Colorful sculpture of large flowers and foliage made from mixed media, including fabric and paper, displayed indoors near a window.

gardens of the future

united in the belief that art is a powerful pathway to connection and social change, the gardens of the future collective transforms trash into beautiful possibility, both literally and figuratively.

building bridges between art, storytelling/listening, audacious dreaming, and community organizing, we start where we are and use what we have. this allows us to practice dreaming a more expansive world together. then, we back up those dreamy visions with tangible, organized action. another world is possible - let’s dream it and build it together!

share your dream for a better future »»» complete form

Gardens of the Future: Let’s Dream a New World Together (Dream Gather Form)

art made from trash?

from pollution to possibility

plastic does not disappear; it merely surrenders its shape. it fractures into microshards that permeate the clouds, the deepest ocean trenches, and the very marrow of our bones. we are, quite literally, becoming as synthetic as the world we have built.

gardens of the future began as an art series born from the friction between devastation and transformation. the sculpted paintings are crafted entirely from Philadelphia trash and reclaimed materials—a practice that acts as a manifesto: we must start where we are, using what we have to go where we are trying to grow.

the works serve as a chilling consumerist "what if?" in these speculative, apocalyptic landscapes, the pollinators vanish and the soil turns to dust, yet these "forever blossoms" persist. from a distance, they are vibrant and whimsical; up close, a stark confession of our complicity.

while a cautionary tale regarding the biodiversity crisis and our current trajectory, this work is also a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to find light in the darkest of places. by transmuting trash into art, it explores the bridge between our suffocating reality and our ability to break down systems of waste to build something more expansive.

we are witnessing mass extinction fueled by our own convenience. these works act as a mirror, challenging the viewer to look at the garbage of our time and dare to dream something different.

we are the seed for future generations.

A handmade art piece with a blue background featuring five red poppy flowers with green stems and leaves, made from various craft materials. The top of the artwork has crumpled silver and bubble wrap-like materials. On the left side, orange cut-out paper words spell out a message, and at the bottom left, there is a paper crown, suggesting a tribute or memorial theme.
Colorful textured artwork featuring painted leaves, flowers, candles, and abstract elements using vibrant reds, greens, and other colors.
Colorful mixed media artwork featuring red poppy flowers, a gold crown, green leaves, and brown textured ground on a blue background with orange paper strips.

dreaming a new future together

gardens of the future is surely about sustainability and access. by using trash to make art, we prevent it from reaching landfills and waterways and make artistic practice truly accessible (it’s nearly free!)

however, this series invites us into deeper reflection

  • how can we truly look at and honor the devastation around us?

  • how can we tune into our most creative, visionary selves to dream up new possibility?

  • how can we start exactly where we are and use only what we have to courageously step forward in co-creating the world in which we most want to live?

a vision for community imagination + creation

we are moving this series out of the studio and into our community to inspire collective dreaming and action. another world is possible, and we believe in US!

COMMUNITY EXHIBITION Studio 34 (aug-sept 2027)

GARDENS OF THE FUTURE: LET’S DREAM A NEW WORLD TOGETHER

goals of project before exhibition:

  • launch SEEDING CHANGE DREAMSCAPE. a mobile community altar where philly folks will weave their dreams for a regenerative future

  • host trash art, environmental ed, and collective dreaming workshops to inspire deeper connection and change

  • collect 1,000 dreams for the future

  • synthesize community dreams into themes to be mirrored back at the exhibition

  • immersive exhibition will feature: gardens of the future original art, the SEEDING CHANGE DREAMSCAPE, community-made art, education stations, water healing ceremony, and more!

Two women hugging and smiling in front of colorful wall art at an art gallery, featuring flowers, text, and mixed media elements.
Two women taking a selfie at an art gallery, with colorful floral and nature-themed artwork on the wall behind them, both making expressive faces

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE PROJECT?

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR UPCOMING NEWSLETTER (ABOVE) TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON PROJECT HAPPENINGS

SHARE YOUR DREAM FOR A BETTER FUTURE

ATTEND AN EVENT

DONATE TO OUR PROJECT TO ALLOW FREE WORKSHOP ACCESS

meet the dream weavers

Person taking a mirror selfie in a bedroom. They have short, messy dark hair with two small buns, wear yellow glasses, a black sweater with a floral pattern, and a pink skirt. The background shows a bed with a floral bedspread and various bedroom furniture.

hannah mack

hannah mack (they/them) is a non-binary + queer Philly-based artist, facilitator, and program developer who specializes in ushering big, bold ideas into the world in tangible ways.

hannah’s inner child reminds them to stay unapologetically hopeful, believing another world is possible.

they are passionate about co-creating a new world where everyone’s needs and dreams are honored and used as the catalyst for change.

lead artist

Young woman with curly hair in a bun exploring a dense green forest, holding a moss-covered branch, wearing a blue jacket and a brown backpack.

jendaiya hill

Jendaiya Hill (she/they) is a Philly-based artist, storyteller, facilitator, and community organizer who specializes in environmental justice.

She is passionate about inspiring creative action as well as building relationships and infrastructure that strengthen community care and climate resilience across neighborhoods and ecosystems.

lead organizer

plastic pollution in the delaware river

Is My Recycling Being… Recycled? (by Courtney Duchene) Turns out, probably not. Philadelphia’s recycling rate is 13%

gardens of the future supports community orgs

A colorful 3D craft display with a blue sky, white clouds, red poppies, a gold crown, and green foliage. Orange letters spell out 'WE ARE THE SUNSHINES' across the blue background.

“we are the seed-mini” made in 2026 for Abolition School’s fundraiser at Vox Populi (march 2026)

A tarot card of the Queen of Wands lying on a colorful, painted surface with a decorated, flower-shaped candle holder placed on a colorful box next to it.

“mini garbage bloom” made in 2025 for Lilypad’s fundraiser

A 3D mixed media art display with orange tape letters spelling 'WE ARE THE BRAVE' and three large red paper poppies with green stems, set against a textured blue background with green leafy elements at the bottom.

“we are the seed-mini” made in 2025 for Artemis Pack’s fundraiser.