MY VISION
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ABOUT ME
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BIOGRAPHY
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MY VISIONARY
ENVIRONMENT
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EDUCATION
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ART
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MY BIRTHDAY WISH
Saving
Nancy Forrester's
Secret Garden
for the public
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CONTACT
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MAP
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Thank you for visiting my website. I hope my
message to you explains my environmental work and
my quest to save the last wooded acre of
undeveloped land in the heart of old town Key West
from development and to keep it open to the public as
an environmental educational resource.
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MY PHILOSOPHY
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My philosophy is to keep Earth green and cool,
protect its natural patterns and myriad life forms. I
live simply, and practice reduce, reuse, recycle, share
living space with others in my home, a small two story
historic conch house modernized only to comply with
safety regulations.
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MY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
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My spiritual practice is founded in Earth’s life-force. I
am nature and nature is me. I have a moral obligation
to protect the natural world. My good conduct
towards the earth is the measure of my self worth.
Patriarchies have designated sacred places on Earth.
They are typically monumental natural formations, the
highest mountain, the deepest canyon, the largest
waterfall. Small places on Earth are power points
too. In 1969, when I first stood on this “little piece of
dirt” as the developers describe it, I felt a
supernatural energy coming from the ground. I vowed
I would never impede its flow with as much as a brick.
The word “Sacred” comes to mind. My chosen one
acre microcosm is of great magnitude to the
macrocosm.
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MY ART
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My art can be an object or an experience. In 1993. I
put down my canvas, brushes and paint in search of a
better medium in which to save the land under my
domain. Being certain of the land’s value to Earth
and to mankind, and being inspired by new art forms,
I blended mediums. Conceptual art, fusion of art and
life, performance and site specific installation are just
a few disciplines that give form and meaning to my
work. I opened a Visionary Environment to the public
known as Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden with the
hopes of gaining a large audience, teaching love and
understanding of this natural resource which offers
sanctuary, inspiration, food, medicine, oxygen,
thermal cooling and even burial.
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MY MONEY
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My money is gone. Still it is rumored I am rich. It is
also rumored I am an egotistical hobbyist. The truth
is I have borrowed three times during the last 15
years, pulling the equity of out of this land in order to
keep the garden alive and teach the ethics of
environmentalism. Now the banks are not offering me
refinancing.
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MY FEMININE WISDOM
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My feminine wisdom comes from observing patterns in
nature. I studied painting from 1956-1960 at the
College of Architecture and Design at the University
of Michigan, the modus operandi was Abstract
Expressionism. Higher learning was devoid of female
instructors and artists. Instructor Frede Vidar offered
this critique: “Your work is too feminine, your brush
strokes too delicate, your color too soft. Redo the
project! Emulate artists who paint with force and
power. Never sign your first name on a canvas! Hide
your gender; otherwise you will not get into exhibits.” I
redid my assignment copying Frans Kline’s black and
white slashes. I got A’s. That was the last time I
compromised my art. Now with human extinction on
the fast lane, my wisdom obliges me to engage
everyone especially the patriarchy to support and
take fiscal action to save the garden from
development.
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71 YEARS OF AGE
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At 71, my life’s environmental work, a beautiful
tropical garden adorned with endangered plants and
animals, a sanctuary for rescued parrots, an eco-arts
residency program and my contribution to the quality
of life and tourism in Key West could disappear. I
must ask you for fiscal help. I face personal collapse.
There is not much time left. I endorse Mana Project’s
capital campaign to acquire the property and make
the transition from private to public garden for future
generations. This allows me to continue my work here.
Please become a Member, Sponsor a Parrot, or
make a General Donation.
Please contact me 305-294-0015 or Katharina
Arnhold Executive Director of Mana Project
415-305-5813
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