For Teagan Crawford-Greene, a student in MICA’s Ecosystems, Sustainability, and Justice program, art and activism are inseparable. At this year’s ArtWalk, Crawford-Greene presented The Big Muddy Times — a speculative newspaper set in the year 2058 that offers an imaginative glimpse into a future shaped by today’s environmental decisions. The project blends narrative storytelling with ecological foresight, using a fictional format to invite reflection on sustainability, climate justice, and collective responsibility.

“I’ve always created work centered around the environment,” says Crawford-Greene. “At MICA, I’ve expanded that focus to include sustainability and circularity — not just as design strategies, but as philosophies for envisioning the future.”

Their piece defies traditional formats, embracing interdisciplinary experimentation and subtle messaging. It’s an approach that Crawford-Greene attributes directly to their MICA education. “Before MICA, I never felt bold enough to create work outside the traditional art mold. Now I feel confident expressing myself through experimental formats — and thinking more expansively about what art can be.”

Preparing for ArtWalk was both a professional milestone and a personal triumph. “Having a solo show this early in my creative career is incredibly rare,” Crawford-Greene notes. “It’s a valuable opportunity to test big ideas and see what resonates with a broad audience.” For a piece as unconventional as The Big Muddy Times, audience engagement became part of the artwork’s impact: “It’s always fascinating to see who notices the work, who dares to approach a strange installation where the label is hidden within the piece.”

The journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support of MICA’s interdisciplinary ecosystem. Crawford-Greene credits classes across ESJ, Product Design, Bio Design, Fiber, and even science courses with providing the tools and mindset needed to pursue their vision. “MICA has helped me become someone who moves comfortably between science, activism, art, and design. I’ve gained both the technical skills and the critical framework to bring bold, thoughtful ideas to life.”

As they look to the future, Crawford-Greene continues to challenge conventional thinking, inviting viewers to consider not just what art is, but what it can become in a changing world.