Kimberly Callas Biography: Kimberly Callas is a multimedia artist and sculptor whose work explores the relationship between humans and nature through the concept of the ecological self. She merges human forms with nature’s patterns using traditional techniques and emerging technologies like 3D printing with bio-filaments. Her Discovering the Ecological Self project, featured in The Huffington Post, has led to international workshops that foster deeper connections between individuals and the natural world. Recognized with awards such as the Pollination Project Grant and the Puffin Foundation Grant, her work has been exhibited globally, including at the CICA Museum in South Korea and the Pensacola Museum of Art. She is an Associate Professor of Art at Monmouth University and maintains studios in both Maine and New Jersey. In addition to her art practice, Callas has been deeply involved in sustainability efforts in Maine, where she and her family built an off-grid home using sustainable materials and practices. Her firsthand experience in ecological living informs her work, reinforcing themes of resilience, interconnectedness, and the urgent need for environmental consciousness. ___________________ Artist Statement: “The Climate Crisis is more than an environmental emergency; it is a crisis of meaning. As species, landscapes, and entire ecosystems disappear, science alone is not enough—we need a shift in consciousness. My work seeks to cultivate a symbolic awareness of our deep connection to nature, one that can help us reimagine belief systems that are life-sustaining. Through my art and social practice, I weave together specific places, species, and cultural archetypes, forming visual narratives that reflect our ecological identity. In my new series, Ocean Bodies, I incorporate symbols such as the Whale, Boat, Moon, and Horizon Line—references to both nature and larger mythological and psychological frameworks. While acknowledging the ocean’s role in climate regulation and biodiversity, I also see it as a symbol of the cosmos and the deep unconscious, a vast source of meaning that sometimes washes new insights onto the shore. Through this work, I aim to create spaces for reflection, connection, and ultimately, a reawakening of our ecological selves.”