ARTIST . ECOLOGIST . WRITER
Dawn “Cricket” Desmarais
Cricket currently freelances & is available for hire. Though she loves the Keys, its ecology, & the community, she is available to relocate should the right opportunity present itself.
With a unique blend of in-field & onshore professional experience, creativity, & strategy, D. Cricket Desmarais meets obstacles with curiosity, resilience, & an eye towards sustainable, nature-based solutions & innovative, holistic thinking.
A marine ecologist & scientific research diver with Society of Ecological Restoration CERPIT qualifications, a strategic communicator & stakeholder collaborator, & an award-winning interdisciplinary artist, writer, & educator that explores the intersection of ecology & creativity, she applies her expertise to support habitat restoration, ecological storytelling, and environmental advocacy.
She holds degrees in marine science and fine arts from the College of the Florida Keys, New York University, and the University of New Hampshire that support her interdisciplinary approach to conservation, inquiry, and engagement.
She lives in Key West, Florida with her two daughters, two cats, & sheltie, & leverages her experience in scientific diving, field research, & as an eco-tour captain with her background in project management, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, & art to contribute to the restoration of local coral reefs & surrounding ecosystems.
HER MISSION AS AN ARTIST?
TO BRING AWARENESS TO WONDER & inspire STEWARDSHIP IN OTHERS.
She has over 15 years of experience leading workshops that integrate artistic practice, mindfulness, and environmental awareness, using innovative ways to communicate complex ecological concepts through visual and written narratives.
In her own creative work, she bridges art & science with diverse mediums to create immersive works that explore marine ecology, the power of research-driven storytelling, & the cultural narratives of island life. A prequalified Art in Public Places artist in the Florida Keys, her mission is to foster a sense of connection & curiosity to the sea & its ecology so that we remember our place in the order of things.