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Linda Russo founded EcoArts on the Palouse in 2017. Her creative research revolves around ecospheric care practices and exploring the forces that shape our relationships to the more-than-human world, a theme that informs her teaching for Washington State University, where she also serves as the Director of Creative Writing. Learn more about her creative and collaborative work at InhabitoryPoetics. "I am honored to work with students to create ways to understand our relationship to the land, water, and other species on the Palouse. They are the heart of this living project."
Julian Ankney is a Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) writer and scholar and a member of the Nimiipuu Luk’upsíimey Writer’s Collective and Nimiipuu Female Educators Talking Circle. She Directs the Native American Programs at WSU-Vancouver and teaches Native Literature and Creative Writing and co-teaches a language revitalization class that focuses on the importance of Nez Perce language and culture. Her creative work is published in Talking River and Yellow Medicine Review. Her poem "SEE TRANSLATION" is featured in "Two Poems for Kamiak Butte."
Michael Conley, Spring 25’ Intern, is currently majoring in Creative Writing at Washington State University while earning an Editing and Publishing Certificate. He conducted an interview with Aidan Barger about his “Haibun Postcards” series and created a webpage for them as well. “I wanted to work in EcoArts because I haven’t felt very connected with the Pullman-Moscow area, and I thought learning about the natural landscape of the region and the poetry people create to honor it might bring me closer to the community.”
Chloe Cramer designed the web page for "SEE TRANSLATION." Currently pursuing an English degree with a focus in Rhetoric and Professional Writing at Washington State University, She grew up in Spokane, Washington and has developed a love for nature from growing up around many forests, mountains, and lakes. “EcoArts is exciting to me because it combines my passion for creating art and poetic writing with my love for nature and learning more about what is all around me”. She hopes to continue to improve her writing skills and knowledge about the environment as she furthers her work with EcoArts on the Palouse.
Alyssa Zepeda created a video of "SEE TRANSLATION." Alyssa is double majoring in English and Digital Technology & Culture andminoring in Film Studies at Washington State University. From Yakima, Washington, Alyssa has always found herself interested in the creative world around her — specifically with what she has experienced through her love for film, writing, and art. Alyssa says, “I’m really excited to be working with EcoArts on the Palouse to not only get more experience with professional writing, but also work with my interest in editing to help publish a video rendition of Julian Ankney’s poem 'See Translation'!”
Andy Connot studied English and Philosophy at Washington State University while pursuing their Editing and Publishing Certificate. Growing up in Seattle, they’ve had the opportunity to scour the west coast and discover a fondness for the natural world. The sea is the home of their heart. They are researching and writing about the wildlife living within the rivers of the Palouse as an addition to the EcoArts project.
Joel Kemegue majored in English with a focus in Creative Writing and served as the Campus Civic Poet in 2023. From Bellevue, Washington, he has been interested in reading and writing since the 5th grade. When he is not writing he’s usually watching movies, playing video games, and complaining about both. His EcoArts project explores how we view the ecosystems through a series of poems and a Highlight Article on the Plant Poems Project. He joined EcoArts on the Palouse to practice and explore the relationship between nature and writing, as well as to learn more about the natural environment of the Palouse.
Lizzy Kizer double majored in Psychology and English and minored in Criminal Justice at Washington State University. Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Lizzy has always found herself drawn to explore the vast landscapes that surround her both in her hometown as well as in her new home on the Palouse. “I was drawn to EcoArts because despite the knowledge I have about the world around me, I feel as though there's always more to learn and more to appreciate in nature. I feel as though EcoArts is an important project here on campus and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of it!”
Annelise Wagner studied English with a focus in Rhetoric and Professional Writing at Washing Originally from Newport Beach, California, she has deep respect for the nature around her, especially the ocean. Annelise consistently supports efforts in keeping the beaches near her home clean and protecting the wildlife that reside along the coast through organizations like Surfrider Foundation and 4Ocean. She hopes to further expand her creative and rhetorical writing skills and promote awareness of the nature of the Palouse while working on the EcoArts project. Annelise says, “Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’re really just guests here. We need to stop and look around once in a while and understand we should be more courteous to a world that will be here long after we’re gone.”
Anna K. Young's Highlight Article is currently featured on EcoArts; she is also an arts contributor. She is a summa cum laude graduate of WSU (BA English ‘21) and an MFA candidate in creative writing at Western Washington University. Alongside a forthcoming novella with Running Wild Press, she will be featured in Cutleaf Literary Journal, Sheila-Na-Gig’s online poetry journal, and Mortal Magazine in 2022. Her latest work appeared in Crack the Spine’s “The Year” anthology in 2019.