Locally grown in Appalachia, Morgan Bakaletz (b. 2000) is an artist that graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art. Bakaletz’s
work has been exhibited in several shows throughout the region. She completed a 3-month
residency in Printmaking at East Tennessee State University in the Spring of 2023 and is
currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Bakaletz’s research focuses on the botanical study of fictional plants, the meticulous examination of imaginary animals, and visionary landscapes that all stem from a deep connection with nature and a journey of self-understanding. Her work reflects her personal experiences as a masculine-presenting queer woman, navigating the complexities of solitude, humor, grief, and heartache. You may find her in the woods.