I had just finished reading a book

about bark beetles and and their impact on forests. On a flight from Ohio to Colorado, I looked out the plane window, and noticed similarities between the beetle’s patterns and the miniature earth below.

Curious, I dug deeper and was shocked to discover how closely human patterns mirror those of bark beetles.

Bark beetles are really cool creatures and they are essential in a healthy forest. But when a forest is under stress from drought and warmer temperatures, the population of beetles increases.  As they eat and tunnel under the bark they kill the tree, and then the forest.  The dead trees become a fuel source for forest fires.

The beetle destroys not only its home, but itself.

I wondered if humans were doing the same.

Voracious Appetites - Eating the Host®

An absolutely novel photography exhibition that transforms the way we see forests, wildfires, and our role in a changing climate.

Through unexpected visual parallels, Voracious Appetites-Eating the Host challenges our perception, inviting viewers to recognize how everyday patterns of human behavior shape our world—and to imagine how we might shift those patterns before it's too late.

Combining photography, sculpture, and video, the exhibition is both visually compelling and deeply thought-provoking. It invites us to look closely, reflect deeply, and consider the choices that will shape our shared future.re.

Voracious Appetites can stand alone or be part of your curated exhibit on:

  • Climate,

  • Human consumption,

  • The importance of patterns,

  • Bark beetles,

  • Aligning toward a greater good.

“Provocative”

“Meaningful”

“Beautiful”

“Powerful”

“Important”

“Extraordinary”

Comments from Global Environmental Justice Conference

“Voracious Appetites” inspires viewers

I was reminded of the many different forms activism could take – we are not limited to politics, law or the courts – we can use other ways, like art and communication, to make an equivalent or even more effective impact. 

I walked away from her exhibit with a better understanding both of how my actions and the actions of other individuals have lasting impacts on the planet, and how visual and spatial mediums can engage an audience when mixed with written mediums.

I spent at least 30 minutes studying the images. I hope you don’t mind that I took photos.

We had a long conversation about your artwork at our table.  It sparked a great conversation!

The similarities between human and these beetle patterns was striking.  It really made me consider the destructive actions of humans and our impact on the natural world.  She didn’t present anything as hopeless, however, and really stressed action. She believes we have real control and impact.

I liked that Jennifer talked about making yourself feel empowered, because waiting around for big changes to happen doesn’t feel good.

I love it! I love it!  I love that you combined art and science. It’s approachable and you really make it accessible for the audience.

Professional response to “Voracious Appetites”

  • Voracious Appetites helps us to contextualize the deep impacts each of us make in our daily lives on the region in which we live and the planet which is our host.

    Dr. Scott Denning, Atmospheric Scientist

  • The hourglass is emptying. The sooner we recognized that the cleverness of our species can be both the problem or the solution, the better.

    David Leatherman, Forest Entomologist

  • This project tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time in an accessible fashion. The possibilities for learning and engagement across so many fields make for an exciting roster of programming utilizing local experts and community members.

    Lisa Hatchadoorian, Executive Director Internal Affairs, MoA | Fort Collins

  • Voracious Appetites offers a culturally relevant experience that harnesses the visual arts to‬ ‭ transform the viewer’s capacity for agency in the climate crisis.

    Jeanne Shoaff, Arts Professional

  • Nowhere before have I seen such an impactful approach to raising awareness of the extent and urgency‬ ‭ of recognizing society ’s consumption pattern than what Jennifer is compiling through the Voracious‬ ‭ Appetites initiative.

     Frenchy Morisette, PhD in Forestry

  • Jennifer’s project is timely, relevant, and will demonstrate that the arts‬ ‭ have a voice in society, speaking in ways that other methods do not.

    Joy Nyenhuis, Community Member

Museum and art center inquiries:


Email: Jenny1032@gmail.com
Text: 970-402-6683

Fort Collins, CO 80524