Meet Shelby Silver | Ecological Artist & Intergenerational Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelby Silver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelby, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
It inspires contemplative conversation around subject content that impacts and affects us all, plastic marine debris. It draws a heart line, so to speak, from my own heart to yours, and to everyone else in the world. It is through my work as a multidisciplinary ecological artist, gerontology professional, sacred passage end of life doula and educator where I invite an exploratory perspective of plastic marine debris. I teach intergenerational creative conservation and ecological restoration primarily through the removal of plastic marine debris from our ocean and local beaches here in Oregon and Washington, and through its artistic application. It is truly remarkable to discuss our collective thoughts around these ocean plastics. I invite my co-learners to share their feelings in a non-judgmental atmosphere as so often there is no safe platform in which to hold these conversations. Discussion that can so often times be perceived as heavy and difficult, and while there are many areas of these talks that are both heavy and difficult, the idea is to examine the remains of plastic marine debris and ponder questions such as: where do we think they came from? How old do we think they are? What “lives” have they lived at sea and beyond? These questions and questions sparked out of these then get unpacked and connected to the very reality that our lives here are impermanent. These plastics are very likely older than some of us, and they will most likely outlive us all. When we peer into such aspects we are more likely to come away with a deeper more profound connection to our own humanity, and the humanity of others. We are more likely to view the spaces we occupy as worthy of not only our adoration, but our mindful, compassionate and loving protection.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Following our dreams usually means a passionate and wild dedication towards what we care about, eyes sparkling with a glimmer of optimism and shining hope for what we hold for ourselves and others. Being a dreamer isn’t an easy path, but it can be a rewarding path when we are in pursuit of service, and I am. I have dedicated my life to active stewardship and work that reflects such a life through my integrative multidisciplinary practice in ecological art. There is a lot of leg work involved, for example, I collect the plastic marine debris by hand directly from our Pacific Northwest coastline. I utilize reclaimed marine rope as well, most of which I have received through responsible partnerships with either other artists or organizations. The pieces I create range from painting with plastic marine debris, to basket sculptures, woven tapestries, earrings and making paper. Each piece telling a unique and truly one of a kind story of intertwining unity and our human experience along the aging journey. A story mirroring our incredible commonality as humans living with aging, impermanence and plastic. We live in a world that largely tries to hide all three, and masks the depth, beauty, and education to be had by learning from these stories that have traditionally been draped in fear. My approach invites us to unmask these shared human experiences through the lens of love, compassion and understanding. Fear is contracting, and when we are afraid it makes it next to impossible to want to interact or engage with the world around us, but when we shift from fear to love, well, there is no telling what we can collectively accomplish when we interact and engage with love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I reside with my partner Christopher upon the sacred traditional homelands of the Kalapuya people. We live in a diverse and culture rich community full of amazing humans, and opportunities to adventure here in Washington County Oregon. We are right between Mount Hood and the coast. My range of community spans this area and beyond up into Washington where I was born. Most of the time I go out with a budget friendly picnic lunch and find a spot that calls to me in the moment. Friends and I would more than likely do something along these lines and then splurge if/ when the time felt right. While there are many areas of my life that are structured, I like to play outings by ear in a more spontaneous way. For indoors, I like to check out the local book shops, record stores, cafe’s, thrift shops, galleries, museums, and breweries. For outdoors, I like to walk on the beach (looking for plastic marine debris), scuba dive, hike, or stroll through towns and their cemeteries. All of this to say, one of my most favorite things to do is make soul nurturing food for those I love and care for while talking about life and sitting by the fire at home. Many of my comrade’s are in equal lines of stewardship and service. We value and cultivate a spirit of rest where we can process the nature of our work together in open hearted and vulnerable conversation.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my partner Christopher whose undying support, dedication, and belief in me and the cause moves me to my core. I love and appreciate you.

Website: shelbysilver.com

Instagram: @shelbysilver.ecologicalart