In the Fall of 2018 I began an artist residency with the University of St Thomas’s Sustainable Communities Partnership, headed by the incredible Dr. Maria Dahmus.
As the SCP Artist in Residency, my role allows me to work along side university students, Government, and Non Profit partners who are researching impacts of sustainability in a whole host of contexts.
This fall, I had the joy of partnering with three different collaborations:
Peace and Justice in Leadership with Professor Mike Klein and Metro Transit.
Creating a book cover and interior illustrations from a book written by students based on interviews and research on Metro Transit’s story and presence in the Twin Cities from a multitude of perspectives. This will also lead to a finalized art work that will become public art for Metro Transit this spring.
Climate Vulnerability, English Course with Dr Olga Herrera and the Metropolitan Council.
Students of Dr. Herrera interviewed people in three different vulnerable neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities. The interviews collected stories that tell of the personal impact climate change has begun to have on their lives. Many spoke of flooding and issues with extreme heat. In response I illustrated the neighborhoods adding the flood and heat impact to the illustrations.
Environmental Problem Solving with Dr Gaston Small (Chip)
Dr. Small has received a generous grant from the National Science Foundation, that is furthering his research into Urban Gardening and Nutrient Cycling. His students analyzed collected data from former years to help study the flow and use of nitrogen and phosphorous in Urban ecosystems. I worked with students through storyboarding workshops, to generate the beginnings of a children’s book that communicates their research. This project is not completed, but well underway.
Work from these collaborations thus far:
