Jessica Hefford and I created a series of whimsical snail sculptures for CB Nuit's 2024 Spirals. Scattered along West Street, these snails transformed the act of wandering into a gentle treasure hunt, encouraging festival-goers to pause, look closer, and delight in unexpected encounters.

Each snail carried a spiraling shell made from recycled and found materials, celebrating the beauty and potential of what is often overlooked. They left behind a flowing trail that gestured to the stories of where they had been. 

The snails interacted with the world around them in humorous and surprising ways. One was caught painting portrait, tiny easel in place, while another playfully “stole” food from a vendor’s stall. These scenes wove storytelling into the festival environment, balancing whimsy with wonder and grounding the installations.

mummer snail, food snail, painter snail looking for models, party snail, some snails crossing the road, a gay snail

At its heart, this work was about transformation: of materials, of space, and of the everyday moments we might otherwise overlook. By animating these gentle creatures, we sought to spark joy, conversation, and imagination within the CB Nuit experience.