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< Back Stevie Love Featured Structure Artist Challenging herself to explore and adopt new art forms, contemporary artist Stevie Love has expanded her creative practice by taking on the role of adobe builder. In 2001, after attending a four-day workshop at Southwest Solar Adobe School in Bosque, New Mexico, Love and her husband Dr. Bruce Love decided to build their very own adobe house in Juniper Hills, California overlooking the Mojave Desert. Architecturally, the concept of an adobe house is an ancient building technique common amongst historic civilizations in the Americas and the Middle East. The term “adobe” is Spanish for mudbrick or Arabic for brick. Honoring the traditional techniques of adobe building, Love and a small crew hand-sculpted each brick and structural element of her adobe home. Throughout the seven years Love constructed her adobe home, she photo-documented the turbulent yet immersive experience constructing the home, as photographs displayed in this exhibition. From laying the foundation to picking tiles, the Loves put in a great amount of research and effort in building an authentic yet personalized adobe house. When building the foundation, walls and overall base structure of their adobe dream home, Love committed to only using materials within walking distance from the building site. Love also made sure to align the structural orientations of the house with the Earth and sky axis, taking the seasons into account just as the first adobe builders once did. Furthermore, throughout the Love house, one finds design components from a diverse and international pool of influences. For instance, the threshold to enter the structure is fashioned with ancient wooden doors from India. As visitors cross the entryway, they are met with an alcove (a small nook or cut-out in the wall), the Loves decorated with saints and angels to protect all who enter the home. In the master and guest bath one finds Japanese and coin tiles, fossils, and Chinese half-boulder sinks. In the Loves adobe residence, the list of obscure decor goes on — every cranny, cabinet, and doorway in-between tells a unique story. Outside of hand-building her own adobe home, Stevie Love is well known for her self-declared addiction to acrylic paint and its ability to create autonomous forms. She is widely recognized for her paint-sculpture hybrids, inspired by intense energy, nature, visual culture, and open experimentation. Love earned her Bachelor of Fine Art degree from California State University, San Bernardino and her Master of Fine Art degree from Claremont Graduate University. Her work has been featured in private and public spaces across the United States, Asia, and Europe and can be found in the permanent collections of the Lancaster Museum of Art and History, Lancaster, CA, and the Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, CA. Previous Next

Destiny Solis < Back Stuck By Destiny Solis I am stuck in this grove nowhere to go Surrounded by the ones who I adore But I still feel cold like so Life doesn’t tailor I sit here feeling this aglow But for some reason that doesn’t satisfy my fervor I am still stuck in this slum of sorrow Smile and stare at my sage beauty But if only they know how it felt Being stuck in a loop of continuity Wondering why no one has come to help I miss the laughs and smiles Now all I hear are the roars For now, I will wait awhile Pinsha my dashing liberator I finally feel the sun within Previous Next

Aili SchmeltzCairn 24Informed by the environmental, philosophical, and architectural histories of the American West, artist Aili Schmeltz creates sculptures and wall-hung works that combine painting, collage, embroidery, and ceramics. Her practice stems from a fascination of the desert landscape, research into feminist history, and an examination of the politics and utopian ideology associated to the development, destruction, and conservation of the West. < Back Aili Schmeltz, Cairn 24 Detail Aili Schmeltz, Cairn 24 Detail Aili Schmeltz, Cairn 24 Studio Angle Aili Schmeltz, Cairn 24 Detail 1/7 Aili Schmeltz Cairn 24 Informed by the environmental, philosophical, and architectural histories of the American West, artist Aili Schmeltz creates sculptures and wall-hung works that combine painting, collage, embroidery, and ceramics. Her practice stems from a fascination of the desert landscape, research into feminist history, and an examination of the politics and utopian ideology associated to the development, destruction, and conservation of the West. Schmeltz’s Cairn sculpture series employs architectural structural elements from Brutalist, Utopic, and Modernist traditions and echo the igneous rock and native plants of California’s Mojave Desert. The sculptures are a culmination of simplified and abstracted architectural motifs combined with the rough and weathered textures of earthenware. These elements are stacked and notched together, intertwining the architectural ideas of optimism with an awareness of the raw and unrefined elements that provide the material make-up of the work, creating objects that appear as hybrid futuristic relics. Previous Next

Experiences Hotels & Restaurants N ear MOAH Marriott Residence Inn Settle in at Residence Inn Lancaster, our extended-stay hotel located two miles from downtown. Built on a mixed-use space, the brand-new hotel places you near upscale apartments, trendy restaurants and bars, and of course, MOAH. (Click the link below to book, at a discounted rate.) Learn More Best Western PLUS Desert Poppy Inn Settle in at Best Western Desert Poppy Inn Lancaster, our hotel located two miles from downtown. The hotel offers c omplimentary daily breakfast buffet, an open b ar in evenings (Mon-Fr i, 5 PM-9 PM), h igh speed internet access, m ini refrigerators and microwaves in each room, an o nsite business center, a f itness center, a Sundry shop, and an o utdoor pool and spa. (Click the link below to book, at a discounted rate.) Learn More Destination Lancaster Destination Lancaster is the official tourism bureau and destination marketing organization for the Antelope Valley. They help promote local attractions, special events and unique experiences found throughout the AV. Visit their site to help plan your night out in Lancaster. Learn more Don Sal's Delicious Mexican food prepared with love. This restaurant is a family and community favorite and we believe one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Antelope Valley (Yelp agrees). Learn More > Things To Do Near MOAH Sassy Bird Specializing in Nashville-Style hot chicken, Sassy Bird is a Lancaster staple. Enjoy a Sassy Sando or one of their delicious sides. Learn More > Modern Tea Room "A modern take on an ancient beverage." Modern Tea Room offers a wonderful assortment of hand-crafted and artisanal teas and cafe-style sandwiches. Something for everybody. Learn More > Lucky Luke Brewery Lucky Luke's focuses on the art of quality craft beer and the great people brought together by it. They brew their beers with a passion for every element and process that brings these hand-crafted beers to your palette. Learn More > Bravery Brewing Founded in 2011, Bravery Brewing is a micro-brewery that crafts adventurous, memorable, and delicious beers for their community. Learn More > Complexity Wine Complexity Wine has let their love of wine and quality ingredients lead them down a ten year journey into learning and enjoying everything wine has to offer. Learn More > Olive's Cafe Olives Mediterranean Café makes customers’ satisfaction a priority in our daily cooking, serving, and catering needs. Dine in, take out, or have it catered straight to your home or office. Learn More > FloraDonna's Cakery In 2018, FloraDonna's opened up their very own shop on Lancaster Blvd. They provide wonderful baked goods for their customers. Learn More > Caramel Pastries Establishes in 2006, Caramel Pastries provides a wonderful selection of hand-made baked goods and sweets. Learn More >

back to list Laurence Vallieres Laurence Vallières is an artist from Québec, Canada; who primarily uses cardboard boxes for the creation of her art work. With her works, she actively campaigns for animal welfare and dedicates herself to the topic of social injustice.

Martin Bozikovic < Back Untitled-MB By Martin Bozikovic June 16, 2026 I believe my research is getting close to my goal. I’ve realized that the artificial brain that I give my subjects is not large enough in capacity to emulate the brain of a human. I feel as though my technology is far too limited to achieve a grandiose goal like this, one that has no real purpose… but I must continue my research. For the sake of the plants. Perhaps the purpose of this experiment lies more in their own survival than something that should be tested on. But even still, the results are so mind-numbingly disappointing that it becomes more and more difficult to continue this experiment. June 19, 2026 Some of the subjects seem promising. There is a cactus that seems to be dealing with the implants well. Some of the other plants melted on contact with this newfound power. Perhaps their bodies are too underdeveloped for this kind of science. It is difficult to imagine what a conscious plant would act like, given that it cannot emotions in the same way we humans can. I can only hope that they will respond to what is told to them. The cactus seems to notice when it is spoken to, and I had Jerry speak to it from different angles to see if it produced different reactions. Upon analyzing its bodies, the activity in the plant cells was much higher for a short period of time immediately after it was spoken to. This activity was found in areas that were towards the angle from which my colleague spoke to it. I believe this is the start of a breakthrough. June 22, 2026 It seems as though only certain types of plants will be able to physically handle the processes that we are subjecting them to. It seems that flowers and other delicate plants cannot handle these processes, perhaps due to their frail and thin leaves and stems. Thicker plants, such as small trees and, of course, cacti, seem to be able to withstand these conditions better. I will have to heavily modify the plant’s body in order to get a level of consciousness that responds in a meaningful way. Because the process calls for an implant of a massive memory drive, which itself is connected to a computer, I will need to create small stimulus programs to test on the plant. Perhaps I can subject the plant to small amounts of pain and record its reaction. This must be done with caution, however, as the plant is likely already suffering through its current condition, and any more could potentially kill it. June 29th, 2026 The plant is beginning to respond to the stimulus programs. I believe that with further development of these programs and some sort of mobile aid for the plants, they could become as conscious as a human. This will aid their survival rates as they will be able to move and understand when they are in danger, in addition to potentially revealing its defensive tactics when necessary. Previous Next

Rental FAQ How do I reserve a date for my event? You may reserve a date for your event upon completing the required application agreement. The application agreement may be sent to you via email or you may pick one up anytime during regular business hours. After completing the application a deposit is required to reserve the date. Reservations are first come first serve. Must be booked at least 45 days in advance. Is my security deposit refundable? Yes, your security deposit is refundable IF you leave the facility as found or IF you cancel your event 45 DAYS prior to the event. Is my security deposit included in my rental price? NO, your security deposit is separate from your rental price and is refundable IF the requirements are fulfilled. How much time do I have to set-up for my rental? Your set-up time is from the time your rental begins and ends. Example rental 5pm-12am your set-up time will begin at 5pm. Can I have food and drinks at my event? To preserve the integrity of the exhibit spaces and ensure a clean and secure environment, food and beverages are not permitted in the galleries. However, guests are welcome to enjoy food and drinks on the third-floor rooftop, where such accommodations are available. Am I allowed to have a BBQ or Grill at my party? We have a NO open flame policy. Including but not limited to bbq’s, grill’s, candles, etc…Hot Plates are permitted. Can I put up an awning shade or umbrellas? No Can I have alcohol at my event? Yes, Alcohol may be served only if customer provides an outside Liability Insurance Certificate of at least up to 1 million dollars. The event must have a person serving alcohol with their ABC(Alcohol and Beverage Control) license. A Ranger will be required at an additional cost. I am a business do I need to provide my own separate insurance? Yes How far in advance can I make a reservation? You may make a reservation up to one year in advance. How many tables do you have? 10 - (5ft) round tables, 11 - (6ft) rectangular tables and 10 - (8ft) rectangular tables How many chairs do you have? We have 120 black fabric chairs with silver lining for Lantern Room rentals. 100 folding white resin chairs for Cedar Hall, ECIC, and the WHM Patio. Do you provide wi-fi? Yes, Wi-fi is available for an additional $28.00 Can we use MOAH logo on our invitations? NO, you may use the address. Will MOAH staff be available to help set-up? NO, after agreeing on a tables/chairs set up for your event MOAH staff will already have the setup upon arrival to MOAH. Prohibited items: Open flames, fireworks, confetti, glitter, water balloons, and fog machines.

Back to Exhibitions The Precarious Life of the Parol January 31 - April 19, 2026 • Past Exhibition Joseph Stello Family and Jewel Box Galleries Textile sculptures and installations celebrating Filipinx heritage while tracing the complex, often obscured colonial history of the parol , a traditional star lantern. Part of Metaphor exhibition season Image Credit: Diane Briones Williams, Anting, Anting (detail), 2021, Salvaged wooden frames, cement, wire, dowel, yarn, resin, acrylic, sinigang seasoning wrappers Courtesy of the Artist About the Artist Big Title I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

The Exhibition Census Block Map #countmein Blog photo gallery Artists in Residence Videos About the Census Every 10 years, the U.S. Census counts every resident in the nation. A complete and accurate count of California’s population is essential to the state. The Lancaster Museum of Art and History and the neighborhoods which immediately surround the Museum, historically, have had high Low Response Scores (LRS). Neighborhoods with Low Response Scores typically go undercounted and remain underrepresented and underfunded. For the first time, the Census participation will be conducted primarily through online self-responses instead of hard copy mailing efforts. This change has the potential to drastically impact state and county funding. Many critical factors can be barriers to participation in the Census including education, race, languages spoken, poverty level, homelessness, immigration status and level of trust. The Lancaster Museum of Art and History believes that change happens at the speed of trust. The Museum has found the best way to build trust between an organization and its community, breaking down these barriers, is by embedding artists who reflect the communities in which they live and work, who look the same and speak the same language. Through a series of workshops, community gatherings, candid photography, and a public exhibition, the artists-in-residence will increase the self-enumerated responses of these identified Low Response Score (LRS) neighborhoods in the 2020 Census. This is especially important for areas like the Antelope Valley. In the Antelope Valley, approximately 101,320 people are living in Hard to Survey (HTS) Block Groups. The Museum of Art and History and the neighborhoods that immediately surround the Museum are designated as Very High or High Low Response Score (LRS) neighborhoods. The Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation (LMPAF), the Museum of Art and History and the City of Lancaster believe that organizations and community leaders must be proactive, educating, encouraging and empowering residents to participate in the Census! Generously sponsored by Housing Corporation of America #CountMeIn Photo Videos #CountMeIn Videos Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied #CountMeIn Photo Gallery Spotlight Cafe Book Making Workshop Tote bag Screen Printing Workshop Chalk Drawing Engagement Artists’ Bookmaking On The BLVD Gallery Video #CountMeIn Census Block Map Below you will find a map of each neighborhood block group located in downtown Lancaster. Block groups can vary in size and population typically from 1,000 to over 3,000 people in any one block group. Block groups with “Very High” Low Response Scores (LRS) are seen in red; block groups with “High” Low Response Scores are seen in orange; and block groups with “Medium” Low Response Scores are seen in yellow. Block groups seen in green are regarded as having a “Low” Low Response Score. Do you live in one of these block groups? If so, what is level is your Low Response Score? #CountMeIn is working towards having each block group decrease their Low Response Scores by 10% or from “Very High” to “High,” “High” to “Medium” and “Medium” to “Low.” #CountMeIn Artist in Residence Robin Rosenthal has been developing creative place-keeping projects in the Antelope Valley since 2015, when she was commissioned Artist-in-Residence by the LA County Arts Commission for their NEA Our Town funded AV Art Outpost initiative (on which LMPAF was a partner). She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Real93543, an emerging local arts organization whose programming engages Littlerock and Southeast Antelope Valley residents in an arts-based process of strengthening local ownership and social connection—highlighting community-specific narratives through documentary media, educational programs, and public art. (See Real93543’s projects at www.real93543.org .) With a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA from Queens College, CUNY, Rosenthal taught studio art at San Antonio College and the San Antonio Art Institute, and exhibited her experimental videos nationally before coming to Los Angeles to work in film and television. Her award-winning documentary filmmaking practice, as half of the Littlerock-based Pony Highway Productions, draws from her background as an artist, educator, and motion picture industry professional, and informs her work in creative place-keeping. Short link to Positively Littlerock Story Map Tour: https://arcg.is/18X4D1 YouTube link to Real93543 In a Day video: https://youtu.be/ZzcDyJgwAsM Edwin Vasquez is a self-taught artist. Vasquez has studied with other notable Antelope Valley Artists and Teachers such as Glen Knowles, David Babb, Rich Sims and Warren Scherich. Over the years, Vasquez has been featured in several group exhibitions including the State Latin American Visual Arts in Rhode Island (where his work was recognized by Governor Lincoln D. Chafee), Communication at Casa 0101 in Los Angeles, Don’t Sleep! at the Latino Art Museum in Pomona and is a regularly selected artist in Lancaster’s Museum of Art & History’s annual All-Media Juried Art Exhibition. Vasquez has participated, as both an Artist and Curator, in numerous local exhibitions. Vasquez was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala in 1964. Jane Szabo is a Los Angeles based fine art photographer with a Master of Fine Arts from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Her work investigates issues of self and identity. Using self-portraiture and still life as a vehicle to share stories from her life, her work merges her love for fabrication and materials, with conceptual photography. Szabo brings many facets of visual art into her photographic projects, incorporating sculptural, performance and installation elements into her work, and her imagery is often infused with humor and wonder. Szabo's background in the film industry, creating props and miniatures for theme parks, and overseeing set construction for film and television, undoubtedly informs her creative process. #CountMeIn Events Calendar #CountMeIn: A Census 2020 Project Friday, July 19 , 2020, 6 - 9PM 44857 Cedar Ave, Lancaster, CA 93534 Join the #CountMeIn team for its first official project workshop happening this Friday during Spotlight Cafe Open Mic Night beginning at 6 pm. The #CountMeIn team will be onsite asking participants to generate poetry/prose using the words "count," "me," and "in." These works can then be shared with an audience, letting them and your community know that our community matters and that you deserve to be counted on the upcoming Census. This project is generously supported in part by the California Art Council, City of Lancaster and the Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation. #CountMeIn: Census 2020 Book-Making Workshop Saturday, August 3, 2020, 3 - 6 PM 742 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA 93534 Join the #CountMeIn team at Li'l Book Bug on the BLVD for a fun bookmaking workshop. This workshop will utilize Census 2020 as inspiration to create a collaborative art book. The #CountMeIn team will be onsite leading participants through the creative process. All materials will be provided. These works can then be shared with an audience, letting them and your community know that our community matters and that you deserve to be counted on the upcoming Census. Artist-in-Residence, Jane Szabo, will be onsite photographing interested participants while they create the books. This project is generously supported in part by the California Art Council, City of Lancaster and the Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation. #CountMeIn: Tote Bag Screen Printing Workshop Thursday, October 24, 2020 4 - 9 PM 665 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA 93534 Join the #CountMeIn Team for its next #CountMeIn, A Census 2020 Project, Screen Printing Workshop! Taking place in the Fran and Hernando Marroquin Family Classroom, participants can grab a tote bag, or bandana, and impress upon them Census-minded artwork. Take the tote bag with you as peruse the great, organic food at The BLVD Farmer's Market! This project is generously supported in part by the California Art Council, City of Lancaster and the Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation. #CountMeIn: Chalk Drawing Engagement Saturday, December 7, 2020 2:30 PM Sacred Heart Church - 565 W. Kettering Street The #CountMeIn team invites the Families of Sacred Heart Catholic Church to participate in an afternoon of chalk drawing. Chalks and other materials will be provided for families to create their own colorful drawings on the asphalt, in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. During the event, the #CountMeIn team will share information about the upcoming 2020 Census and the value of being counted. #CountMeIn: Artists’ Bookmaking Saturday, January 25, 2020 11 AM - 3 PM 44857 Cedar Ave, Lancaster, CA 93534 On Saturday, January 25th the #CountMeIn Team invites a group of Antelope Valley artists to the Andrew Frieder Creative Space at MOAH:Cedar to make pages for a collaborative, accordion-fold art book, using the letters of the words #CountMeIn, and referencing inclusion, being counted, community, etc. The resulting artists’ book will be shown as part of MOAH’s #CountMeIn exhibit. Artists will have access to materials in the well-stocked Andrew Frieder Creative Space, and can bring materials and mediums from their own practice as well. #CountMeIn #CountMeIn2020 #CountMeInAV #Census2020 #LancasterMOAH Map Artist in Residence Calendar #CountMeIn Resources The Exhibition www.census.gov www.advancementprojectca.org www.avph.org www.cityoflancasterca.org Resources

back to list Carlos Mendoza Carlos Mendoza is a local Antelope Valley artist who considers himself an art rebel, with his art style demonstrating a raw and free essence. Mendoza has been painting murals in the Antelope Valley for six years but he also works with acrylic, oils, wire, and whatever he can get his hands on. Mendoza utilizes the lack of public art in certain areas of the Antelope Valley inspiration as a driving force for his murals, often as a part of transformation projects for schools around the AV. For Mendoza, public art is an essential part of providing citizens a sense of pride in their community and giving youth a sense of hope for their future. Mendoza aspires to venture outside the Antelope Valley and paint murals in Mexico.

Desert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees September 7 - December 29, 2024 The Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH) has partnered with the Getty, and 70+ other organizations, for PST ART: Art & Science Collide . On Saturday, September 7, the Lancaster Museum of Art and History will open Desert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees , as part of the Getty PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative. The exhibition sheds light on the threatened Joshua tree and the fragile Mojave Desert ecosystem that sustains it. The project integrates natural history, indigenous knowledge, public policy, scientific research, and artistic expressions to emphasize the challenges facing the Joshua tree and conservation efforts. With a focus on the impact of climate change, development, wildfires, and other threats, the exhibition explores the symbiotic relationships between Joshua trees, soil fungi, and moth pollinators, engaging a diverse audience interested in arts and environmental issues. Desert Forest features more than 50 historical and contemporary artists who have produced artworks that exemplify a range of ideas across myriad practices. The exhibition will remain on view from Saturday, September 7, 2024 to Sunday, December 29, 2024. Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART, returns in September 2024 with more than 70 exhibitions from museums and other institutions across the region, all exploring the intersections of art and science, both past and present. Dozens of cultural, scientific, and community organizations will join the latest edition, PST ART: Art & Science Collide , with exhibitions on subjects ranging from ancient cosmologies to Indigenous sci-fi, and from environmental justice to artificial intelligence. Art & Science Collide will share groundbreaking research, create indelible experiences for the public, and generate new ways of understanding our complex world. PST ART is presented by Getty. For more information about PST ART: Art & Science Collide , please visit pst.art Sant Khalsa, Curator and Juniper Harrower, Associate Curator Featuring contemporary artworks by Linda Alterwitz, Marthe Aponte, Madena Asbell, Nancy Baker Cahill, Diane Best, Darin Boville, Matthew Brandt, Fred Brashear Jr, Bill Leigh Brewer, Claudia Bucher, Bureau of Linguistical Reality, Gerald Clarke, Maryrose Crook, Torreya Cummings, James M Dailey, Scott B. Davis, Department of Floristic Welfare, Dani Dodge, Edgar Fabián Frías, Rob Grad, Jennifer Gunlock, Juniper Harrower, Jessie Homer French, Christine Huhn, Monroe Isenberg, Adriene Jenik, Jetsonorama (Chip Thomas), Jenny Kane, Yulia Kazakova, Sant Khalsa, Casey Kiernan, Stevie Love, Rebecca Lowry, Meg Madison, Aline Mare, Chris McCaw, Paloma Menéndez, Eric Merrell, Chelsea Mosher, Daisuke Okamoto, Michelle Robinson, Cara Romero, Catherine Ruane, Ed Ruscha, Hiroyuki Seo, Kim Stringfellow, Ruth Wallen, Jennifer Valenzuela, and Danielle Giudici Wallis; and historical artworks by Sarah E. Blanchard, Ralph D. Cornell, E.O. Hoppé, Olive Jackson, Gerald D. Jeffers, Charles Koppel, Jane Pinheiro, Betty Warner and Carleton Watkins. COMMUNITY HUB Learn about the upcoming engagement events for Desert Forest: Life of Joshua Trees Learn more View our Digital Program Click the button to view our digital program and learn more about the exhibition and upcoming community hub events! View Digital Program Desert Forest Book Front Cover Mock Up Please note: The book pictured is a mock-up and may not represent the final product. Actual book design and features may vary. Desert Forest Book Mock-Up Inside Pages Please note: The book pictured is a mock-up and may not represent the final product. Actual book design and features may vary. Desert Forest Book Mock-Up Backside Please note: The book pictured is a mock-up and may not represent the final product. Actual book design and features may vary. Desert Forest Book Front Cover Mock Up Please note: The book pictured is a mock-up and may not represent the final product. Actual book design and features may vary. 1/3 NEW BOOK: Desert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees Explore the deeply entangled relationships between humans and Joshua trees in Desert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees —a captivating collection of essays and imagery that reveals how we can protect this iconic species from the threats of climate change and development. Shop Now Thank you to our sponsors! CREATIVE RESEARCH FUND REAL93543

Camille Murray < Back From an Oleanders View By Camille Murray The preschool kids have just now returned to school, disrupting my year of quietness given to me by the pandemic. The sound of basketballs bouncing and chains swinging and crashing into backboards. The clicking of skateboards and scooters going in and out of the cracks of the sidewalks. Women walk their babies, and families walk their new puppies. The sun is shining on everyone, giving the kids at the public pool sunburns. I can hear screams of happiness and see a handful of children sliding down slides and swinging on swings until the sight of the park gets blocked. I see a large figure sprinting towards me; the happiness in its face warns me that the figure is interested in me. I start shaking as the heavy footsteps approach me; leaves slowly fall from my branches, letting me know it was their time to go. The figure gets close enough to where I can see that it is one of the preschoolers who found a way to get out of the gated playground and past the supervision. The child collapses on her knees and examines my petals like a scientist. Her golden hair shines in the sun, and I can see each highlight of yellows and blonds flowing in the wind. The annoyance fills me up because I know she will pick my pink petals, and she does not know that I am poisonous to her. The sharp pain I experienced as a piece of my stem is pulled off, and the shocked look the girl had on her face after she felt the itchiness of the petals. She takes off running towards the gated playground and explains to her teachers that her fingers were red and puffy. A warning is spread around the preschool children about my dangerous presence, but it is not spread far enough throughout the park; someone new always finds me attractive and gets too comfortable with my looks. Previous Next