RECIPROCITY
Web of Life
Alicia Farnsworth
native and introduced species found in Middletown County Trailside Park
Hand carved custom made tile, using 6 different clay bodies, Engobe and glazes, Local rock specimens, Some glass and mica
Alicia Farnsworth
native and introduced species found in Middletown County Trailside Park
Hand carved custom made tile, using 6 different clay bodies, Engobe and glazes, Local rock specimens, Some glass and mica
This hand made, hand carved and custom glazed mosaic mural depicts a spring-time landscape collage of species found in the park at various times of the year. Native plants and animals grow alongside introduced, non native plants. Many invasive plants that are now “naturalized” and crowd out the more fire-adapted native species. All these plants and animals have been found in Middletown County Trailside Park and Nature Preserve.
Artist, writer and educator, Alicia Lee Farnsworth used her decades of experience creating mixed-media and ceramic mosaic landscapes to guide community groups in helping her create the many species depicted and tiles included in the piece. Community participants of all ages include groups from People Services and Vision of Hope Village, both serving individuals with disabilities, autism and other developmental differences.
Naturalists assisted Farnsworth in narrowing down the many local plants to the most common and recognizable ones growing in both drier areas of the park as well as flora and fauna found in the park’s seasonal wetlands and streams.
Fransworth was assisted by Karla Giovacchini, a biologist and long-time educator whose expertise was invaluable during community workshops.
Ceramicist and educator, Michelle Gann, was instrumental in Web of Life completion, assisting at workshops, creating tiles, firing every mosaic piece and assisting with cutting and arranging the mosaic.
Artist, writer and educator, Alicia Lee Farnsworth used her decades of experience creating mixed-media and ceramic mosaic landscapes to guide community groups in helping her create the many species depicted and tiles included in the piece. Community participants of all ages include groups from People Services and Vision of Hope Village, both serving individuals with disabilities, autism and other developmental differences.
Naturalists assisted Farnsworth in narrowing down the many local plants to the most common and recognizable ones growing in both drier areas of the park as well as flora and fauna found in the park’s seasonal wetlands and streams.
Fransworth was assisted by Karla Giovacchini, a biologist and long-time educator whose expertise was invaluable during community workshops.
Ceramicist and educator, Michelle Gann, was instrumental in Web of Life completion, assisting at workshops, creating tiles, firing every mosaic piece and assisting with cutting and arranging the mosaic.
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Alicia Farnsworth is a sculptor, painter, ceramicist, printmaker, illustrator, writer, and educator. Despite her physical challenges with Cerebral Palsy, Alicia has produced grand outdoor pieces including carved wooden sculptures, welded steel sculptures and she has created many large-scale mosaic landscapes from handmade ceramic tiles.
Alicia has taught ceramics and served as a substitute teacher for both able-bodied and students with disabilities, in both inclusion and special ed classrooms. A powerful positive role-model, Alicia especially enjoys working with special needs students. Karla “Melia” Giovacchini is Farnsworth’s long-time partner. She has engineered and constructed armatures, bases and structures for Alicia’s and other artists’ work. Giovacchini holds a degree in Biology with an emphasis in estuarine ecology and environmental toxicology. She has been teaching in various capacities for nearly 40 years with an emphasis on helping learners perceive themselves as an integral part of the natural world. |
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