JESSIE MERRIAM
— original artwork — public history — ecology — engagement and outreach —
Minneapolis, MN

jessiemerriam@gmail.com (art and history). jessie@thewestbank.org (west bank community archive)
merri711@umn.edu (Minnesota ecology and art)
@wheelbugs and @twin_cities_time_machine on instagram

Black and white ink drawing of a gentle creature with a sheep-like body, human face, and coral headress, sitting on a bed with an open blank book. Framed by black curtains with a kind of seascape or terrarium in the background.

Pen and ink illustration for The Hoosier Review literary magazine, Jessie Merriam

Merriam’s shadow puppet history show of early Minnesota/Cedar Riverside history. Cedar Riverside Time Machine, Cedar Cultural Center 2024 (featuring the North American ice age puppet).

PUBLIC HISTORY
Archival and oral history research, shadow Puppet history shows, “Time Machine” storytelling events, mobile museums and storymaps.
Masters in Heritage Studies and Public History, UMN 2023

Tree ring printing with local species at the Frogtown Climate Carnival, St. Paul MN.

ECOLOGY (through art and history!)
Community-Engaged Research Coordinator
Minneapolis/St. Paul Long Term Ecological Research program
University of Minnesota Center for Changing Landscapes
Rambles, Backyard Phenology, The Ways of Plants

International Bog Day puppet build and parade by Stephani Pescitelli (left), assisted by Jessie Merriam (right). With educational tables by the Quaking Bog Advocacy Committee. Quaking Bog, Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN. July 28, 2024.