Collaborative Art
Buddha of Many Hats
“While living in Japan, I observed that many cemeteries featured Buddhas statues which people have decorated with crocheted hats and scarves.
I started finding ‘Buddha hats,’ usually bits of drywood, while sauntering in the mountains. My collection of hats grew to 40+! I began inviting studio visitors to select a hat and a photo background, then photograph their creation.”
This interactivity will be featured in the ArtVillage Creativity Space during the Summer 2026 Green Box Arts Festival.
In the photo on the left, Buddha models a seashell hat with Montana’s Sun River valley in the background. In the photo on the right, Buddha sports a corn-root spiral headdress symbolizing joy.
Art Masks Project, 2022
While supporting the children, parents and staff of the Child Development Center on Aviano Airbase in Italy, the staff created art masks reflective of their unique self. The art masks were an expression of the staff members’ strengths, resilience and diversity. DrMike’s mask featured a sunset scene in Venice.
Pocket Ephemera Collaborative Sculpture, 2008
While Director of Student Development at a Denver art college, DrMike and students created participatory art projects for visitors to the Denver Art Museum’ s Friday Evening events. When people entered DAM, they were asked to donate an object from their pocket or bag and add to the sculpture, which emerged over the course of the evening.
