Thesis Research: Collage Workshops
Garden as Resistance uses collage and participatory design to explore how Mexican garden principles of biodiversity, community, and spirituality can be an act of resisting generations of assimilation to American culture. Members of the Latino community in San Marcos and San Antonio attended workshops where they created collages and discussed what the garden means to them.
Through these activities, the community bonded over family memories and shared plant knowledge and medicinal practices. The mixing of materials in the collage posters reflects the diverse but always interconnected nature of Latino cultural identity.
Thesis Exhibition
The exhibition examined the relationship between nature and culture. Through digital, print, and interactive media, I questioned Americanized ideals of the lawn and garden. This exhibition was on display in the FL3X gallery at Texas State University from November 17 – December 12, 2025. By learning about the role of the garden in Mexican-American culture, visitors are invited to resist the lawn for a garden of culture and community.
Thesis Paper
Download PDF from the Texas State digital library