformative power of placemaking through monumental, artist-guided community artwork.

Placemaking: The Art of Belonging

Placemaking is an action-oriented approach that brings people together to shape their public spaces. It turns physical environments into communal havens, fostering social interaction and engagement. Through monumental art, placemaking becomes an immersive experience where each community member has a role to play.

Monumental Art: A Canvas for Community

Monumental art transcends the ordinary, capturing the essence of a community on a grand scale. These projects are not just about creating impressive visuals; they are about embedding collective narratives into the landscape. Each element of the artwork, reflects the voices and visions of the community it represents.

Artist-Guided Collaboration: Uniting Voices

Guiding a community through the creation of an artwork is an enriching journey. As an artist, my role is to facilitate this process, ensuring every participant feels heard and valued. This collaboration infuses the artwork with diverse perspectives, transforming it into a mosaic of collective identity.

Impact Beyond Aesthetics

The impact of artist-guided community artwork extends far beyond aesthetics. It strengthens social bonds, fosters pride, and ignites a sense of ownership among community members. These creations become landmarks, both physically and emotionally, standing as testaments to the power of collective effort and shared vision.

Join the Journey & Free Your Mind

I invite you to join me on this incredible journey of placemaking through “Free Your Mind”. Free Your Mind is a public textile art project aiming to collect, exhibit, embed and release personal narratives about Microaggressions in a multi-sensory installation. 

This year, Free Your Mind is engaging audiences at Touchstone Center for Crafts in PA from May 17- September 20 and the Delaware Contemporary June 7- August 30th.

Together, we can create work that resonates with meaning, vibrancy, and a deep sense of community. Let’s turn our shared spaces into living canvases, where every member of our community sees themselves reflected and celebrated. In the spirit of collaboration and creativity, let’s craft artwork that enriches our collective spirit.

My process…

My art process is a tapestry of community, found materials, and collective memory. I gather discarded items, each carrying its own story, and weave them into new narratives. Through collaborative workshops and beach clean ups, I engage with community members, listening to their stories and incorporating their memories into my work. This shared journey transforms individual experiences into a collective history. My art is not just a creation, but a communal act of remembrance, healing, and celebration of our intertwined lives and histories.

I make my own world…

My social practice builds community through conversation about shared experiences… via story ribbons tied to a net.

Free Your Mind focuses on exposing microaggressions. The community is invited to share a personal experience with bias to release this interaction from their personal narrative.

So far more than 5000 story ribbons have been collected.

I am a collector of random things

I source my materials in bulk through a network of generous friends and family members. In the finished works, I can identify specific bottle cap styles by the individual who collected them for me.

My work is…

My work includes two-dimensional works, sculptural pieces, and installation in which the surface details draw the viewer inward to explore materiality. 

Detail view, Head Full of Joyful Noise, Purple Orchid

My work is…

My work is the celebration of the alchemy that occurs when disparate materials are assembled to create something new, more beautiful, and more purposeful.