naturalia, inc

my business arm. . .

I work with:

museums
gardens, parks, preserves
schools, colleges, universities
non-profits and NGO’s

I envision, plan and develop projects that have broadly to do with “education” but not the usual form. I’m interested in how people make sense of the world and craft stories about what we believe to be so. I work with texts and exhibits, technology and art, and have a particular interest in projects that deal with nature and science.

Here are a few favorite examples:

CITY CREATURES - first, the book; then the exhibitBeing the art editor for this book of essays, poetry and images took me on a rather uncommon safari—through Chicago’s streets and galleries, studios and websites. It was my job to hunt down city crea… — **CITY CREATURES - first, the book; then the exhibit**
Being the art editor for this book of essays, poetry and images took me on a rather uncommon safari—through Chicago’s streets and galleries, studios and websites. It was my job to hunt down city creatures in all their manifestations—murals, banners, sculpture, collage—for a book and subsequent exhibit exploring animals in urban settings. I blog about it here: https://www.humansandnature.org/walk-wild-side-urban-safari

STEAMuseum - a virtual, global museum by and for teensThe STEAMuseum is a cultural space created by and for a new generation of digital learners. It features digital exhibits created by high school students from different countries working together … — **STEAMuseum - a virtual, global museum by and for teens**
The STEAMuseum is a cultural space created by and for a new generation of digital learners. It features digital exhibits created by high school students from different countries working together virtually. It’s more than an exhibit space, however; it’s also a tool: for connecting youth, forming relationships, collaborating on a project, and imagining new ways of communicating, learning and problem-solving in a global world.

NigerHeritage, NIAMEY AND AGADEZ - museum makingWorking with paleontologist Paul Sereno and officials in Niger to plan two new museums for the country’s rich heritage, this project has been an important reminder of the essential roles that museums c… — **NigerHeritage, NIAMEY AND AGADEZ - museum making**
Working with paleontologist Paul Sereno and officials in Niger to plan two new museums for the country’s rich heritage, this project has been an important reminder of the essential roles that museums can play in civic life; our work is not about just preservation but also about creating educational, scientific, cultural and economic opportunities for Niger’s citizens.

ALESCO PARK, CASABLANCA - public programingMy work at Garfield Park Conservatory led to a fortuitous invitation: to spend three months in Casablanca, Morocco working with community residents and politicians to develop a program plan for a major publ… — **ALESCO PARK, CASABLANCA - public programing**
My work at Garfield Park Conservatory led to a fortuitous invitation: to spend three months in Casablanca, Morocco working with community residents and politicians to develop a program plan for a major public park located in one of the city’s most impoverished neighborhoods. We kicked off the plan with a day of games, activities, races and music, capped by a girls boxing match under a full moon—truly a first in this community.

OPENLANDS LAKESHORE PRESERVE - interpretive artworkWhen Openlands created a new nature preserve north of Chicago, we worked with local artists to create interpretive artworks designed to be integrated into and give voice to the landscape. It was a w… — **OPENLANDS LAKESHORE PRESERVE - interpretive artwork**
When Openlands created a new nature preserve north of Chicago, we worked with local artists to create interpretive artworks designed to be integrated into and give voice to the landscape. It was a way of shifting away from traditional didactic messages to more affective approaches that better resonated with the Place in which visitors were immersed.

U THANT HOUSE, YANGON - exhibitIn 2014, the home of former United Nations Secretary-General U Thant—a peacemaker and visionary who famously mediated an end to the Cuban missile crisis—was rescued from neglect by the Yangon Heritage Trust. I had the … — **U THANT HOUSE, YANGON - exhibit**
In 2014, the home of former United Nations Secretary-General U Thant—a peacemaker and visionary who famously mediated an end to the Cuban missile crisis—was rescued from neglect by the Yangon Heritage Trust. I had the privilege of working with U Thant’s grandson to develop an interpretive plan and exhibit to memorialize this great man’s life.

NATURE RE/VIEWED: AN UNCOMMON FIELD GUIDEThe title says it all; this digital “field guide” presents a collection of images from the greater Chicago area that show some of the many ways people understand and represent Land, Water and Sky. It was the … — **NATURE RE/VIEWED: AN UNCOMMON FIELD GUIDE**
The title says it all; this digital “field guide” presents a collection of images from the greater Chicago area that show some of the many ways people understand and represent Land, Water and Sky. It was the capstone project of a seminar I taught for the Johns Hopkins museum studies graduate program. See **http://uncommonfieldguide.wordpress.com/**

NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION - exhibitAs part of a broad effort to revitalize Joliet by repurposing its infamous, now shuttered, prison, I helped develop the exhibit From Prison to Vision which was designed in part to solicit artifacts a… — **NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION - exhibit**
As part of a broad effort to revitalize Joliet by repurposing its infamous, now shuttered, prison, I helped develop the exhibit *From Prison to Vision* which was designed in part to solicit artifacts and ideas from the community about the preservation and future use of this historic site.

MOROCCO - people to people diplomacyThat’s the core of Sister Cities’ mission and the basis for dozens of projects between Chicago and Casablanca which have an uncommonly strong sisterly bond. As a member and later co-chair of the committee, I’ve ha… — **MOROCCO - people to people diplomacy**
That’s the core of Sister Cities’ mission and the basis for dozens of projects between Chicago and Casablanca which have an uncommonly strong sisterly bond. As a member and later co-chair of the committee, I’ve had the good fortune to work with teachers, artists, doctors, organizers, scientists, activists, social workers, and extraordinary youth on joint projects that benefit our respective cities and citizens.