Lily DiBenigno grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and now lives in Harrisonburg. They attended Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts where they majored in Craft and Material Studies. Lily describes creating as a large part of who they are – and has been for as long as they can remember. Art is their guiding light, a source of comfort, and a means of processing both their inner world and the chaotic outer world.

“Creating helps me connect with others in ways that words cannot, engaging with ideas and feelings that can escape language.” Lily, inspired by the natural world and the subconscious mind, goes on to say that they find creating to be meditative as it is an act of channeling energy and emotions into something tangible.

Gaining an in depth understanding of different materials and how they response to their touch is “endlessly fascinating,” so Lily works with a wide variety of mediums. Knowledge about one may translate to another in surprising ways. Recently they are focusing on fiber art, exploring shapes and textures through touch, experimenting with abstract forms and imaginary creatures, making some of those posable with wire armatures.