Rhizomatic at Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic at Chicago Botanic Garden
Rhizomatic Tapestry Display
Rhizomatic Activation View
Rhizomatic Garden Integration
Featured Project Learn More

About Essentials Creative

A multimedia collective where Indigenous American, Latin American, and Asian artists create site-responsive activations through rhizomatic processes that honor both individual experimentation and collective vision.

Who We Are

We platform underrepresented artists—especially BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA+ voices—within collaborative frameworks that embrace multiplicity over singularity. Working between Austin and San Antonio, we create experiences that reveal the networks connecting communities, cultures, and ecosystems.

What We Do

We integrate photography, fashion, graphic design, video, projections, animation, and installation into immersive experiences. Our work translates folklore and ecology into contemporary artistic practice, bridging institutional spaces, green environments, and community narratives.

Recent Activations

Rhizomatic - Austin Central Library Rhizomatic - Chicago Botanic Garden Yanaguana Garden - TX Biennial (Blaffer Museum)

OUR SERVICES

📸

Photography

Cultural narratives & documentation
🎨

Design

Visual communication & branding
🖼️

Activation Art

Immersive spatial experiences
🎬

Video Production

Storytelling & cinematography
✨

Motion Graphics

Animation & visual effects
💡

Creative Direction

Vision & artistic leadership
Austin Central Library installation
Chicago Botanic Garden installation
Rooftop garden view
Garden display

A collaborative multimedia art installation exploring cultural and scientific stories of diversity and interconnectedness through Indigenous knowledge and native plants

About the Project

Rhizomatic is a multimedia tapestry installation that weaves together Indigenous knowledge networks with scientific perspectives on native plants. Each double-sided tapestry presents traditional cultural narratives and botanical information, exploring the concept of rhizomes as a metaphor for interconnectedness across biological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions.

The installation has been presented at two major botanical institutions, each adapting to the unique context and native plant species of its location.

Core Themes

Rhizomatic Connections

Exploring networks of knowledge across biological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions through the metaphor of rhizomes - underground stems that grow horizontally and create new connections.

Indigenous Knowledge

Honoring traditional perspectives and wisdom from Indigenous and marginalized communities, centering their understanding of native plants and ecological relationships.

Ecological Interconnectedness

Celebrating the biodiversity and complex relationships within native plant ecosystems, highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship.

Cultural Heritage

Preserving and sharing botanical traditions that connect people to place, history, and ancestral knowledge systems.

Multiple Ways of Knowing

Presenting Indigenous cultural narratives alongside scientific perspectives, demonstrating that different knowledge systems can coexist and enrich our understanding.

Austin Central Library

October 2-8, 2025

The Austin installation brought Rhizomatic to the rooftop garden of Austin Central Library, focusing specifically on Texas native plants and their significance to Indigenous communities of the region. This site-specific adaptation highlighted the relationship between urban green spaces, cultural preservation, and environmental education.

Panoramic rooftop garden view
Vibrant tapestry artwork
Botanical tapestry detail
Installation with native plantings
Indigenous knowledge artwork
Rooftop garden context

Chicago Botanic Garden

Summer 2024

The original Rhizomatic installation debuted at Chicago Botanic Garden's Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. This exhibition explored the connections between diverse plant species and cultural knowledge systems, featuring collaborative artwork that integrated with the garden's existing landscape and educational programming.

Wide view of Chicago installation
Visitor engagement with tapestries
Garden walkway perspective
Outdoor garden display
Natural garden setting
Colorful tapestries display

Tapestry Designs

Each tapestry explores a specific Texas native plant through both Indigenous cultural narratives and scientific botanical perspectives. The double-sided designs allow viewers to experience both knowledge systems.

Metl (Agave) - Cultural Perspective
Metl (Agave) - Scientific Perspective
Huautli (Amaranth) - Cultural Perspective
Huautli (Amaranth) - Scientific Perspective
Snake Grass - Cultural Perspective
Snake Grass - Scientific Perspective
Ichahpe Hu - Cultural Perspective
Ichahpe Hu - Scientific Perspective
Chiltepin - Cultural Perspective
Chiltepin - Scientific Perspective
Nochtli (Prickly Pear) - Cultural Perspective
Nochtli (Prickly Pear) - Scientific Perspective
Gilzisomashkiki - Cultural Perspective
Gilzisomashkiki - Scientific Perspective
Tolin - Cultural Perspective
Tolin - Scientific Perspective
Ponil - Cultural Perspective
Ponil - Scientific Perspective
Atlazomilili - Cultural Perspective
Atlazomilili - Scientific Perspective
Shop Tapestries

Activations

Immersive art experiences that connect communities and cultures

Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Rhizomatic Activation - Austin Central Library
Activation Art by Essentials Creative
Activation Art by Essentials Creative
Activation Art by Essentials Creative
Activation Art by Essentials Creative
Native Waters Projection Activation - Austin

Photography

Capturing cultural narratives and artistic expression through the lens

Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative
Photography by Essentials Creative

Design

Visual communication that bridges tradition and contemporary expression

Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Design by Essentials Creative
Animated Design by Essentials Creative

Video

Video production and editing to bring your visions to life

Essentials Creative X Delhacienda
Love Letter to Austin
Afterworld
Gesel Mason: Burst!
Hannah Spector | if you stare at a cowboy's face for long enough, it turns into a sunset
Aisha Imdad | The Allegorical Gardens
Ranran Fan | Inhale the Interruption
Irene Antonia Diane Reece | Don't Cry For Me When I'm Gone
Monica Martinez-Diaz | A Trajectory of Grief
Virginia L. Montgomery (VLM) | Eye Moon Cocoon
Dan Jian | The Bow Whispers to the Arrow
Jade Walker | Wayfinding
Elizabeth Chapin | Treespell
Alejandra Almuelle | Circular Body
Art Talk | Bending Light
Techstalgia: Echoes from a Small Screen
Missions - Truther (Official Video)
Grivo -
Calico Club - Nighttime Roller Disco
Projected Visuals
Essentials Creative's Rhizomatic at Chicago Botanic Garden

Workshops

Join us for hands-on creative workshops and collaborative art experiences

Rhizomatic Workshop - Portrait and Collage
Upcoming
Sunday, November 30, 2025 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Rhizomatic: Portrait and Collage Workshop

Austin Central Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

This hands-on session explores Indigenous plant knowledge and personal ancestry through photography and mixed-media collage. Create layered artworks using photographs, botanical illustrations, fabrics, and patterns while learning about ten Texas native plants and their cultural significance.

Workshop Details

  • Drop-in format - arrive anytime and work at your own pace
  • Free and open to the public - all materials provided
  • No art experience required
  • Light refreshments including herbal teas featuring workshop plants
  • Featured plants: Purple Coneflower, Goldenrod, Prickly Pear, Cattail, Apache Plume, Chile Pequin, Amaranth, Horsetail, Turk's Cap, and Maguey

RSVP Encouraged

Limited capacity - RSVPs encouraged. Contact essentialscreative@gmail.com to register.

View Installation

Stay Updated

Be the first to know about upcoming exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative art experiences.

Get Notified

RSVP for Workshop

Sunday, November 30, 2025 • 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Austin Central Library

We'll send you a confirmation email
Optional - for day-of communications
Including yourself (max 10)
Drop-in anytime - this helps us plan materials
For herbal tea and light refreshments

Get In Touch

Ready to collaborate? Let's create something extraordinary together.

Whether you're interested in photography, video production, design, or immersive activations, we'd love to hear from you. Available for commissions, exhibitions, and creative partnerships throughout Austin, San Antonio, and beyond.