LIFE OF A TREE

Life of a Tree was a platform for conversation and performance celebrating the life of local urban trees. In collaboration with the James River Park System and Richmond Urban Forestry, Ash and Maple wood was transformed into a stage. The stage was designed by Kristen Wheatley and was fabricated with help from Keenan Rowe. Milk River Arts’ Bukuru Nyandwi illustrated the life stages of an Ash tree for use in the background.

At the event, Hope Ginsburg led a meditation, VCU Green Action did a live poetry reading, and local band Juniper Tree played a set of songs. The event took place in the side lawn of the Anderson on May 5, 2023.

This project was funded with a VCUarts Dean’s Research Grant awarded to Kristen Wheatley and Keenan Rowe (faculty mentor). The wood used in the stage was returned to students in the Craft and Material Studies Department for use in the fall semester.