Jen Haefeli

InterArtist Jen Haefeli dances to a different rhythm. She always has. The tempo of her life has required that Jen pivot on a moment’s notice, thus she is nimble. She is inspired by those who sprinkle flower seeds in sidewalk cracks, and her heart swells when astronauts return to Earth. She often stacks blocks to inspire figure drawings, and she would tell you that good pasta and bold coffee are fuel for life.Jen’s approach to creativity is multidisciplinary. She received her degree in InterArts from George Mason University, becoming the first graduate in the program. She opened Wild Root Creations shortly thereafter and spent nearly ten years traveling to and living in Haiti. Jen has experience working with NGOs and has been on several boards advocating for sustainable opportunities for farmers and families in rural Haiti. Her experiences provided Jen with many hats to wear for several years, and she continues to support projects taking place in Haiti via her board position with Harvest107. Her work is influenced by the knowledge of social sciences, political factors, psychology of the time, and socio-economics of those whom she is looking to impact. Jen thinks a bit like an archeologist and plans for her work to stand the test of time. Jen’s goal is to frame her work as a form of education, not just adornment. She is highly influenced by humanities and women’s rights, and even her historically relevant work, with a vintage flair, is bold and modern and squarely reminds the viewer that Jen is firmly planted in a modern age. Jen works with The American Heart Association, The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and United Way. Jen is a Signature Member of NAWA, the National Association of Women Artists, a member of the Florida Chapter of NAWA, The Womens Caucus for Art, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and she is a board member of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh. Her work is shown at The Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Creative York’s Kerlin Gallery in York, Pennsylvania, and the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Gallery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Additional gallery exhibitions are announced via her newsletter. Jen’s books, small works, and wearable work are available on her website.