Artist Statement: The two mixed media artworks I created for the Cherryland Community Center form a narrative about the Meek Estate and the setting of Cherryland during the mid-1800s when the agricultural community flourished with the growing of cherry, plum, orange, and almond trees. The artworks consist of individual scraps of plywood and wood pieced together like a puzzle. Images of the Meek Mansion, old farm equipment, illustrations of fruit, and maps of the area are laser etched into plywood or Xerox-transferred to wood. Various pieces of screenprinted plywood are interspersed and create a sense of nostalgia. I also included dimensional elements such as a saw handle, a picture frame, architectural molding, shelving paper, and painted placards of an apple and flower.

I would like to acknowledge the Hayward Area Historical Society for providing information, documents, and images which were instrumental in creating the artworks.