July 27, 2022

Artist Janelle Rae’s Meditation Hut

I’m so pleased to introduce our new installation made by artist Janelle Rae!

Janelle, a former Artist in Residence at Spring Bird, wanted to construct a place for meditation using invasive honeysuckle and willow. She was inspired by artist Patrick Dougherty who makes large stick-built sculptures and was desiring to work with natural materials.

Janelle and I met at Spring Bird a few months ago to choose a location for the installation. After walking the property, we found ourselves standing in the North (Blue Bench) Meadow gazing at the old Oak that commands that open space. The meadow happens to have a little inlet or alcove on one side, and this is where Janelle decided to build her Medication Hut. It seemed like the perfect little place for something to reside.

Janelle used honeysuckle, harvested from Spring Bird -we unfortunately have a limitless source, and willow. The willow we grow in our forest garden, and there is also a fallen willow tree that still sends up shoots as it lays over the creek. After creating a frame anchored into the ground, she used basket weaving techniques to fill in the sides.

On several of the working mornings, Janelle had a silent collaborator – a deer and fawns! The deer was so sweetly watching from the shaded woods when I visited Janelle.

Finally, Janelle created a windchime and a pathway inviting visitors to enter, sit, and gaze at the sun and sky. I think we’ve already had guests to Spring Bird who have done so – even during its construction.

Please stop by and visit it next time you are here. Oh, and Janelle sanctions future visitors to be part of the construction if you have something to add to it – a token or an offering. She expects this structure to grow, decay, and change with its use and as it is exposed to the elements.