Memories of a Forest

On December 13, 2025, I conceived, self-organized, and facilitated a solo outdoor gallery and walking exhibition entitled Memories of a Forest, which centered more-than-human perspectives and collective memory through paintings and poetry. The gallery took place in Pine Quarry Park in my hometown of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and consisted of nine site-specific installations, each linked to a particular place within the forest. Incorporating my own knowledge of ecological processes with the wisdom of the living world, the stories explored themes of interdependence, community, resilience, and collective identity.

As someone who grew up playing under this forest’s canopy and seen her change over the years, creating this project allowed me to transform that intimacy into a shared experience, and taught me about the creative ways in which we can use art for place-based knowledge communication and embodied connection.