Artist Alyssa Imes grew up in Emmitsburg, Maryland and currently lives near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. She received her undergraduate degree (BFA) from Shepherd University in 2018, during which time she created works with communal cast iron and knitted fibers. In 2021, she graduated from the University of Maryland with an MFA, producing a body of work that reflected the ideas of growth after trauma.  A polar opposite to her gallery work, her public works are fun, colorful, and vibrant. Most of the works in this series reference floral and growth elements. Across her art practices, the main element of inspiration remains the connections she makes with people and the interactions that follow.

Chill Bloom creates a space of safety and shelter for students experiencing college stress. Hammock-like in structure, it offers a place to lie, sit, or rest. Referencing the shape of a blooming tulip, it evokes early spring and the eagerness of tulips to be among the first flowers to bloom. Just like tulips, college students are eager and ready for a fresh start at their studies and college experience. Chill Bloom is Imes' way of giving students and staff a safe and relaxing place to recharge.