Naturally Connected

(Top Left) El Levy (Top Right) Ke’siah Parsons (Bottom Left) Katie Havener (Bottom Right) Diana Talavera Artist Reception: Saturday, November 14, 5PM “No matter where we come from, we are all connected through the people around us, the animals we share nature with, and the environment we surround ourselves with. Even though each of our stories are different, we come together to show that we’re more connected than we might think.” — Contirubting Artists: Katie Havener, El Levy, Ke’siah Parsons, Diana Talavera Contributing Artists’ Bios Katie Havener “As a recent graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, I have been working to develop my style and strengthen my ability to create immersive scenes. Through my paintings, I explore the connection between animals and the habitats they call home, bringing attention to the environments that allow them to thrive. I am always looking for new ways to artistically capture the relationship between wildlife and the world around it.” El Levy “Following my studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, I’ve taken an interest in using my art as a medium in expressing the vulnerability of the human experience. I believe that our belongings and personal spaces can offer a glimpse into our lives— our values, our struggles, and our identities alike. My art aims to capture intimate scenes in their rawest forms and the connections between people and their respective environments.” Ke’siah Parsons “I graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and have been painting for almost ten years. Art has always been more than just making paintings to me it’s how I work through everything life throws at me. Every piece I create tells a story that I don’t always have the words to say, turning my emotions and experiences into something people can see and connect with. Creating has become a form of healing for me mentally, emotionally, and physically, and my hope is that others can find a piece of themselves in my work too.” Diana Talavera “I have always had a love for nature, culture, and animals. In my work I explore how landscapes shape the people who inhabit them and influence the vessels and objects they create. I explore how the land becomes intertwined with the origins of cultures, communities, people, and animals, reflecting the deep relationships that develop between them.”