Healing Threads explores paths to wellness

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – An art exhibition taking visitors on a journey from darkness to light is coming to Laramie County Community College. 

“Healing Threads” by Denver native Tiffany Matheson will be in LCCC’s Esther and John Clay Fine Arts Gallery through Dec. 14. The gallery is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The public is invited to a reception from noon-1:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium lobby with an artist talk to follow at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. 

When entering “Healing Threads,” viewers will be greeted with hanging ribbon. A journey from darkness on the outside will continue to light in the center where a sculpture of a tabernanthe iboga plant rests in the center. The iboga is a plant medicine used in coming-of-age ceremonies and is also used to treat trauma, addiction and more, Matheson said.

After an experience at a Costa Rican wellness center focused on iboga treatments last year, Matheson said she was compelled to convey that life-altering experience with audiences of her art. 

“It just absolutely changed my life and I knew I had to find a way to share that with other people,” she said. 

After exploring a career in international business, Matheson took a sharp turn in studying to be an herbalist. While finishing her biology program, she took an art course that ended up inspiring her to pursue her creative side. Today, Matheson said her art often explores her curiosity of materials, such as wood, metal, plastics, fiber, electronics and acrylics. 

“I was homeschooled growing up, so I always had this curious brain that was encouraged with a lot of play,” she said. “I think that’s why I was drawn to the sciences, because you can play and discover. And that’s the kind of thing I’m doing with art.” 

For more information about the “Healing Threads” exhibition or LCCC’s art programs, contact Daniel Maw at dmaw@lccc.wy.edu or 307.432.1692.