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As one of twelve artists selected for the inaugural TAAS x Mount Sequoyah Summer Residency, I spent two weeks immersed in a community of artists from Northwest Arkansas and around the world. The residency brought together The Alternative Art School’s global learning model with Mount Sequoyah’s unique Ozark setting, creating space for conversation and the exchange of ideas across disciplines and cultures. It was an incredible experience to spend each day working alongside artists whose backgrounds, perspectives, and practices were so different from my own. More than anything, the residency left me feeling proud to call the Ozarks home. One of my favorite artists was from South Africa, and I immediately told her how much I love Die Antwoord. I’m still not sure if that impressed her or horrified her. She kept asking me to drive her to Ozark Natural Foods for a cappuccino, so I guess we ended up friends.

Rooted in the storytelling traditions of the Ozarks, the residency balanced workshops, incredible field experiences, studio time, and meaningful discussions about place and storytelling. One of the highlights for me was a talk by cofounder Eden Imrie. Hearing someone who loves the Ozarks as much as I do talk about the region made me see my home a little differently. I spent most of the residency with a camera in my hand, documenting artists making work, swimming in creeks, wandering through the woods, laughing, and becoming friends. The following photo essay is my portrait of those two remarkable weeks.

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