The Verdancy Project (TVP) was created and is run by the Amidon family - Shannon, Bobb, and their daughter Sabine.
Family portrait created by Tara Centybear
After 20 years of living in dense urban areas, Shannon and Bobb sought a return to a more natural setting like the one Shannon grew up in. They wanted to raise their daughter in the kind of wild environment that was so formative to Shannon’s own early years, which has profoundly impacted all of her choices, leading her to a life of creativity and environmentalism. TVP is the result of this dream - a wonderland property providing research, respite, and creative opportunities to like-minded artists, environmentalists, creatives, and those who dream about a better world.
Shannon Amidon - Founder and Director
Shannon is an artist, environmental steward, beekeeper, and lover of books, insects, and paper ephemera. In her art career spanning 20 years, Shannon has been featured in solo and group exhibitions worldwide, curated group exhibits, garnered press, and participated in artist residencies all over the world, focusing on both art-making and ecological research. She has collaborated with other artists, scientists, activists, and researchers. You can see Shannon’s artwork on her website and follow her on Instagram.
Bobb Amidon - Resident Troubleshooter - Logistics and Support
Bobb is a programmer and music producer who enjoys collecting musical instruments and old monster movie memorabilia. His project, My Robot Suit features hand-built electronics and software, thrift store finds, and found sounds in addition to his usual synths and sampler. Bobb has remixed other artists, produced music for podcasts, performed sound design for consumer electronics, been a DJ for college radio, nightclubs, and raves. He has produced sound installations and experimental audio with duo Compartment and formerly released music as Malnoia.
Sabine Amidon - Artist Ally and Creative Sidekick
Sabine is a precocious, creative, and social kid who loves to help out with all things pertaining to The Verdancy Project. When she is not in school, she enjoys drawing, skateboarding, acting in local plays, reading manga, and playing with her dog Beaker.
As hosts, Shannon, Bobb, and Sabine hope that The Verdancy Project can offer others the opportunity to engage with the land as a means of nourishing their creative passions.
Joellen Sweeney - Community & Creativity Steward
As our Community & Creativity Steward Joellen plays a key role in fostering connection, collaboration, and a supportive environment within The Verdancy Project. She helps strengthen relationships among artists and community members, encourages creative exchange, and upholds the welcoming spirit that defines TVP and its programs.
Joellen is a theatre artist, writer and teacher from Portland, Oregon. Her creative research focuses on environment; whether through whimsical, heartfelt writings, immersive and site-specific performance, or lush multi-layered vocal music, Joellen loves to create and support experiences that build connectedness between people and the natural world. She earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Washington’s Professional Actor Training Program. She is also a proud alumna of Willamette University, the Third Rail Repertory Theatre Mentorship Program and the Shakespeare & Company Month-Long Intensive. When she is not at the theatre, Joellen enjoys singing, studying ocean science and hiking with her husband, Alec.
www.joellensweeney.com