Floodplain Studios

10/09/2026

09/30/2026

So happy that Contemporary Craft is organizing a volunteer session at Floodplain Studios this Monday, 12noon-2pm! We will be planting a bunch of trees and shrubs to fill in space now that Japanese knotweed has been treated. Anyone is welcome to join -- just register at the EventBrite link below.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14nGeqiVFmx/

Join us on Monday of next week, to volunteer at a regional site that is dedicated to artistry and placemaking!

Monday, October 5 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM
1934 Harper St, McKeesport, PA

Floodplain Studios is an 8-acre stretch of wild land that sits between the Youghiogheny River and the GAP trail. “Adopted” by Faye Miller in August of 2024 with the goal of making a space that creates and encourages opportunities for art making with natural materials. This is done alongside the larger mission of restoring a once blighted space back to an ecologically sound one.

Volunteers will be removing invasive grasses, picking up trash along the trail and creek, planting some native trees and shrubs, and creating pathway borders of stone and tree branches.

Arrive by 11:45 AM, volunteering will begin at Noon. Please be sure to dress appropriately.

As we think about some of our prior exhibitions, such as Climate Awakening, we believe it’s important to continue to engage with our community. We hope that you’ll join us in the work of supporting this regional project.

Please register if you plan to participate:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2002559212512?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/12/2026

A great blue heron taking a bathroom break! The critter cam we set up where the creek meets the river indicates it is a popular spot for deer, raccoons, groundhogs and squirrels. But this is the first time a heron has made an appearance. I love how it so regally exits the frame when done.

08/10/2026

Set up a trail cam where the creek meets the river. Caught some playful deer and a family of raccoons!

08/07/2026

I am enamored of this tiny turtle I spotted while pulling stiltgrass out along the creek the other day. Can't get it out of my head for some reason. Maybe because it is a new creature for me -- apparently it is a spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera), and even though they are not rare, I don't recall having even seen or heard of one before. Also, so tiny! Though they can get large. And that little snout, and eyes! Like a cartoon character.

08/05/2026

We had a great work session on Monday. Five of us--including one new volunteer, as well as a friend who has more time and energy now that she just retired--efficiently cleaned up this space and created a log-lined path. We all enjoyed getting to know each other in the process.

We are gradually defining spaces throughout Floodplain Studios -- areas for gathering, exploring, creating, immersing oneself in peaceful quiet. Stay tuned for oportunities to join in future work sessions.

08/02/2026

Heavy rain, thunder and lightning now! So we are rescheduling today's session for tomorrow, Monday Aug. 3, 1pm-3pm. Come join us then! DM if you can make it.

07/31/2026

We had such lovely creative creek time last week, and I posted about it to Instagram, but for some reason am not able to copy the post directly to FB. So here is a link to the Instagram reel about it!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbUwCP0tTbJ/?igsh=b2diYmI0b3p5dHRu