SOUL
SOUL invites reflection on how we rise above life’s thickets to see beyond complicated emotions. Its burnt-orange surface recalls sunrise and sunset, hinting at the weathering of body and spirit in a changing world. Horizontal elements suggest life’s horizon of choices.
“Man is the expression of Soul….” —Mary Baker Eddy
SOUL, one of eight site-specific ceramic installations at Dow Gardens | May 2025 – April 2026
The world today is overflowing with emotion; our faith is challenged. What are we doing with the feelings aroused? How do we create motion, movement forward, when intense emotions seem to hold us stuck in one point of view? How do we fulfill the promise of a better future?
This sculpture is part of Nature, Energy, & Reflection, a year-long installation exploring the quiet dialogue between clay, breath, and place. Each piece was created in response to a specific site within the Gardens and is paired with a guided meditation to deepen connection and awareness. Together, the works invite visitors to tune into the subtle energies of the natural world—and the resonance within.
Location: Wildflower Meadow
About Dow Gardens
Nestled in the heart of Midland, Michigan, Dow Gardens is a living sanctuary of cultivated beauty and wild serenity. Spanning over 100 acres, the Gardens offer a rich landscape of woodlands, streams, meadows, and meticulously tended beds that shift with the seasons.
More than just a botanical garden, Dow Gardens is a place of deep sensory engagement—where art, nature, and reflection converge. It serves as a canvas for Helen’s current site-specific installation, allowing her work to integrate with the rhythms of the natural world and offer visitors an experience that is both grounding and expansive.
Dow Gardens is open year-round and welcomes all who seek quiet wonder, beauty, and connection.