Ketlynn

Woven Across Oceans Ketlynn Taylor 

My design honors the Marshallese community here in Springdale by celebrating their traditional handicrafts, which are created for both cultural expression and decoration. One interesting fact I learned is that Marshallese handicrafts serve many purposes—they can be worn as jewelry, displayed as wall hangings, or used as home decorations.

I chose to include the image of an obong shape because it represents one of the many forms used in traditional wall hangings. In my artwork, I used shades of tan and light blue to symbolize the island’s sand and ocean, both of which are deeply connected to Marshallese life and culture.

Through this piece, I hope viewers feel a sense of welcome and pride—especially those from the Marshall Islands. My goal is to honor Marshallese traditions here in Springdale, thousands of miles from their island home, and to help others appreciate the beauty and meaning behind these cultural art forms.