Where Art Meets the Environment
Five Midwest artists. Five distinct perspectives. One celebration of creativity, place and the natural world.
Art is woven into every part of the Mound City Film Festival. Throughout the day, visitors can explore an environmental art exhibition featuring five artists whose work reflects the character, landscapes and creative spirit of the Midwest—with a particular connection to St. Louis and the surrounding region.
From flameworked glass and botanical sculpture to painting, printmaking and nature-inspired illustration, the exhibition celebrates the many ways artists interpret the world around us.
Two of our featured glass artists, Ariel Danza and Lendy Middendorf, will also bring their creative process to life with live flame-glass demonstrations at the Third Degree Glass Factory tent on the Pavilion Patio.
Meet the Artists
🔥 Ariel Danza
Flameworked Glass & Jewelry
Florissant, Missouri
Ariel Danza is a multidisciplinary glass and jewelry artist specializing in flameworking, handmade jewelry and small-scale sculptural glasswork. Her work includes intricately crafted marbles, whimsical glass plants, jewelry, ornaments and functional glass pieces.
Ariel is also passionate about sharing the craft. In addition to creating her own work, she teaches flameworking, stained glass and jewelry making. Her approach combines technical craftsmanship with a sense of whimsy and discovery.
At Mound City: See Ariel's work and experience the transformation of molten glass during her live flame-glass demonstrations at the Third Degree Glass Factory tent.
🌿 Lendy Middendorf
The Glass Petaler — Borosilicate Glass
Lendy Middendorf, known as The Glass Petaler, is a St. Louis-area borosilicate glass artist whose work draws inspiration from botanical structures and the intricate forms of flora and fauna.
Her process incorporates observations from botanical gardens, including those she visits in St. Louis and throughout her travels. She translates those observations into detailed glass sculptures, articulated necklaces, pendants, ornaments and other functional and decorative pieces.
Lendy is also an experienced glass flameworking instructor, with demonstrations and workshops focused on the intricate techniques behind her work.
At Mound City: Watch Lendy work with flame and glass during a live glass demonstration at the Third Degree Glass Factory tent.
🎨 Steven Walden
Painting & St. Louis-Inspired Pop Culture
St. Louis, Missouri
Steven Walden is a St. Louis-based painter whose work draws heavily from sports, pop culture and the visual character of St. Louis. He began painting professionally in 2014 and has since turned his art into a full-time career.
His work includes a range of St. Louis-themed pieces alongside commissioned and pop-culture artwork. His practice reflects the connection between an artist and the city that inspires so much of his work.
At Mound City: Discover Steven's work as part of our indoor artist exhibition in the Atomic Lounge.
🖌️ Kenya Mitchell
Painting, Printmaking, Textiles & Mixed Media
St. Louis, Missouri
A St. Louis native and Webster University graduate, Kenya Mitchell is a multidisciplinary artist whose work encompasses printmaking, painting, textiles and digital media. Her work is rooted in personal experience, identity, faith and the cultural richness of her community.
Kenya's art explores personal narratives and overlooked stories while celebrating resilience, connection and everyday moments. Her work has been exhibited throughout St. Louis, including at Art St. Louis, the St. Louis Artists Guild, Angad Arts Hotel and Urb Arts. She is also a studio member and artist at Central Print.
At Mound City: See Kenya's work as part of the indoor artist exhibition in the Atomic Lounge.
🌻 Danielle Gorin
Nature-Inspired Watercolor & Ink
Alton, Illinois
Danielle Gorin is the artist behind Fox & Thistle Studio, a Midwest-based art studio focused on celebrating the natural world through detailed watercolor and ink illustrations.
Danielle's connection to nature began early, with childhood experiences hiking, exploring creeks, collecting natural objects and gardening with family. Today, she works from her studio in Alton, Illinois, creating artwork inspired by native plants, wildlife and the ecosystems of the region.
Her work reflects a simple idea: curiosity can lead to caring, and caring can lead to action.
At Mound City: Explore Danielle's nature-inspired work as part of the indoor artist exhibition in the Atomic Lounge.
Five Artists. One Region.
What connects these artists isn't a single medium or artistic style. It's a sense of place.
They work across St. Louis, the Metro East and the broader Midwest, drawing inspiration from the landscapes, communities, wildlife, culture and experiences that make this region unique.
At Mound City, their work sits alongside films about rivers, forests, trails, climate and conservation because art and environmental storytelling share a common purpose: helping us pay closer attention to the world around us.
See the Art. Meet the Artists. Watch the Process.
The environmental art exhibition will be part of the festival throughout the day, with the artists available to share their work and perspectives.
11:00–11:50 AM
Environmental Art Exhibition & Artist Demonstrations
12:00–12:50 PM
Artists + Environment Panel
Moderated by Max Havey with St. Louis Magazine
1:15–2:00 PM
Environmental Art Exhibition & Demonstrations Resume
And don't miss Ariel Danza and Lendy Middendorf demonstrating the extraordinary process of flameworked glass at the Third Degree Glass Factory tent on the Pavilion Patio.
Come see what happens when artists turn inspiration, material and place into something tangible.