Originally from Nevada, BARD currently works in New England. She brings her diverse backgrounds into her art subject matter and processes, having received a BA in Theater and English from Brandeis University and an MA in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Their attraction to mixed media stems from both their work as an environmental educator and a personal creative curiosity. By using found items and reusing her own objects and clothes, she both reduces waste and explores the tangibility of art. In many of their pieces they utilize 3D elements to redefine who can interact with visual art, adding Braille and durable interactive elements to allow blind and low-vision audience members to enjoy their work. Her art has been featured in solo and group exhibits in seven states across the country, as well as internationally.
To me, everything is potential art material for my work. This may be a way to address my hoarding tendencies or influence from my theater background where scraps were creatively put to use to create illusions for the audience. I am drawn to texture and tangibility, reusing items around me to create mixed media pieces. Along with sculptures, I frequently produce paintings, pushing the physical boundaries of the medium with 3D mixed media elements, as well as challenging who can interact with visual art by experimenting with durable interactive pieces, Braille, and even scent. Further examining these boundaries, I play with what is part of the artwork, either rejecting frames or incorporating them into the piece. While my content ping pongs with my interests, as an environmental educator and having received my MA in Sustainable International Development, I am frequently inspired to delve into social justice and climate change issues in my subject matter. My passion and research urge me in my practice to highlight the intersections of these universal crises, working under a lens of education, awareness, and action.
EDUCATION________________________ _________
Brandeis University, M.A. in Sustainable International Development,
Waltham, MA
2019
Brandeis University, B.A. in Theater and English,
Waltham, MA
2015
EXHIBITIONS_________________________________
Solo
2023 Artist of the Quarter, Watch City Arts, MA
2021 Unseen Burden, Shelter In Place Gallery, MA
2020 Cultura del Vaquero: Memories of the Ranch, Forth Worth Community Center, TX
2019 Interrogating Self-Care, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
Group
2023 Destination: Nature, Fivesparks, MA
2023 House in Bloom, Gore Place, MA
2023 Chairs & Cares, Raising Voices Festival, MA
2022 un(veil), Behind VA Shadows
2022 Undomesticated, Gallery One, WA
2021 Collages and Constructions, Menino Arts Center, MA
2021 Submergence: Going Below The Surface, Jack Straw Cultural Center, WA
2021 FLORA, Gallery 263, MA
2021 What Does Community Look Like To You, Brush Arts Gallery, MA
2021 Earth Speaks VII, Pocono Arts Council, PA
2021 Masks, Arts Illiana Gallery, IL
2021 The Overwintering Project: Wall of Wings, Oaks Hill Gallery, Australia
2021 Earth Month: Change is in the Air, Umbrella Arts Center, MA
2021 All Women, J Mane Gallery
2020 Grassroots, Rockport Art Association and Museum, MA
2020 Climate Change: What Will You Do To Help, Oxford Arts Alliance, PA
2020 Mixed Media, The Art Center, NH
2020 Resurgence and Regrowth, Spectrum Art Gallery, CT
2020 Just Faces – People, Places, & Other Creatures, Medford Arts Center, NJ
2020 Created in Isolation, Light Space & Time Online Gallery
2020 Signs of the Times, Ceres Gallery, NY
2020 Contaminated, Institute for Aesthetic Advocacy and Institute for Digital Humanities
2020 Touchy Feely, Gallery 263, MA
2020 Freshwater and Our Watershed, Umbrella Arts Center, MA
2020 Human/Nature, Mosesian Center for the Arts, MA
2020 Red, Novado Gallery, NJ
2020 The Crow Show, Arts Illiana Gallery, IN
2020 Heroes and Villains, Cotuit Center for the Arts, MA
2019 Trees of West Hartford, West Hartford Public Library, CT
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS__________________
2023, Go Out Doors, “Second Wind,” The Groton Gallery, Groton, MA
2023, Moody St Murals, Waltham Chamber of Commerce, Waltham, MA
2023, Moody Street Art Walk, “Synapses Cycles,” “Priceless,” “Joy,” Watch City Arts, Waltham, MA
2022, Go Out Doors, “Echoes of Footsteps and Flora,” Umbrella Arts Center- Minuteman National Historic Park Public Art Project, Concord, MA
2022, Moody Street Art Walk, “Patterns,” “Priceless,” “Seven for a Secret Never to be Told,” Watch City Arts, Waltham, MA
2021, Moody Street Art Walk, “Doc the llama,” Watch City Arts, Waltham, MA
2021, Go Out Doors, “Second Wind,” Umbrella Arts Center- Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Public Art Project, Concord, MA
2021, Go Out Doors, “Ripple Effect,” Umbrella Arts Center- Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Public Art Project, Concord, MA
2021, Change Is In The Air Art Walk, "A Symphony of Wind," Umbrella Arts Center, Concord, MA
2020, Go Out Doors, “Ripple Effect,” Umbrella Arts Center- Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Public Art Project, Concord, MA
COLLECTIONS________________________________
Private Collection, Amherst, MA
Private Collection, South Portland, ME
Private Collection, Canton, MA
Private Collection, Gainesville, FL
EXPERIENCE______________________
2023 Watch City Arts Board Member
2023, Waltham Art Walk Committee, MA
2022, Waltham Art Walk Committee, MA
2021, Waltham Art Walk Committee, MA
2016, Assistant Art Instructor, ST. Vincent's Center, NV
2015, Family Art Programming Developer and Facilitator, Galena Creek Visitor Center, NV
AWARDS___________________________
2021, Juror’s Choice, Pocono Arts Council
2021, Illustration of the Year, Speculative Literature Foundation
2021, Honorable Mention, All Women, J Mane Gallery
2020, Screens Award, GreenPoint EARTH 2020; Screens2Streets
2020, 2nd Place, Climate Change: What Will You Do To Help, Oxford Arts Alliance, PA
2020, Special Recognition, Light Space and Time Art Gallery
RESIDENCIES__________________________
2020, Residency in Joy, Cordial Eye Gallery