• LGBTQ

I identify as a photographer, creative producer, small-scale farmer, community organizer, and teacher.

In my work I use photography as a tool for community engagement by supporting artists, social movements, nonprofits, and local businesses whose work is in alignment with my goals and values (anti-capitalist, environmentalist). Visual storytelling is also the core element of my personal art practice, which often focuses on issues related to gender-based violence and healing, community-building, and agriculture.

I also grow food, flowers, and medicinal herbs for myself and my community. I study herbal medicine and am learning to be an end-of-life caregiver. In my daily life I’m exploring ways to develop and model an anti-capitalist framework for my community by increasing sharing of skills, time, resources, energy, ideas, knowledge, systems, food, etc. I am also helping my community relearn the skills of growing their own food by offering garden consulting and sharing seedlings, with offerings available by donation or sliding scale to ensure accessibility. I’m working to develop a community garden where people can work together to steward shared land, and also share the abundance that emerges from our efforts.

I am not part of any particular movement or organization but have dedicated a significant portion of my life to learning how to exist sustainably and harmoniously with the earth. I would like to expand on the knowledge and experience I have accumulated and develop skills that will help me amplify the message: we need to live differently if we are going to survive as a species.

I have participated in individual therapy and counseling a few times over the course of my life, generally at moments when there was an acute crisis where immediate support was needed. My most impactful healing experience was through the development of a creative project focused on the #metoo movement. I made space for survivors of sexual trauma to come together in a safe and supportive environment to discuss their thoughts and feelings about their experiences, and the impact of the social movement gaining attention and momentum. At the outset my intention was to help other survivors in the process—ultimately the project helped me heal my own trauma in ways I didn’t even know I needed.

I have been working diligently to find ways that I might shift my own life away from the capitalist, consumerist American lifestyle and have made great strides in recent years. I’ve figured out many strategies for how I might live differently, and my next big step I see ahead is to create a physical space where these lessons can be lived, expanded, and taught. I’m hoping this course will help me broaden my own understanding of the difficult choices that need to be made in service of caring for the earth, and also strengthen my facilitation skills in order to help other people learn to make necessary, radical shifts in their own lives.

I am applying as one member of the Hologram group, although that is only one of my communities. I have lived and worked in Western Massachusetts for 16 years and am deeply rooted in several overlapping communities in this region. I am engaged with the local queer community, the community of young farmers in the region, the community of local artists and designers, as well as a community of female and non-binary tradespeople. As I continue to build ways to offer what I learn to my community, all of the above communities will be invited to share and participate.

I am comfortable on Zoom and, assuming no significant unexpected life-changes, I can be available for all of the dates listed.

Yes. Being self-employed, I’m able to set the parameters for my schedule and will prioritize making time for this work for the duration of the course.

We are members of The Hologram community. My relationship with these folks began with an online course that ran several weeks and required deep listening and tremendous vulnerability. I trust they are committed to social change. I trust they are eager to show up and do the work required to broaden their understanding, expand their horizons, and contribute to disrupting the status quo while also modeling a new social paradigm.

It’s possible there are one or two additional people that will be part of our Hologram group. I have not included them in this list because I have not received final confirmation of their application before submitting my own application.