Camryn Gulledge is an MFA candidate at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. She received her BFA from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. Growing up in the Deep South, Camryn developed a strong connection to nature and a sense of being “other” within her surroundings as a neurodivergent queer woman.

From an early age, she spent much of her time outdoors with the sole purpose of interacting with herps—reptiles and amphibians. Her lifelong fascination with herpetology continues to shape her work, focusing on species often misunderstood or feared, particularly snakes and other wildlife inhabiting waterways affected by human activity. These creatures are vital to their ecosystems and serve as indicator species, among the first to feel the effects of pollution and habitat destruction.

Camryn’s practice combines fieldwork, collection, and documentation to reflect on human impact and the act of paying attention with empathy and care.