Field Studio

2:00 pm: Introductions

2:12 pm: MEGAN HENSTRA (she/hers) \ RECYCLING THE BANK
In response to the number of deteriorated buildings throughout Green River, the practice of circular economy is applied as a way to “recycle the buildings”. This is done through the scope of the historic bank building located on the corner of Main Street and Broadway. The aim of this is to revitalize the town through economically and environmentally friendly means.

2:24 pm: JAYEE LIM (She/Her) \ THE FUTURE IS YOUNG AND VIBRANT: Developing a Framework for Rural Development via Youth Education in Green River, Utah.  
This transformative research trajectory empowers rural towns, exemplified by Green River in Utah, with the knowledge and tools to cultivate vibrancy across social, economic, and cultural dimensions, fostering overall well-being. The intervention identifies key indicators and narratives that define a vibrant town in a rural context. Key questions explored include the components of vibrancy, unique challenges and opportunities in rural settings, and seasonal considerations. This research aims to provide a tailored framework for rural communities, enhancing their quality of life, economic opportunities, and community cohesion, ultimately allowing them to become models for sustainable rural development. 

2:36 pm: Curtis Shosted

2:48 pm: COOPER BOSWELL (he/him) \ CULTIVATING COWBOY COMMUNITY
The cowboy has been (mis)represented as a stoic, brooding ranger roaming the West by his lonesome. This contrasts harshly the lived histories of these boys, and the strong lifelong bonds they formed with one another as well as the communities that were formed on the frontier. How can these histories be used to reframe the Wild West, and how can this reframing benefit those rural communities that inhabit it This project aims to map the stories of the West through this lens, and uses the cowboy as a vessel and basis for the cultivation of this community.

3:00 pm: Ahenne Selli

3:12 pm: Katrina Leung

3:24 pm: NIKKI BLANDFORD (she/her/hers) \ FRUITFUL TRANSFORMATIONS
Hundreds of thousands of melons in Green River go to waste every year. Fruitful Transformations is a way to address melon waste while fostering community through shared resources and labor. The project takes the form of an incubation model where surplus melons are transformed into creative dishes and entered in a Melon Dish Cook-Off event at the annual Melon Days Festival. The dish awarded first place is produced on a larger scale and is sold in its own booth at the festival the following year. Fruitful Transformations aims to find value-added agricultural opportunities that can help create new ways melons can be used during and after the growing season. 

3:36 pm: Break

3:48 pm: LAUREN GEISLER (she/her) \ MAVERIK AS SOCIAL ECOSYSTEM
Maverik as Social Ecosystem Green River has been a crossroads for many travelers since western expansion. In modern day, the town's economy relies on servicing those traveling on I-70. In August 2022, Maverik opened a new location in Green River, having detrimental effects on the economy. This work suggests implementing a system at Maverik. This system will stimulate connection between the people of Green River and those stopping off the Interstate, using the corporate convenience store as an entry point into Green River. It prompts visitors to venture in, strengthening town center vitality.

4:00 pm: ROSBITT GONZALEZ (he/him) \ CHROMA RURALITY
“Chroma Rurality” is an exploration into how Green River, and similar rural towns, can engage their communities with the colors found within their surrounding landscapes. This study was conducted using sidewalk chalk as median and explored the potential use of different shapes and color palettes.

4:12 pm: DANE POWELL (he/him) \ ADVENTURE BADGER
This app engages youth in Green River and travelling through in nurturing a connection to nature. They are engaged by spending time outside and learning about the community, the natural area, and different activities. Users receive rewards for completing objectives, visiting real areas, and participating in events. 

4:24pm: ADDIE DYCK-MCCRARY \ Transformative Trails
This research highlights the potential of establishing a scenic trail originating from the Green River Station and its effect on both locals and future tourists of the town. By analyzing the town’s social, environmental, and economic dynamics, the trail’s development is expected to enhance each of these sectors and promote community involvement. This project is envisioned to collaborate with designers and locals to create an established trail through Green River that attracts a diverse range of visitors. The trail seeks to promote engagement from the town and inclusive tourism that celebrates the essence of the rural town.

4:36 pm: SARAH ISRAELSEN (she/her) / DESIGNING FOR MINDFULNESS
Rural towns, such as Green River, face unique barriers to accessing mental health treatment and resources. Mindfulness is a treatment that addresses those obstacles. One can be mindful at any time or place, at no cost. This project explores how design can encourage mindful moments and provide accessible spaces that support mental well-being for Green River. Biophilic Design principles, such as utilizing the senses and connecting the mind and body to natural light, material, and pattern, overlap with principles of mindfulness. This installation uses biophilic design and mindful architecture to facilitate a mindful experience in Pearl Baker Park.

4:48 pm: TRINITY GROSS (she/her) \ BUILDING BONDS: Exploring nature through constructive play 
The project aims to reimagine outdoor play experiences for children residing in Green River, Utah. Focused on education and fostering personal connections with the environment, the initiative advocates for hands-on learning through nature-based play. The addition of constructive play structures serve to transformative outdoor experiences, where children engage in collaborative learning, develop a sense of environmental stewardship, and build lasting relationships.  

5:00 pm: Closing remarks