For Jeila Gueramian, inspiration and source material is never farther away than the nearest thrift store. Gueramian grew up taking things apart and putting them back together in new ways. As an adult, she has made a career out of taking something common and homely and turning it on end, beckoning people of all ages to inspect, discover, and engage with her playful creations. Her large, wonder-filled installations are just as much about the audience’s interaction as they are about the objects themselves. Within the comfort of her soft, womb-like structures, the inner child in us feels free to emerge. This magical environment is full of whimsical creatures, hand-crafted from recycled textiles to become something fantastical, phantasmagoric, and yet never threatening. The monsters here are all friendly. The created world is warm and welcoming—a place where your imagination is safe to run wild and explore.