Starting by pressing a plant into paper and seeing what grows from that, I add bits from my dense “to do” lists that represent everyday life. Moments of wholeness created out of fragmentation result. I made a 2-part wall sculpture in my home. Lists and Dreams bridges the gap between my copious lists of daily obligations and my future hopes and ambitions. A 2-minute video of this installation can be seen at http://vimeo.com/36807008.

Nissa Kauppila was born and raised in the small, rural town of Monkton, Vermont, and her connection to art has always been informed by a sense of community. Though she earned her BFA at the Rhode Island School of Design far from the forests and fields of home, she has remained active in local arts organizations and events. Her passion for collaboration and community involvement has most recently led her towards receiving her M.Ed. from UVM; Kauppila currently teaches both in the Design/Technology and Social Studies departments at South Burlington High School.