Out of Darkness: The Ecology of Care

Featuring Local Artist Meg Wallace

Dates:
September 12, 2026 – September 11, 2027

Time: 
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last entrance at 3:00 p.m.)

Location: 
The Kampong (4013 South Douglas Road, Miami FL 33133)

What can the rhythms of nature teach us about care?
Life unfolds through seasons of light and darkness, growth and renewal.

Out of Darkness: The Ecology of Care is a multidisciplinary exhibition inspired by the living rhythms of South Florida’s mangrove ecosystems. Developed through field research and filming at The Kampong and surrounding coastal environments, the work explores an ecosystem in constant motion—where visible and unseen processes of adaptation, connection, and renewal sustain life.

Presented in the Galt Simmons Room, the exhibition invites visitors to consider how the rhythms of the natural world can deepen our understanding of care. Just as ecosystems depend on cycles of light and darkness, rest and activity, change and continuity, our own lives are shaped through seasons that foster resilience, healing, and growth. Rather than existing as opposites, light and darkness together reveal the interconnected patterns that sustain both ecological and human communities.

The exhibition features the premiere of the short film Whispers Beneath the Canopy, an immersive portrait of the mangrove ecosystem from dusk to dawn.

Artist Meg Wallace brings more than 20 years of experience in clinical and integrative healthcare, advocating for underserved populations and supporting individuals through moments of vulnerability, transition, and healing. This experience informs her artistic practice, grounding it in empathy, careful observation, and a sustained commitment to care. Her work reflects the legacy of Dr. Eleanor Galt Simmons and her philosophy of being “a doctor for all.” Through both service and art, Wallace explores the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, emphasizing accessibility, healing, and dignity.

Portions of the research and filming for this exhibition were supported by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.