Photo by Costa Media Advisors

FLYAWAY MURAL

Reflection Riding Nature Center and Arboretum

In 2021, I collaborated with fellow BFA Graphic Design students on a partnership with Reflection Riding Nature Center and Arboretum to develop educational signage and wayfinding materials. As part of this initiative, I designed a mural to bring visibility to the MOTUS wildlife tracking system—an antenna mounted in front of the building that records migratory patterns of birds traveling through Chattanooga. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo, one of the species tracked by the system, became the central subject of the mural.

When I first learned about the MOTUS station, it stood against a blank gray wall, offering little indication of the significant ecological research taking place there. What began as a conceptual proposal evolved over the course of a year and a half, moving through multiple redesigns, iterations, funding phases, and even artist transitions. After receiving support from both the city and the university, and through collaboration with a broad team of partners and contributors, Derek Witucki, Tyus Allen, and I brought the final mural to life.

Other projects

In addition to Flyaway, I have had the pleasure of working on several private residences, each with its own unique character and vision. These projects allowed me to collaborate closely with homeowners to bring their artistic dreams to life, enhancing their living spaces with bespoke murals that reflect their personalities and tastes. From whimsical designs to sophisticated landscapes, each mural is a testament to the power of art in transforming a home into a personal sanctuary.