Boston, Cleveland, London, Los Angeles, Miami, NYC
Celebrating and documenting the universal human experiences that transcend politics, culture, and ideology.
Just as a tree records its life through rings of growth, every human life carries layers of experience—moments of joy, loss, resilience, change, and transformation. The Human Tree Ring Project makes these invisible layers visible. Participants engage in a story exchange, sharing personal narratives centered on lived experience—steering clear of ideology, political affiliation, and public debate. This nonpolitical public art initiative intentionally removes politics from the conversation, allowing human-centered connection to take center stage. Conceptual artist Megan Dyer translates each person’s journey into a visual portrait inspired by tree rings—a 'biograph' that represents the unique experiences of a person's life. When two stories intersect, their rings form a Vesica Pisces, a universal symbol of connection and shared humanity.
Step 1: Story Exchange
In a unique public art initiative, two people from different walks of life engage in a story exchange, sharing personal experiences through a guided conversation focused on listening, empathy, and understanding. Participants agree to avoid discussing political beliefs or affiliations, fostering a human centered connection.
Step 2: Transformation Into Art
Conceptual Artist and Founder, Megan Dyer, transforms each life story into a Human Tree Ring: a visual representation she created that encapsulates identity, growth, and lived experience through contemporary art.
Step 3: Rings Intersect
As paired stories overlap, they form a Vesica Pisces, illustrating the shared space where human lives connect.
Step 4: The City Becomes a Gallery
These artistic works are displayed throughout public spaces as large-scale installations, story flags, audio experiences, and performances, contributing to a nonpolitical public art experience.
Image of double Human Tree Rings forming a Vesica Pisces by Megan Dyer
In a world shaped by constant information and rapid judgment, genuine listening has become rare. The Human Tree Ring Project, a public art initiative, strengthens communities by fostering human-centered connection through:
-Encouraging deep listening and authentic communication
-Building relationships across differences,
-Supporting emotional and social well-being,
-Empowering to lead with empathy
-Creating connection without political influence
Through story exchange, when people feel understood, communities become stronger and more resilient.
You may encounter:
1. NEUTRALITY STATEMENT
The Human Tree Ring Project is intentionally designed to be a nonpolitical public art initiative.
Our mission is to strengthen human-centered connections through shared life stories, empathy, and understanding. To protect this mission, all project activities focus exclusively on lived experience — not political ideology, affiliation, or public policy.
We believe meaningful connection happens when people meet one another as human beings first.
What This Means
- No political messaging or advocacy
- No discussion of political affiliation or ideology in story exchanges
- No alignment with political parties or campaigns
- No policy debate or activism
- No use of the project for political purposes
- No ideological positioning of participants or partners
The project exists solely to promote listening, empathy, and shared humanity through contemporary art.
Why This Matters
In many spaces, conversation begins with division. This project creates space for understanding.
By removing politics, we allow for:
- authentic listening
- empathy
- genuine curiosity
- unexpected connection
- trust across differences
This neutrality protects participants, partners, and communities while ensuring the work remains universally accessible.
Our Guiding Principle:
Human experience is universal. Connection should be accessible to everyone.
2. NEUTRALITY GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK (Corporate Trust Section)
How We Maintain Neutrality
The Human Tree Ring Project follows structured safeguards to ensure all programming remains non-political:
- Editorial Oversight: All stories, materials, and installations undergo review to ensure they focus on lived experience and avoid political content.
- Facilitated Conversations: Participants receive structured interview guidance centered on personal experience, growth, and life journey.
- Clear Content Boundaries: Political affiliation, ideology, advocacy, or policy discussion is not included in project storytelling.
- Partner Protection Standards: Sponsors and collaborators are protected from unintended political association through clear usage and messaging guidelines.
- Independent Artistic Process: The project operates independently of political organizations, campaigns, and lobbying activity.
- Transparency: Our neutrality standards are public, documented, and consistently enforced.
3. PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES
Participant Story Guidelines
To preserve the integrity of the Human Tree Ring Project, participants agree to the content guidelines below.
Participants are encouraged to share:
- personal life experiences
- formative moments
- challenges and growth
- relationships and influences
- defining memories
- life transitions
- personal values shaped by experience
Content Exclusions
Participants agree to refrain from discussing:
- political affiliation
- political parties or candidates
- ideological advocacy
- policy positions
- activism messaging
- public political events
Purpose
These guidelines ensure every story centers on shared human experience and supports an environment of openness and respect, fostering a meaningful story exchange.
MGD Selfie in the Human Tree Rings
Etched Human Tree Rings on Mirrored Glass © All Rights Reserved
Megan Dyer is a New York–based conceptual artist whose work lies at the intersection of contemporary art, sound, systems, and perception. A former drafter and mentee of Sol LeWitt, Dyer honed her skills under the guidance of Denzil Hurley and Robert Morris, ultimately earning her MFA from Hunter College.
Her artwork has been exhibited internationally and is included in both public and private collections across the U.S. and Europe. Dyer's recent public art initiative, Human Tree Rings, delves into themes of collective portraiture and biography, emphasizing human-centered connection as a form of shared identity. In February 2026, she launched her Sonic Portraits project at the esteemed Paula Cooper Gallery in New York, which reimagines the traditional portrait through an auditory system of translation and cognition.
Megan Dyer's innovative ideas and work have garnered attention from notable publications such as AM New York: The Villager, Hyperallergic, and The New York Times.
Visit Megan Dyer's Website: www.MeganDyer.com
Sarah Ordway created the hallmark non-political and strategic positioning framework for The Human Tree Ring Project, a remarkable public art initiative that fosters human-centered connection. As a dynamic marketing communications professional, executive coach, up-and-coming author, and strategist, Sarah excels in her field. She is also a certified DISC behavioral analyst and clinical hypnotherapist, specializing in helping professional athletes, actors, media personalities, and C-level executives enhance their mindsets and performances. Ordway's deeply intuitive skill set complements her personable, no-nonsense style.
Specializing in professional writing, speech-writing, and technical articulation, Sarah is a creator, collaborator, and problem-solver adept at adapting to fast-paced environments. She thrives in creative cultures where innovation, meaning, and data-driven results are paramount.
Ordway’s personal and academic interests focus on improving complex systems, including patient safety in healthcare and addressing abuses of power in corporate leadership. She dedicates much of her free time to mentoring women and advocating for children with chronic illnesses. In 2018, Ordway wrote and delivered a Quality Grand Rounds presentation for physicians and healthcare providers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. Her speech highlighted the crucial role of doctor-patient communication in enhancing the patient experience and overall outcomes. Partnering with Cincinnati Sub-Zero’s then CEO, Ordway has also spoken at NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) conferences across the country.
Sarah began her career in news and sports radio, where she created and managed celebrity events. She developed a Speakers’ Bureau for professional athletes and broadcasters before returning to media as VP of Sales and Marketing for All Pro Appearances and StyleBostonTV. Ordway holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Liberal Studies, with concentrations in Business and Social Sciences from Northeastern University, and she looks forward to earning her PhD in the coming years.