Making The Invisible Visible

I'm so grateful to be back for the 8th year running with the Natural Hazards Workshop, and this year director Dr. Lori Peek said something that really touched me, as this is my goal with all of my clients:

"Your art has become such an important piece in our puzzle, helping to hold things together and making everything more beautiful. So, so grateful for you."

Community Mural created onsite by Alece Birnbach using attendee’s answers to a prompt.

That puzzle metaphor captures exactly what I try to do. It starts before the event even begins, illustrating the conference theme so organizers can use it to promote the workshop itself. Then, over three days, I graphic record the opening keynote and every plenary session — open discussions full of hard-won insight — turning those conversations into images people can see themselves reflected in. Alongside that, I create a Community Mural, gathering attendees' own ideas for building stronger coalitions.

By the end of the workshop, those pieces come together into large 4'x8' murals that anchor a gallery walk — connecting the keynote, the plenaries, and the community's own voices into one cohesive story they can see, remember, and carry with them.

Thank you to this beautiful community for trusting me with your stories, year after year.