Bio

Anna Pancoast (they/she) is an ecological artist working with naturally dyed textiles, foraged pigments, and repurposed materials. Their creative practice is grounded in permaculture gardening and community building for climate action. They are interested in how we transform what we have into what we need.

Pancoast grew up in a Quaker family in rural Western New York State and the Hudson Valley. Fascinated by both art and science, they went on to study astrophysics at Haverford College and the University of California Santa Barbara, before working as a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. However, their experience with equity and inclusion initiatives in the sciences led to increasing concern about the devastating impacts of climate change. In 2018, Pancoast left astronomy research to focus on climate organizing, building a permaculture food forest garden, raising two young children, and further developing their creative practice. They currently work with the Extinction Rebellion Boston Art Working Group, organizing community art builds with Mystic Open Studio in Arlington, MA. They are also a member of the i3C (inspiring Change for the Climate Crisis) Artist Group.