I have been battling with PTSD longer than I have realized…As I reflect on my experiences, I try to make sense of when this darkness began to exist in me. I refer to it as “my darkness” because there’s a profound shadowy aspect to living with PTSD, one that often arises from being compelled to suppress my feelings and push the painful memories away.

Living with PTSD can be debilitating and exhausting, and it often feels like much of it is beyond my control. The triggers and flashbacks invade my thoughts, creating a persistent ache as I look back at my past and struggle to understand my present.

One of the most challenging aspects of PTSD is how it affects my relationships. When I’m struggling, I tend to shut down and build walls around myself. I often feel I must protect those I care about from seeing or hearing that I’m not okay.

Therapy has saved my life more than once. While some people view therapy as a sign of weakness, I see it as an opportunity to educate myself on life and learn how to navigate its challenges.  It’s a powerful tool for understanding my emotions and developing strategies to cope. I’ve also discovered that…

-Teanna

Holly Hildebrand is a mixed-media artist whose work is rooted in the grungy, textural, and thoughtful language of materials. She creates tactile compositions that explore themes of earth, identity, memory, and spirit. Her practice centers on assembling worn fragments— stitched cloth, aged photographs, lace, and pigment—into surfaces that feel weathered yet intentional, inviting viewers to slow down and connect with their own stories.

Holly’s work reflects her belief that art is both a personal and communal act—a way of making sense of experience, of stitching together what might otherwise be lost, and of honouring the stories we carry. Her approach continues to shape a practice that is as tactile as it is contemplative, inviting viewers and participants alike to slow down, feel, and reflect.