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(she/her) I grew up in Bloomington, Indiana an area known for it’s beautiful fall colors. Spring, however, is the most beautiful season when redbud, dogwood, and crabapples array themselves against soft light green leaves that slowly unfurl in the warming, dappled sunlight. Opera permeated my waking hours. My mother often sang along with recordings of Jussi Bjoerling, a leading tenor during the 50s, while ironing my father’s shirts. Music remains an essential aspect of my life. When not confronted with a pandemic, I sing each week in a local church. I moved to the Chicago area in 1977 after completing a Bachelors degree in Environmental Health Sciences. After working as a Compliance Officer for OSHA, I returned to school to earn a Masters degree in Public Health, specifically Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the School of Public Health at what is now the University of Illinois at Chicago. I devoted my career to protecting the health and safety of workers in the Chicago area. I took an early retirement several years ago and worked briefly as a medical writer and editor. I am fully retired now and devote my time to gardening, reading, hiking and traveling. (Fall 2019-Present)

(she/her) Hey there!!! I’m Ayana but I go by Yana. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am openly bisexual and I have raging chaotic Aries energy. I love to read and eat good food. I’m a senior at SAIC and I mainly focus on art history and art therapy. I believe in healing communities and growing from trauma. (Fall 2020-present)

Hi there! My name is Taylor and I use both she/her and they/them pronouns (no specific preference). I am a second year graduate art therapy student at SAIC, who enjoys utilizing found objects to create installation art (set design feels), photography, and sculpture. Writing is also a passion of mine. I grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and lived in Massachusetts as well for a period of time. I enjoy being out in nature and taking hikes with friends. Autumn is my favorite season – perhaps that’s the New England in me.