For my Barrett Creative Project, I created an art installation that fostered comprehension, empathy, theorization, and healing surrounding the topic of mass gun violence in America. I used the space I was given in Gallery 100 as a graduating BFA student to host a multimedia installation designed to nurture these ideas.

The goal of this creative project was to create a weaving from raw materials. With the mass-production of modern textiles, the skills and traditions of fiber artistry have seemingly become irrelevant. The scope of fiber artistry is vastly diminished from its historical position; and yet, it still carries a great weight of cultural significance. When working with fibers, one draws upon a history that spans all cultures and the majority of human history (all of human history, excluding approximately the past 150 years of mass-manufactured fibers). This project encompassed each step of the textile production process, from cleaning raw wool, to spinning yarn, to weaving on a loom. The curveball: this project was undertaken with almost none of the essential skills. Consequently, there were many errors and mistakes, and production was frequently derailed and scaled back. These mistakes are documented in photos and videos, so that others who endeavor to learn fiber artistry may avoid these errors, and additionally heed this warning: ask for help early and often. The true value of handmade fiber arts is developed through the maintenance of tradition and sharing new skills with other people. Fiber art communities and the personal maintenance of technical skills allow us to keep a special connection to the past and to the arts. This project was a success in that it produced a valuable learning resource and allowed me to develop my skills in several fields of fiber artistry, while also providing me with a difficult lesson about when to ask for guidance and counseling.

Screen printed textiles formed into over-sized pillows and wall hangings encompass the viewer just as emotions and memories envelope a person's state of being. Pillows representing three generations are staged in small vignettes created by found and restored antiques to surround the viewer in a tangible representation of the intimacy one feels with important figures in a lifetime.

In order to address infant respiratory distress syndrome, this study attempts to develop and characterize a textile strain gauge fabricated with stainless steel, wool, elastic, and tencel. Faire Isle knitted patterns are investigated in order to create channels of conductivity for a linear sensor. The effect linear yarn density on linearity and sensitivity and hysteresis of the sensors is also investigated for sensor optimization. It was found that there was a significant difference between the patterned and non-patterned samples. The patterned sensors were found to have a lower range of resistance than the non-patterned sensors and a smaller average standard of deviation between measurements. The 7 tension, lower linear yarn density, elastic patterned sample was the only sample to not exhibit hysteresis after three trials as well as have a linear range from 11.5cm to 13cm where the sensor behaves in accordance with a linear transfer function.

Other People's Stuff studies the relationships created between objects within their environment, and how these relationships amplify the exchange of human experience. By looking at tactile relationships, material culture, and both the functional and symbolic nature of objects, one can recognize that the relationships created exemplifies the importance of human awareness and perception, while creating a tangible social reality. The research paper is accompanied by a series of woven and printed art pieces that visually express the author's analysis.