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

gardens of the future

gardens of the future is an art-for-social change project that builds new worlds out of philadelphia trash. if we can dream new possibility into literal trash, how else can we be inspired to use our imaginations?

building bridges between art, audacious dreaming, and community organizing, we start where we are and use what we have to grow towards a better future. another world is possible - let’s dream it and build it together!

art made from trash?

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 confession of our complicity. we are witnessing mass extinction fueled by our own convenience.

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.

these works act as a mirror, challenging the viewer to look at the garbage of our time and dare to dream something different.

from pollution to possibility

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 absolutely about sustainability and access. making art out of trash prevents it from reaching landfills and waterways, and it make artistic practice truly accessible.

this project also 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?

let’s dream a new world together

over the next year, we’ll be leveraging trash-made-art as an invitation to dream and create together. all community-made art will be featured in our immersive, public exhibition from aug-sept 2027 at studio 34 in west philadelphia.

project goals:

launch SEEDING CHANGE COMMUNITY DREAM ALTAR & collect 1,000 community member dreams for the future
host trash art, environmental ed, and collective dreaming workshops to inspire deeper connection and imagination
synthesize community dreams into themes and map them to local orgs and mutual aid groups doing the work of our dreams

immersive exhibition will feature: gardens of the future original art, the SEEDING CHANGE DREAM ALTAR, catalogue of dreams, community-made art, education stations, and more!

a public, free exhibition for community imagination + creation

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

seeding change community dream altar

artist, hannah mack, with the ALTAR adorned with dreamy dreams from the DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE signing event, aug 2026 @ FDR Park

the SEEDING CHANGE COMMUNITY DREAM altar is a living, breathing art piece that reflects our collective imagination

philadelphia community member share their dreams for a better future on the altar
community members make various native flowers during trash-art workshops to adorn the altar
by next year, the altar will become a whole field of community-made wildflowers and dreams
dreams will be catalogued, synthesized, & mapped to local organizations & mutual aid groups doing the work of our dreams

together, we’ll be the visionaries who actively build the world in which we most want to live!

WHAT’S YOUR DREAMIEST DREAM FOR A REGENERATIVE, INTERDEPENDENT FUTURE?

community trash-art workshops

we've moved the practice of making art from trash out of hannah’s studio and into community, teaching folks how to use discarded materials to make various philly-native wildflowers. the flowers adorn the SEEDING CHANGE DREAM ALTAR.

each workshop will feature a different wildflower that has its own unique healing energies, opening pathways for our dreamy dreams to come alive.

interested in inviting a workshop to your event? reach out at gotf.philly@gmail.com

how can you support the project?

make a donation to help expand our impact

DONATE

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

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

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 Philly-based artist, facilitator, and program developer who ushers 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 future where everyone’s needs and dreams are honored 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