Daniel Feeser

Daniel Feeser is a Philadelphia-based artist and horticulturist. He received his BFA in sculpture from the Tyler School of Art in 2010. As a student, he became involved with community gardens in north Philadelphia, which propelled him into the field of horticulture. Feeser began his formal horticulture training at Longwood Gardens and since 2012, he has been working in the urban horticulture profession, at such places as Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Central Park Conservancy, and Bartram’s Garden. His roles have ranged from horticulture training and community programming to greenhouse management.With ten years of horticulture adventures, Daniel Feeser has been inspired to delve back into his creative process in his home-based art studio. Building off of his rich experiences, his work unites his passion for horticulture, the arts,and the ever-changing urban landscape.

The Schuylkill River has endured years of pollution. Coal mining and iron works are only two of the culprits that not only altered the river and its acidity but also the ecology of the surrounding landscape. This history of degradation and transformation serves as the foundation for the work that I plan to complete during “Art in the Open.” I will oxidize steel, a product deeply connected to Philadelphia’s industry, with acidic solutions. The Schuylkill landscape will serve as an inspiration for each piece, from the plants, movement of the water, structures, and the people who interact with the environment. 

By utilizing an industrial material that has been tied to the landscape, I hope to open up a discussion about the health of the river, the history of iron ore, coal mining in the Schuylkill region, and the park-goers river experiences.