Hi there! I’m writing this to you from my parents’ house in Massachusetts, sitting on the couch with their sweet, fluffy doggo, looking at some very lush greenery outside. I forget how on the east coast the season kind of just jump from chilly almost-spring (ie. mud season) to pretty-much-summer (already wearing shorts here). This year in Michigan has reminded me how much I love changing seasons, even winter.
What I’ve been up to:
I wrapped up my time in Michigan.
There has been lots going on the past few weeks! I finished the semester at CMU. It was bittersweet to end those 3 classes and say goodbye to students there. I’m really proud of the work my students made during very challenging times, and especially at their ability to share creatively, deeply, and vulnerably with each other. I will be updating my teaching page with some of their work as soon as I have the time, so keep an eye on that space if you’re curious! I spent a week with a few friends in the Upper Peninsula. I’ve been wanting to explore that area for a long time, and it was incredible. I loved hanging out in Marquette and Pictured Rocks was one of the most beautiful and interesting parks I’ve been in the US. Also, so nice to be with friends again post-vaccine…! I moved out of Michigan. It was definitely bittersweet to say goodbye to the beautiful house and studio there, as well as a few lovely friends and colleagues, but also felt like the right time to close that chapter after a pretty difficult year.
Erratic Conversations is live.
For the past six+ months, I have been working on this project with artists Nina Elder and Tyler Rai, through our collaborate working group, Erratics. We are so thrilled to share this new mini-series of podcasts, created in collaboration with the Anchorage Museum and their existing podcast, Chatter Marks. More info about the project here. Part 1 is an introduction to the work we do together as Erratics. Part 2-4 are curated, conversations with other (amazing) artists, exploring themes of Mutation, Kin, and Hybrid Bodies / Futurism and Hope / Ghosts, Reliquaries, and Memory. As podcast hosts always say - you can listen “wherever you get your podcasts!” (But for your convenience, here are quick links to Spotify + Apple Podcasts.)
I’m teaching a workshop with Bedford Gallery this Thursday.
Join me for Grounded Connections: Knot Tying and Landscape Contours on Thursday, May 20th 5-6pm PST. Come learn to tie a few mountaineering knots and practice blind contour drawings based on an environment you feel connected to. More info + registration at the eventbrite page here. This workshop is “tied in” (sorry couldn’t resist) to my installation that is part of Bedford Gallery’s exhibition, “A Beautiful Mess: Weavers And Knotters Of The Vanguard,” on view in Walnut Creek, CA through June 13th.
Coming Up:
I’ll be spending the month of June in Alaska.
I’m over the moon to be heading back to Alaska in a couple weeks. I will be spending the first part of June in McCarthy with my Erratics collaborators Tyler Rai and Nina Elder. We are looking forward to being together in person for the very first time (!) after almost two years of working together. As much as I love Southeast, I’m also looking forward to experiencing a new part of Alaska! We will be hosted generously by the McCarthy Lodge and will also be connecting with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks glaciological research team and the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park interpretation program. Later in June I will be spending time with kindred spirit art pal Ellie Schmidt in Sitka. While I’m sad I won’t be able to teach with JIRP this summer (the 75th year of the program!), I’ve been doing lots of curriculum and program planning throughout the year as a member of the academic council and JEDI steering committee - I know that it will be amazing field season for all involved!
I’m working on a public art project in Oakland!
in July I’m heading back to the Bay Area for a while, and am thrilled to be working on my first big public art piece – a large-scale glass wall installation at the Living Lab + Center for Environmental Studies at Bishop O’Dowd High School. The artwork will feature an abstracted geologic map of the East Bay, and include etched topography line work, hand-painted colors inspired by the cyanometer (obviously blue), and printed textures of cyanotypes I will make onsite. There will hopefully also be interdisciplinary art/science learning opportunities for students later in the fall. I am VERY excited to hit the ground running on this after months of proposals and preparation.
What I’m Listening To:
Erratic Conversations! :)
The Yikes Podcast | Episode 32: Breaking Up with Internalized Capitalism
On Being | Living the Questions: We’ve been enmeshed with our technologies. Tech Shabbat for everyone?
No Place Like Home | Indigenous Wisdom & the Seed of Life with Sherri Mitchell
Okay, that’s it for now. It feels really nice to be connecting with friends and family again in person, to be able to travel, etc, but it is also a strange transition. Hope you are doing okay! Sending good thoughts and warmth breezes your way.