How to ‘Write in Trees’ Artist Katie Holten on the creation of her new Tree Alphabet Amy Brady
|
Posted By: Hija Chang on August 03, 2025 Photo of Katie Holten by Dillon Cohen This month I have for you a fascinating interview with Katie Holten, a visual artist and self-proclaimed “resistance fighter” based in New York City. She’s the creator of the New York City Tree Alphabet, an interactive project that let’s you type in trees. Really! (Not an affiliate link.) Katie grew up in Ireland and studied Fine Art and History of Art at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, the Hochschule der Kunst in Berlin, Cornell University in New York and Complexity at the Santa Fe Institute in New Mexico. She is also the author of the book About Trees. Katie has been the recipient of numerous grants and fellowships, including a Fulbright Scholarship, Pollock Krasner Award, and multiple Bursaries from the Arts Council of Ireland. She is a recent fellow of the Arts and Humanities Residency at the NYC Urban Field Station awarded by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and the US Forest Service. Amid all this activity and success she found time to talk to me about her Tree Alphabet. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! Amy: What is the New York City Tree Alphabet? Katie: The New York City Tree Alphabet (not an affiliate link) is a new ABC. Each letter of the Latin alphabet is replaced by a drawing of a tree from NYC Parks’ existing native and non-native trees, as well as species to be planted as a result of the changing climate. For example, A = Ash, B = Birch, C = Crabapple. It’s a font and an alphabetical planting palette, allowing us to plant living messages with trees. I wanted to create something beautiful, accessible, and fun, but also practical (it’s a planting guide), serious (it deals with New York City’s changing climate), and ridiculous or curious (why on earth write with trees?!). Look further into this concept https://medium.com/@amybradywrites/how-to-... Image https://www.asymptotejournal.com/blog/2015... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Hija Chang
Management, See Moss Interactive Bellarmine University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Photos
 |
ArtworkHi All! Here are a few photos from my art portfolio. If interested in commissions, please feel free to contact me via email at kreativekc123@gmail.com. Thanks! ...more
Kiera Cunningham • 411 Views • April 15th, 2026 |
Popular Photos
 |
HBCU kidz, Inc.Education! Important GEAR for LIFE.
Looking for a UNIQUE and INSPIRATIONAL GIFT for children 0-6 years old? ...more
Joan E. Gosier HBCUkidz.com • 32,094 Views • May 6th, 2009 |
 |
HBCU kidz Family Heritage Gift BasketsNewborn Baby Family Heritage Gift Baskets... What do you think? ...more
Joan E. Gosier HBCUkidz.com • 29,821 Views • May 6th, 2009 |
 |
HBCU kidz Family Heritage BlanketCustom designed baby blankets with family heritage inscriptions... What do you think? ...more
Joan E. Gosier HBCUkidz.com • 29,798 Views • May 6th, 2009 |
 |
Here I am! College Material Class of 2028!Every baby was born with a purpose... What do you think? ...more
Joan E. Gosier HBCUkidz.com • 28,528 Views • May 6th, 2009 |
