Heather is passionate about exploring ways to enhance ecology in the urban environment and design with equity. Inspired by local materials and the potential of scale, her Master’s Project explored designing with mosses on 3D printed ceramic substrate through experimental design. During her graduate studies, she worked for an international research hub in sustainability and is inspired by global collaboration to understand landscape interdependencies. She has wide-ranging professional experiences working on K-12 schools  and regenerative agriculture projects  in Colorado. Her prior internships provided opportunities in assisting public art projects throughout Houston, Texas and residential projects in Scotland.

After graduating with a degree in Studio Art from St. Olaf College, Heather explored her interests while working at art museums and professional gardening throughout the Twin Cities. At the Northern Clay Center, she deepened her skills for ceramics at the Minnesota New Institute for Ceramic Education and produced large-scale, agricultural-inspired work that drew her to the MLA program at the University of Oregon. She received an ASLA Student Honor Award in Research for her Master’s Project and the Graduate Merit Award from the ASLA Oregon Chapter.

Continuing from her youth of exploring trails near her hometown in western Wisconsin, Heather enjoys weekend mountain hikes and skate skiing with her partner and dog in Colorado. Heather teaches wheel-throwing at a local ceramic studio and 3D prints work in clay. Year-round, she finds balance and restoration in yoga and retreating to remote hot spring destinations.