Raft, 2021; Cast plastic, foam, and mixed media, 7.5’ x 28’ x 13’

Collaboration Artists: Doug Barrett, Doug Baulos, Lanette Blankenship, Merrilee Challiss, Gary Chapman,

Derek Cracco, Becki Delgado, Guthrie “Goo” Holmes, Jacob Phillips, Savannah Smith, Emily Stroud, Michael Swann, and Joszlyn Thompson

I created a series of cast plastic wall sea otters that were given to each local artist listed above. The artists were told to paint and renovate the surface of their given otter with their own individual artistic style. Then I cast a plastic ornate frame for each otter as if it were a piece of art on the wall. There is quite a variety of styles from different artists and it just shows how supportive and wonderful an artist community can be. I also think this piece became a subconscious reflection on communities in general and how all of our differences make up unique societies that are able to collaborate and come up with innovative ways of life – seeing various differences more as a single herd of advantages. The shipping stencils on the walrus represents an outsider that has the ability to acclimate themselves into any environment.