Renowned for her dramatic allegorical paintings of animals, Melissa W. Miller explores the interplay between wildlife and humanity, often emphasizing the harmful impact of human activity on the environment. In her first site-specific sculpture, Wild Grapes and Herons, Miller departs from this somber narrative and infuses it with optimism by portraying a “Peaceable Kingdom.” Using an ornamental style reminiscent of the 1920s Art Nouveau Movement, Miller whimsically incorporates silhouettes of native flora and fauna common to the South-Central Texas region. Drawing inspiration from Kay’s Grove memorial garden, Miller pays homage to the late Kay Kerr Walker’s love for nature and enduring legacy, while encouraging visitors to pause, contemplate the natural beauty of the garden, and find solace in this graceful vignette.