Last Saturday I dropped off four art pieces for my first-ever gallery exhibition event. Doing this kind of thing was honestly not on my radar at all at the beginning of this year, and I almost can’t believe it’s happening. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to a person I’d never met before who visited my booth at Minneapolis People’s Pride this past June. They messaged me afterward, telling me about the miniARTure Art Show with The Otherworldly Arts Collective and that they thought my work would be a good fit for the show. That gave me the confidence to apply, and I was overjoyed when I was accepted.
Several months later, I’ve got four pieces ready to show that have surprised me by fitting together into a narrative. I didn’t set out with a central theme in mind, other than the theme of food and flora that encompasses all of my work. I knew at the start that I wanted to do a bakery window, and the ideas for the other pieces came together somewhat independently. When they were all finished and I took a step back, I realized that they together tell the story of a strawberry. Here are the pieces I ended up with!
Pollinator Garden
2025. Fiber, paper, and wood. 5″ x 5″ x 1″.
The strawberry begins with pollination.
The monarch butterflies in this piece represent migration and the essential role that migrants play in our food system. In this piece I hope to convey the beauty of spaces that are intentionally welcoming for migrants and that celebrate their inherent value.
Strawberry Bush
2025. Fiber, paper, and polymer clay. 5″ x 5″ x 1″.
The strawberry grows and ripens.
This piece celebrates the beauty of fruiting plants. But what that beauty conceals is the hardship that farm workers undergo as they hand-pick berries for wages that are far lower than they deserve.
I have both practical and philosophical reasons for not depicting those conditions right now. First, rendering humans meaningfully is not one of my current artistic skills. Second, I do not want to visually represent a farm worker unless I work directly with them to present aspects of their experience that they want to share. As I grow as an artist, I hope to cultivate both the skills and the authentic relationships to achieve this.
The Bakery
2025. Mixed media. 7″ x 7″ x 2″.
The strawberry adorns a celebratory treat.
This piece is a celebration of the roles that food can play beyond providing nutrition. Food can be a work of art in itself and is often the centerpiece of important social events. I love the concept of a bakery window because I imagine a vibrant community where passers-by smile at the joyful whimsy of tasty treats.
Picnic Under a Willow
2025. Fiber, paper, and polymer clay. 5″ x 5″ x 1″.
The strawberry is the sweet end to a meal.
At first, this piece was just the willow, an experimentation with paper quilling and crochet. The picnic was inspired by The Bakery. I loved the red and white textile as well as the strawberry cupcakes from that piece. And I felt that the willow’s lazy lean and softly dangling boughs called for a peaceful picnic. I imagine this as a celebratory meal, complete with champagne, dessert, and floral decor. What’s the celebration? Anything at all.
In the lead-up to the exhibition, I’ve got a complex range of emotions. I’m genuinely proud of what I’ve created. And fretting over the many things that I’d criticize or want to change. I’m honored to participate in a collective exhibition with other local artists. And nervous that my offerings won’t stand up next to their incredible talent. I’m overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to show my work. And terrified that people will scoff at the prices I’m asking for these pieces that I’ve put so much time and care into.
These are the sweets and sours of showing my first mini collection. And just like tasting a strawberry, I think the balance of both makes the experience all the more exciting.
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