I’m honored to share that I’ve joined the Shiftworks Artist Corps, a Pittsburgh-based initiative that empowers artists to actively shape public life and community spaces through creative engagement.

Shiftworks Community + Public Arts envisions a region where the creative practices of artists are fully engaged to collaboratively shape the public realm and catalyze community-led change. As part of the Artist Corps, I’m joining a network of artists who see creativity not just as expression, but as a civic act—one that builds bridges between people, neighborhoods, and shared environments.

For me, being part of Shiftworks aligns perfectly with how I view my own work. My art often explores how physical and natural forces shape memory and place. Whether I’m painting abstract canvases, fabricating installations, or developing large-scale murals, I see art as a living dialogue with the environment—an adaptable, responsive force. Bruce Lee’s idea to “be like water” reflects my process: fluid, intentional, and open to transformation.

The Artist Corps supports artists like me in bringing these values into public practice. Through community-centered projects and collaborations, we engage directly with the people and stories that make up Pittsburgh’s evolving landscape. I believe that art made with a community has a lasting impact—it creates connection, pride, and a shared sense of ownership over public space.

Shiftworks’ guiding principles deeply resonate with my approach:

• Artists are agents of social, civic, and cultural change.
• Community members are collaborators with deep local knowledge.
• Equity and social justice are foundational to creative work.

Being part of this network reinforces my commitment to public art that’s rooted in empathy, access, and collective imagination. I’m excited to continue developing work that reflects Pittsburgh’s diverse voices and landscapes—projects that invite people to see themselves as part of the creative process.

To learn more about the Shiftworks Artist Corps and explore the full artist directory, visit shiftworkspgh.org.