About The Show
Forest for the Trees
This body of work is an exploration of identity and relationship to oneself through a neurodivergent lens. The title of the show, Forest for the Trees, references the way I often find myself entangled in extraneous threads and tangents, so easily swept away by a boundless curiosity. That same innate need to learn and explore new perspectives is also responsible for my inability to be constrained to a single medium. Each has its own language and personality and nuances that alter how we perceive the pieces made with them. A longstanding relationship with loneliness, borne of a pervasive incongruity with modern life, catalyzed a lifelong pursuit for the means by which to communicate and connect, and to better understand the origin of misperception. These predominantly figural works are steeped in allegory, recontextualizing familiar narratives and using their visual language as avatars for the internal and imagined worlds I retreated into when reality became too dissonant - worlds where my otherness need not be a scarlet letter. With each piece I invite viewers to practice vulnerability and self-reflection, making room for the parts of themselves they find inadequate; what might it feel like for them to be met with forgiveness, or curiosity, or acceptance? As we illuminate that which our public façades belie, our multitudes become opportunities for validation and growth, rather than targets of derision.
Artist Bio
Laura Ellstrom (b. 1991) is a multidisciplinary artist and published illustrator currently based out of Columbus, Ohio. They use visual media of varying mediums and styles to communicate the internal emotional experiences of a queer, neurodiverse individual living in a chronically ill body, employing metaphor as a vehicle to explore the subconscious. Previously a member of NEXT Gallery in Denver, where she lived for fourteen years, her works have been exhibited and publicly displayed in Colorado, Ohio, and across the Western United States over the past decade. Beyond gallery shows and a number of publications, Laura’s creative endeavors have included murals, public sculptures, and graphics for film posters, album covers, small businesses, apparel, et al.
About The Show
Art has been a consistent presence in my life and plays a crucial role in my recovery journey.
For me, creating art serves as a therapeutic outlet and a means of full self-expression. I am passionate about breaking down the stigma surrounding artists in recovery and disabled artists.
The work produced by artists with these challenges can lead to social change. It's evident worldwide that when marginalized artists are given a platform, society gains insight into experiences that are often overlooked. This inclusion is vital in all artistic spaces, whether through opportunities to exhibit, sharing our narratives, or exploring museums and galleries at
our own pace.
Art continues to be a source of healing, therapy, and motivation for me. Reducing stigma is a key aspiration, and I believe it is achievable. I am currently involved in creative spaces that embrace and uplift artists with disabilities while promoting recovery through creativity.
Learning to recognize my self-worth and to love my craft has been a healing journey in itself. Additionally, acquiring the skill of self-advocacy is within our reach. It may take time, but once
we learn to advocate for ourselves, we possess one of the most powerful tools available. Advocating for others, whether through art or other means, fosters and heals community.
Nayyirah Waheed’s poem titled “Therapy,” which includes the line “Keep the rage tender,” inspires much of my work. I am able to channel my rage into a form of hope while understanding that embracing beauty and tenderness in life does not prevent me from being equally loud and fierce. The recovery community is an especially significant aspect of my life and artistic journey,
and I hope that a diverse audience from all walks of life can connect with and appreciate my work.
Artist Bio
Rebecca Gonzalez-Bartoli
I am an intuitive and expressive artist in recovery. I tell stories with my art using bright, eclectic colors, and whimsical themes. My art expresses joy and grief
through the lenses of animals, people, and words. Art has been a healing tool for me, and my goal is to spread that healing message with others. I’ve been able to share my artwork by participating in multiple shows and exhibits since moving to Columbus in 2016 and have found that community is an important part of my artistic storytelling. As a self-taught artist, I create my work by using acrylic paint, collage, and different mixed-media techniques and mediums. My goal is to continue to grow my art career by using art to destigmatize those who live with mental illness.
About The Show
"Block by Block" is a community-focused photography initiative celebrating neighborhoods through exploration, storytelling, and collaboration. These images document my personal photographic exploration of my favorite places—one block at a time—capturing their story through architecture, history, and culture.
I combine traditional photography with both color and black-and-white infrared image capture, using a range of styles from long-exposure landscapes to split-second street photography. This approach allows me to share my unique perspective, blending realism with an unseen world—revealing the way I experience the places that resonate with me.
This work was generously funded by the Greater Columbus Arts Councils Artist Projects grant and is ongoing through fall of 2025. The project includes a series of photo walks of six blocks around Columbus open to all photographers.
Visit www.blockbyblockcbus.com or follow on Instagram at @blockbyblockcbus to learn more and participate!
Artist Bio
Aaron Sheldon is a photographer and arts educator from Columbus, Ohio. Whether his subject is documentary/street, editorial, architecture, or digital infrared photography, his work focuses on the impact of time on the world around him. He seeks unique ways to
share how he sees the world, whether in color, black and white, or surreal "false-color" Infrared. His images come from a craftsman's understanding of and connection to his tools, a firm grasp and appreciation of the science of light, and a lifetime of studying his environment and how people interact with it.
In addition to his photography, Aaron has spent the last 15 years mentoring other artists to help them develop through individual and group workshops, photo walks, and community arts programs focusing on building artistic vision and promoting/advocating for their art.
Aaron's photography has been published internationally in print, online, and by broadcast media outlets, including Instagram, CNN, USA Today, The Columbus Dispatch, and Vogue Italy.. In addition, his work has been licensed by and/or featured by brands including TARGET, Hampton Inn & Suites, OSMO, and Public Radio International (This American Life), and has been featured in solo and group exhibitions in Columbus, Ohio, New York City, and
Washington, DC.
