STARTING ANEW

Since the Natural Heritage Art Centre fire in early 2023, my partner David Aichinger and I have felt a profound loss. Initially, we were drained and believed that our dreams of creating something meaningful had ended abruptly. However, as the smoke cleared and with encouragement from friends and neighbors, we began to view the situation as an opportunity to reimagine our vision.

After extensive discussions, we decided to move away from the traditional art center model and instead focus on creating immersive experiences led by professional teaching artists and naturalists. Our goal is to explore the intersection of art and ecology, which led to the establishment of Treehaus Studio. This learning studio was developed in partnership with The Acreage at Osceola, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that harnesses the transformative power of the arts, education, and environmental initiatives to promote positive change. The second phase of our initiative, Paddlefish Adventures, will serve as an outfitter, providing access to our region's most remarkable feature: the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

I will facilitate programming at Treehaus Studio, while David will manage Paddlefish Adventures. Together, we aim to provide unique experiences that help individuals connect with nature, unleash their creativity, and challenge them. Our goal is to create opportunities for fun, relaxation, and lasting friendships.

We look forward to adventuring with you!

Best,

Jessica Turtle