CYDNEY ROSS

BIO Cydney Ross (she/they) was raised throughout the Greater Kansas City area, and has set down roots in Kansas City, Missouri with her three cats. She earned a BFA in ceramics from Kansas City Art Institute in 2013. No matter the material, their creative expression embraces ephemerality, risk-taking, and care. Cydney has always had a naturalist spirit. Her earliest memories include hiking, paddling Missouri rivers, camping with her family, and gardening with her mom. Their endless curiosity, stewardship for the earth, and background in the arts inspires folks to connect with nature and shift their perspectives of what we find conventionally beautiful. Cydney proudly leads LGBTQ+ inclusive nature programs throughout the Kansas City area and is a self-proclaimed “native plant nerd.” They are the Outdoor Education Manager for Deep Roots, a non-profit who advocates for the appreciation and understanding of native landscapes. Cydney is a public speaker who teaches native gardening and leads guided naturalist hikes across the Midwest.

NATURAL INK PAINTINGS Hiking through woodlands and prairies brings me immense joy - especially when I can share the experience with someone. Ethically foraging materials and transforming them into inks deepens my connection with nature. Imagery is inspired by clusters of leaves, textures of bark, and reflections on water. I embrace ephemeral moments with the changing seasons. Rather than making representational work, I capture the fleeting essence of my inspiration.

OUTDOOR EPHEMERAL SCULPTURES Utilizing clay, soil, native seeds, and natural materials I build outdoor sculptures that come from and return to the earth over time. The intention of these sculptures is to interpret regional habitats and the wildlife that depend on them while contributing to native land restoration practices.

CERAMIC SCULPTURES My interest in buildings is inspired by the urban and rural structures that surround me in my Midwestern hometown and travels. I’m intrigued by structures being built, torn down, or that have faced massive destruction. The contrast of natural and built environments guide forms and surface exploration. As an environmentalist it’s important for me to communicate the lasting impact our actions have on the earth in the form of climate change and other environmental issues.

Though utilizing calculated building methods, an element of spontaneity occurs throughout the making process, particularly when the rules of chemistry and gravity come into play. These forces aid in depicting the passage of time that follows all things. I employ unconventional ceramic processes including intentionally over-firing or freezing and thawing sculptures to encourage swaying, slumping, and collapsing.