“Cleo, Tidal and Delores 1948”
Following the Ann Arbor District Library's Call for Artists in 2020, AADL installed its Black Lives Matter mural on the south side of Library Lane on Friday, May 21. The community-based project is the culmination of nearly a year of work between AADL staff, the local arts community, and a community review panel featuring Jamall Bufford, Marianetta Porter, and Rochelle Riley. I served as the Artistic Coordinator Avery Williamson and helped lead the project and contributed art for one of the eight panels, which includes work from seven other artists showing what the phrase Black Lives Matter means to them.
Ann Arbor District Library Black Lives Matter Mural Lettering
The eclectic nature of the lettering speaks to the breadth and diversity of the Black experience. The lettering concept originates from the Ann Arbor District Library and the African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) archives. I worked with AADL’s archives team to identify moments and places that were significant to Washtenaw County Black history. It was important to me for the letters to honor the spaces where history has been made, and to encourage the community to imagine and celebrate Black futures.
“Back to the Garden”
“Back to the Garden” was a temporary window installation at Thistle & Bess in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2021. The color palette was inspired by blooming peonies, purple irises, wild ivy wines, soft pink dahlias, heirloom tomatoes, basil leaves, and hot peppers.
StudioStudio Door Mural
StudioStudio is a white box studio in Ann Arbor that is flooded with natural light. These mural doors were painted in 2020 and add color to the photoshoots, pop-up markets, workshops and yoga classes that the space hosts year-round.
“What the Water Gave Me”
“What the Water Gave Me” is a 480 sq ft. meditative installation created in 2020. Large sweeping blue brush strokes make their way across twelve white aluminum composite panels. The texture of the piece reflects the quiet, uncertain and emergent energies of 2020. I wanted to create a piece that would allow viewers to disappear into the work. I am repeatedly drawn to blue. As I sketched and then painted this mural I thought about the peace and power of water - especially in the context of the Great Lakes region. In moments of anxiety and uncertainty I am grounded by the movements and colors of water. “What the Water Gave Me” is a part of my ongoing squiggle series.
