Valerie Mallory is an artist and sculptor based in Oakland, CA. She began creating art for Burning Man in 2004. In 2013, her work grew from the Center Camp Café to the open playa with a series of large-scale art installations, including “Womantree” (2014), “Soul Refuge” (2015), “The Bridge and the Cage” (2017), “The Garden of Relationships” (2018), “Bottled Up Genie” (2019), “Secretly Abandoned Spaces” (2022) and “Playful Again” (2023). Valerie is also a critical care registered nurse.

Mikell Haynes is an artist and designer who grew up everywhere from Long Island to Japan. Originally intending to be a fine artist he ended up working as a graphic designer before progressing into designing packaging and medical devices. He has attended every Burning Man since 1998 and been involved with seven on playa art projects and several Center Camp installations.

Jim Wolff (a.k.a. “Serg”) is headed to his 13th Burn. As a former member of the Center Camp Decor and Documentation teams, he's worked as an artist on numerous projects, including nine Center Camp fence murals and three Cafe kiosk displays of his paintings. Jim recently retired from the aerospace industry where he worked on various rocket engine programs and the Space Station Electric Power System. An avid hiker and yogi, he co-authored the book, “50 Trail Runs in Southern California.” He’s excited to get back to Black Rock City to help with Valerie's installation of Womantree in 2024, share his art, and support his theme camp, Ritual of Victory.

Jack of all trades and electric extraordinaire, Dusty has been attending the Burn since before it was cool. Dusty brings light and movement to all his art projects specializing in tiny art cars, moving art projects, and giant puppetry. You can find Dusty in his hometown of Santa Barbara lighting up the night with monthly parades and events.

Darrell Hunger (a.k.a. “Hunger”) has attended Burning Man since 2013. His base camp is Earth Guardians where he manages the information front desk. Over the years he has been involved in a number of art projects as the CAD designer or artist, including “Heart Burn” (2014) as artist, designer, builder, “Temple of Promise” (2015) as CAD designer of the front face (also called “the spire”), “Chilopod” (2018) as head CAD designer, and “Playa Beam” (2022) as co-artist and CAD designer. In the default world Darrell is an industrial designer and artist.

Davo Task (they/them) is a budding, multidisciplinary artist, farmer, and musician. Davo is pursuing their BFA in Textiles and also works with black and white film, found objects, sounds, spray paint, and wheat paste. Davo has been assisting Valerie since June 2023 and is honored to apprentice with her process and to be a part of the Womantree team! Davo is committed to cultural and environmental resilience, preserving the analog craft, and defending our planet.

Rocket Surgeon and Chief Bottle Washer. Former and future sailor, engineer and dabbler in the arcane. Ice and brine encrusted, with a bit of a fuzzy green complexion.

Writer Gwendolyn Alley (a.k.a. “Art Predator”) went to her first Burning Man in 1992; 2024 will be her 22nd Burn. She started spoken word and hung art in the Center Camp Café (1995), breastfed her toddler son Reed in BRC (2005), and worked as nanny for Bettie June of the Artery (2009). In 2014, she helped build a theme camp where she met Valerie and Mikell, and since then, she's helped Valerie on many projects.

Heather Thornton is a Bay Area native, multi-medium artist/maker, and entrepreneur. She received her BFA in 2000 from CCAC with a focus in glass casting, and worked closely in the glass art community consulting and providing raw materials to studio glass makers for over 25 years. She has assisted a variety of sculptors in the Bay expanding and refining her knowledge in mold making. Having worked with Valerie since June 2023, she's excited to jump in and help with Womantree.

Pat Mitchell Rusich (a.k.a. “Pat With a K”, “Little Miss Random”, and “Random Spark”) is a veteran burner, having been a member of Black Rock City for over 16 years. She's been an artist of some sort her entire life. Her first Burn she had one of those magical moments that everybody talks about and knew in her heart and soul that she needed to make something for the playa. Having been a part of support and build teams for a number of large-scale art installations, she's excited to help bring Womantree to the Burn in 2024.

A former theatrical electrician turned engineer focused on researching renewable energy, David Meakin is a master of moral support and feeding the troops. Equally at home with a micrometers and a mallets, David enjoys playing with all forms of matter and energy. Having spent years living in the deserts of New Mexico, he's bringing his expertise to the playa to build Womantree in 2024.

Nate (a.k.a. “Boots”) is a web developer and designer based in Palo Alto, CA who loves creative communities and large-scale art. In addition to developing the website for Womantree, he helps manage the online presence and visibility for the project. When he's not working on technology ventures, he enjoys backpacking in the Sierras.