The Art of Mining Project is a research-creation initiative that explores the potential of large-scale land art to transform the remediation processes of mined lands in the Klondike Goldfields, Yukon. The project brings together artists, placer miners, industry representatives, conservationists, and government policymakers to share knowledge, ideas, and collaborate to develop a comprehensive framework for creative land remediation. Michael co-led a week-long program of creative workshops that helped artists imagine their work at the scale of the land, including model-building, site analysis, mapping, material studies, and collaboration with local experts and community members.

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The project goals are to build interdisciplinary partnerships, emphasize land reconnection and traditional economy, provide research training experiences for students and artists and mobilize research knowledge to diverse audiences. This project is built on the foundation of Jackie Olsen and Aubyn O’Grady’s Willow Basket Project and land-based artistic practices and pedagogy.