selected work
A selection of the movements, artworks, events, and creative communities I’ve helped build and support.
01 / culture & community
burning man
minister of propaganda · thirteen years on the core organizing team
I helped develop and carry out strategy through Burning Man’s rapid growth. My job was to keep a finger on the community’s pulse, understand what made it tick, and turn that understanding into communications, decisions, and operations.
community insight & cultural strategy
Learned the culture from within through participation, observation, and daily engagement with the community. Used that understanding to guide how Burning Man communicated and responded as it grew.
Formed the Burning Man Philosophical Center with Larry Harvey to examine the culture more deeply and explore how its lessons could apply beyond the playa.
the voice of burning man
Wrote Jackrabbit Speaks, Burning Man’s primary voice to its community, and served as editor-in-chief of the Burning Blog. Wrote or edited the organization’s public-facing content, shaping a consistent voice across its channels.
Created and produced in-depth editorial series exploring issues facing the community, including Metropol and the Ten Principles. Each brought a sustained editorial focus to a topic that mattered to Burning Man’s culture.
web platforms & social media
Started as web team project manager, leading the volunteer team responsible for the website and its content. Later managed a complete website redesign and overhaul during Burning Man’s transition to a nonprofit.
Established Burning Man’s social media presence and managed it for eight years, combining publishing with direct community engagement.
art operations
Directed operations for the Artery for five years, managing the work that supported Burning Man’s art program.
external relations & public speaking
Served as lead tour guide on the external relations team for seven years, giving 90-minute playa tours that introduced outside audiences to Burning Man’s art, community, and culture.
Represented Burning Man through conferences, panels, talks, and trainings, translating firsthand knowledge for people within and beyond the community.
portland frog brigade
co-founder + organizer
Built a platform for creative civic participation through actions, marches, appearances, and town halls. Helped inspire and support Minnesota and DC brigades, including State of the Swamp in DC.
Guide overview
Practical how-to guides explain the Brigade’s approach and give people concrete ways to participate, organize actions, and start a brigade.
Explanatory writing turns the Brigade’s approach into practical ways to participate and organize.
peak
consultant + advisor
Apply community engagement, placemaking, and immersive experience design to creative projects, connecting cultural insight with practical plans.
02 / art & experience
we are from dust
founder + art curator
Helped establish outdoor art spaces at Point San Pablo Harbor and Ashton Court in Bristol, giving participatory art a lasting public life beyond the playa.
point san pablo harbor · california
An outdoor sculpture collection on Richmond’s waterfront, created through We Are From Dust’s partnership with the harbor. Large-scale, interactive works invite visitors to encounter art outside a conventional gallery.
ashton court · bristol, uk
An outdoor art space developed by We Are From Dust and Artspace Lifespace at Ashton Court Estate. Launched in 2020, its interactive installations invite reflection, play, and connection in a shared public setting.
will chase arts
art curator + event manager
Curated installations and galleries for Sea of Dreams, Treasure Island Music Festival, Symbiosis, and the Edwardian Ball. Shaped how audiences encountered art within a larger event. Also worked on production and Green Team management for Rothbury Festival.
Additional curation credits
Oregon Eclipse, Elements Music & Arts Festival, and Yuri’s Night at NASA’s Moffett Field.
public art production
Panhandle Bandshell. Produced a performance space built from reclaimed materials and installed in San Francisco’s Panhandle and at Fort Mason.
AUXART’s High Water. Produced the 2023 art installation.
View the Bandshell
A performance space built from reclaimed materials, installed in San Francisco’s Panhandle and at Fort Mason. Role: producer. Photo: Will Chase.
fireside storytelling
co-founder + producer · 2009–2017
Created a live storytelling series designed around human connection. A low stage, lights up, and time to mingle brought storytellers and audiences into a shared experience.
Experience design and production choices supported the kind of community we wanted to create.
listen to fireside
game changer · part 1
Event recording from the Fireside Storytelling series · 42 min 40 sec.
Open the recording ↗03 / communications & storytelling
obscura
head of communications
Communicated the ambition and craft behind world-class art installations through sizzle reels, behind-the-scenes videos, newsletters, and media relations. Engaged creative communities through art schools and events.
radio city music hall
the antarctic · coachella
art on theMART
unseen stars · grand central terminal
photosynthesis · conservatory of flowers
the spectacle · MGM cotai
make: + maker faire
director of content and community
Developed editorial and content strategy to inform, engage, and inspire makers around the world, connecting online participation with the community’s in-person gatherings.
selected writing
A story about creative collaboration across a global network of makerspaces.
A practical invitation to participate, whether attending in person or following from home.
Firsthand reporting on a local event and its family-scale creative community.
Introducing participatory art through the connections between two creative communities.
04 / production & systems
the crucible
stage + event management
Managed the practical delivery of fire arts, theater, and live events, including the Fire Arts Festival and fire ballet productions.
everyday theatre
company manager · 2005–2008
Supported a working theater company across productions including The Bright River, Invisible Cities, and MIXTAPE.
arts fundraising events
auction + event management
Managed live and silent auctions for the Black Rock Arts Foundation’s ARTumnal Gathering and silent auctions for the Rex Foundation.
05 / speaking, teaching & radio
sharing the practice
Talks, panels, and teaching that share what creative communities can learn from one another.
speaking & teaching credits
Teaching public speaking at UC Berkeley; panels and talks at SXSW, SPUR, YBCA, and Burning Man’s Global Leadership Conference.
pants optional
Radio shows and DJ sets extend the practice into music curation and shared listening.
Tell me what
you have in mind.
let’s see what we can do