I teach an course on Art and Ecology at the University of Idaho. Here’s some interesting work generated by two of my students- Augustus Hahn and Maia Cuddy.

Their work is currently on display as part of a curated exhibition of Ecological Artwork at the University of Idaho College of Business.

As the human population exponentially grows and cities rapidly expand, more individuals are being separated from nature, leading to 5.3 million Americans reporting minimal access to the natural world. Appropriate access to nature is found by many studies to be extremely vital in the process of improving mental health. Mental health issues are experienced  worldwide, with 30% of the global population suffering from some form of mental disorder. In light of this, we aim to demonstrate the significance of appreciating  nature, especially in our evergrowing urban settings, to benefit mental he alth and well-being.

Through various embroidery techniques and interaction with our local community, we work to spread the ideal of nature appreciation and its effects on mental health. Our works will be distributed around our downtown area (Moscow, Idaho) in shops and  outdoor locations to educate and inspire those who identify them.