The Beekeeper Artist: Janelle Dunlap's Unique Journey Blending Nature, Art, and Research
In the heart of Atlanta, atop The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, hundreds of thousands of honeybees find their home. It's a thriving oasis, and the guardian of this remarkable apiary is none other than Janelle Dunlap. She's not just a beekeeper; she's an artist and a researcher, and her story is as fascinating as it is inspiring.
Earlier this year, Janelle was appointed as the Urban Honey Bee Project's very first beekeeper in residence. Her mission: to delve into the world of pollinators and explore how beekeeping can be a source of relief for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But she's not just connected to bees through science; she uses art as her medium.
From Wu-Tang Clan to Beekeeping Janelle's journey into beekeeping and art is unique and deeply rooted in her personal experiences. She recalls a powerful image from her childhood, the Wu-Tang Clan's music video for "Triumph," where the group was depicted as a powerful swarm of Africanized killer bees. This imagery, with its political undertones, left a lasting impact on her. It was the first time she realized that art could convey a powerful message. Bees, she discovered, symbolized resilience.
Connecting with Nature Through Beekeeping Her journey as a beekeeper began in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she became a certified beekeeper in 2017. She continued this passion as she moved across the country, eventually landing in Atlanta in 2021. Her introduction to the Urban Honey Bee Project was a turning point. She's now responsible for inspecting the hives on The Kendeda Building roof, ensuring the bees' well-being and researching their role in the ecosystem.
The Intersection of Art and Beekeeping Janelle's story takes a fascinating turn when she embarked on a master's program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Her goal was to incorporate beeswax into encaustic painting, a technique that uses hot wax mixed with pigments. For Janelle, this was a way to bridge the gap between her and the bees, as she translates her connection with these creatures into abstract art.
By layering wax and applying heat, her art takes form, often with the unpredictability of a beehive. Janelle's art is intimately tied to the health of the bees; she collects wax thoughtfully, understanding that her art can only exist if the bees thrive.
Educating and Inspiring Others As Janelle continues her year-long residency with the Urban Honey Bee Project, she aims to educate and inspire the community, both on campus and around Atlanta. Her journey is a testament to the beauty and depth of beekeeping, a practice that unveils its secrets to those who engage with it.
"It's been a practice that keeps unveiling itself to me," she says. "As you get more engaged, you learn there is so much more to it than just the day-to-day hive inspections. There is a lot of beauty to it as well."
Janelle Dunlap's story is a reminder that the world of bees is not just about honey and hives; it's a canvas for creativity, a platform for healing, and a gateway to a deeper connection with nature. 🐝🖌️
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