Beall examined lichens and ferns from the woods under a microscope and rendered them larger than life using hand-knitting, paper mache, and other mixed media.  She also led a nature journaling workshop for youth from The Porch 7th Ward Cultural Center.

Karen Rich Beall earned a B.F.A. in Ceramics from the University of Florida, and an M.F.A. in Sculpture from the University of Tennessee.  Beall then moved to Atlanta where she worked as the Public Art Assistant for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.  Beall currently teaches Ceramics and Sculpture as an adjunct instructor of art at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania.

“Since my work is based in the natural world it was an obvious bonus to have the idyllic wooded environment to study and to use as source material. I was just beginning to study lichens in my work and discovered they are indicators of environmental distress. Having Dave Baker on staff to take me through the woods and answer my questions was an additional benefit. This residency was a perfect fit for my needs.” – Karen Rich Beall