Vermont Outdoor Art Installation is Coming Back—in a New Form for Fall

art and community rooted in place, collaboration, and the turning of the seasons

I’m excited to share that my Sacred Circle series is returning this fall—with a new form, a new collaboration, and a new chance to connect with this work in the place it was born.

If you followed along last year, you might remember the outdoor art installation at Spirit in Nature paths in Ripton, Vermont. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the event that launched this series was a career highlight for me--I've never met so many wonderful and thoughtful people as those who showed up to this exhibition in the woods during peak fall foliage.

The creation of the Sacred Circle series was a leap of faith for me--I'd never used so many botanical pigments in such quantity before, and I was uncertain about how they would be received. The battle between "Fine Art" and "Land Art" was raging in my mind. Would anyone understand what I was trying to do?

One by one, group by group, people showed up to the community fire circle at the center of the exhibition. Some arrived by accident, simply out for a hike on a beautiful fall day, only to be stopped in their tracks by an artist showing paintings neatly framed and matted in white, under glass, hung on trees as if they were museum walls. Others came from miles away, drawn in by a unique idea that promised beautiful colors both from the leaves and from the artwork. One by one we met, we shared a moment, and connected to each other and to the world around us.

This fall, I’m remounting the series as a selection of limited edition hand-embellished prints. These archival-quality prints preserve the rich color of the originals and are each reworked by hand—layered with the natural pigments that inspired them. They’re part memory, part new creation.

The exhibition will begin with a one-day Vermont Outdoor Art Installation on the Spirit in Nature trail, just before the fall equinox on September 14th, 2025. If you’ve never experienced art in the forest, I truly hope you’ll come. It’s a gentle, meditative way to take in the work—and to step into the landscape that helped shape it. I'll be there starting at 3 p.m., giving artist demonstrations speaking with visitors. Come enjoy some art, laid-back conversation, and tea by the fire!

Then at 6 p.m., Spirit in Nature (SpIN) will host their annual Fall Equinox Gathering, a reflective, family-friendly event inviting you to walk a lantern-lit path to the Sacred Circle. Once gathered, we'll share poems and intentions. Mira will share an artistic meditation (materials provided) so that you can create your own visual interpretation of the shared moment. There’s a quiet power to these gatherings—no matter your faith or background, you’re welcome to come, sit, listen, and just be. Bring something to share; bring something to give to the fire. We'll close the evening with a singing bowl.

After the trail event, my framed prints will move indoors to The Congregational Church of Middlebury, UCC (MiddUCC), where they will be on view throughout the following month in partnership with the Art in Unity group.

I'm deeply grateful for this collaboration. Both SpIN and MiddUCC are committed to nurturing community, connection, and reflection—and my hope is that through this exhibition, we can continue the beautiful conversations we started last fall.

For me, this Vermont Outdoor Art Installation is about cycles. Seasonal cycles, creative cycles, and the way art can return to a place and still offer something new. I hope you’ll be part of it.

With gratitude,

-Mira

Artist, Growing In Process

P.S.--If you’d like to see the new hand-embellished prints before the exhibition opens, make sure you’re signed up for my Earth & Easel newsletter. I send behind-the-scenes photos along with other inspiration to newsletter subscribers each month!