“My four-year-old daughter saw her first butterfly and was terrified." – Lawndale Art Center patron, 2022.
This remark, shared during one of my Symbiosis artist talks at the Lawndale Art Center, sparked Passionate for Pre–K. Imagining a generation untouched by the gentleness and fragility of wings—this is a sorrow too heavy to bear—and do nothing.
Wildlife plays a vital role in early childhood brain development. At the very least, let each school day begin with a procession past living poetry: vines sculpted in fragrant blossoms of lemon honey, trembling with the promise of caterpillars, alive with the fragile ballet of butterflies. Each child develops in the company of nature’s intelligence.
With small acts of passion, this is within reach.
DESCRIPTION
Passionate for Pre–K is a living social sculpture installed in the fall of 2025 on the chain-link fences surrounding the playground at Clemente Martinez Elementary School in Houston, Texas. I sourced 90ish Texas native vines from my three living sculptures: Symbiosis at the Lawndale Art Center, Deeper Than That at a private residence, and Sequel, located next to my art studio in Acres Homes. Passion vines are highlighted in the mix. Sourcing from multiple locations supports the DNA diversity of the ecosystem. Hope Stone and landscape architect Caroline Craddock are coordinating this installation with the school administration.
THE PROCESS
Taking tender 10-inch vine cuttings, using root stimulator and native leaf mold to propagate the plants. I am selecting 90 plants of different species to support a variety of wildlife and accommodate different growing seasons. The school community assisted with the planting in early October.
LONG-TERM GOAL
As ecological knowledge from Symbiosis has taken root in Deeper Than That, which has grown into Sequel, the hope is that Passionate for Pre-K will act as a catalyst. Annually, new tendrils—carefully propagated—will be gifted from Clemente Martinez Elementary School to neighboring schools, allowing the spirit of regeneration to spread from playground to playground, blossoming into a living legacy of wonder and natural intelligence.
PLANT LIST
May pop, Passiflora Incarnata
Stinking Passion vine Passiflora foetida
Various proven Passion vine hybrids.
Trumpet honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens
Hairy clustervine, Jacquemontia tamnifolia
Muscadine grape, Vitis rotundifolia
American wisteria, Wisteria frutescens
Crossvine, Bignonia capreolata
Carolina jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens
COLLABORATION
Passionate for Pre-K is a collaboration with Hope Stone, Caroline Craddock and the Clemente Martinez Elementary School community.
I am extremely thankful for this opportunity, which wouldn't exist without Hope Stone, Caroline Craddock and the incredible volunteers.