Family has always played a huge role in my life, leading me to become fascinated with the concept of the "family tree." When trying to figure out how to effectively display this series while working within the constraints of the Foreman Gallery at Hartwick College, I knew that I needed to create a main focus to tie the small pieces together. Each of these pieces were inspired by family, home, and belonging, so I used these central themes to guide my vision. I was reminded of my interest in the visual concept of a family tree, and I knew that was the key to creating a cohesive display. I painted a stylized tree connecting each piece, but when I stepped back to assess my progress, I knew that there was still something missing. Echoing the painted gold "frames" already present in three of the works, I painted gold frames on the wall to anchor the clear resin piece and the small block print, as well as my artist statement.

This early exhibition is where I first began to really explore the possibilities of my curatorial ability to adapt to new challenges and create cohesive, thoughtful exhibitions that make the most of any space.