By Jenny Zeller
I’m excited to announce the newest members of the Arts in Nature team!
First, meet our Arts & Landscape Specialist, Philip Rodriguez. Philip handles all physical, logistical, and horticultural aspects of the Arts in Nature program, including routine artwork and landscape maintenance.
As the co-owner of Rhize Botanicals, an importer of rare and exotic succulents, cacti, and tropical plants, Philip brings a wealth of plant expertise. His experience as a climbing arborist with Limbwalker Tree Service and Crestwood Cutters has honed his skills in maintaining deciduous trees using advanced climbing and rigging techniques. Additionally, as the former Product Brand Manager at Oak Island Creative, Philip worked directly with artists to design products and managed the logistics of creative installations.
Philip holds a BA in Art History and a BFA in Glass and Ceramics from the University of Louisville. He is also an avid outdoor enthusiast, having hiked 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and enjoys skiing, backpacking, rappelling, paddleboarding, rock climbing, caving, hiking, and cycling.
Next, we welcome Teresa Koester as our Arts Program Coordinator. Teresa provides administrative, creative, and operational support to the Arts in Nature programs and activities, assisting with visiting artists and public engagement opportunities.
Teresa is a visual artist and creative collaborator who bridges nature, education, activism, and the arts. With over 24 years of experience as a nationally recognized teaching artist, she has developed art curriculums at both university and high school levels. Currently, she teaches painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture at cultural centers throughout Louisville. Teresa regularly exhibits her work at juried art fairs and galleries across the U.S. and was recently awarded a 2022 Art Enrichment Grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women to create a series of watercolor landscape paintings inspired by conversations with female land stewards in Kentucky.
Philip and Teresa bring incredible expertise and passion to the Arts in Nature team. Their skills will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the program and Bernheim as a whole. I’m eager to take this department to the next level with their contributions!
