My thesis exhibition creates an interactive space, inviting people into conversation about trees and the environment. Some of my earliest memories are of exploring the white pine forest that surrounded our home in rural Rhode Island. Later, I became a professional log roller, performing in lumberjack shows around the country and competing in the Lumberjack World Championships. This is where I have met some of the strongest advocates of forest management and protection. These sports seem to attract people like me who derive tremendous energy from being in the presence of trees. I often take time to recharge by immersing myself in the woods. On most mornings, I can be found skiing or running in an urban forest, marveling in awe at the trees before coming to work in my studio. I employ my re-constructed trees to create an interactive environment for exploration both in the gallery and outside the windows. By placing “Temple Tree” outside, I am inviting viewers to venture outdoors in the presence of the Civil War era oak trees in front of the building. Texture, scale, color, as well as interactive pieces that invite viewers to touch, all bring viewers in for closer inspection and internal dialogue. Each viewer will have their own discovery and interpretation based on their personal experiences and memories of trees. Sculptures in this installation use techniques developed in my first three semesters at MCAD but in larger structural configurations. Each piece is a reflection of my thoughts and feelings as I have interacted with specific trees, their surroundings and people who care for them. Trees are amazing both in their scale and ability to live far beyond the lifetime of a person. Bronze and glass casting are both ancient techniques but some of the trees used for my molds may be even older. Bronze and glass are inherently strong and valuable like trees and the environment, yet they are all susceptible to destruction by human activities. The sculptures may be touched, gently. Website: hallettironworks.com Tags MCAD MFA 2024 MFA Thesis 2024