About

With Floral River, I wanted to create a space where the community of Frankfort could reflect on their connection to nature, particularly the Kentucky River and its surrounding ecosystem. Stretching 1,200-square-feet along the back wall of the new transit center and parking garage, the mural depicts the river as a flowing cascade of native wildflowers. These plants, so vital to pollinators and the health of our environment, symbolize the beauty and resilience of nature amidst the pressures of urbanization and climate change.

My goal for Floral River is to do more than simply beautify the cityscape—I hope it encourages active engagement with the environment. Through this artwork, I aim to inspire individuals to plant Kentucky wildflowers in their own spaces, creating habitats for pollinators and fostering a deeper sense of responsibility for our natural world. This piece is closely tied to my Flower Force initiative, which mobilizes communities to take conservation into their own hands by planting native flora. In doing so, it extends beyond the walls of the installation and into the lives of those who experience it.

This mural also has a more personal aim. I hope that the legislators and decision-makers who park in the garage or walk by the mural will take a moment to consider their relationship to the river and the environment. It’s my way of inviting them to think about how their actions affect the world around us—especially in a place as critical to decision-making as Kentucky’s capital. Ultimately, this piece is about fostering unity through nature and encouraging all of us to recognize the power we have to create change.