Art and Birds with Casey Girard

About this episode

Casey Girard discusses the intersection of art, birds, and community care, sharing personal experiences and insights on neurodivergence and mental health.

In this episode of the Bird Joy Podcast, we're joined by Casey Girard [https://www.instagram.com/caseygirard], an autistic artist, illustrator, naturalist, educator, and birder based in Asheville, North Carolina, whose work lives at the intersection of art, birds, science, and community care. Casey shares how art and birding became sources of refuge, how early experiences in illustration and education shaped their visual storytelling, and why representation through projects like their Black Birders illustrations matters so deeply. We explore how neurodivergence influences creative practice and sensory connection to nature, the role of art in supporting mental health, and how birds can offer grounding and hope during difficult times. Casey also reflects on their recent collaboration with the Feminist Bird Club of Asheville [https://www.instagram.com/fbc.asheville/], which raised over $11,500 for BeLoved Asheville after Hurricane Helene [https://www.belovedasheville.com/rebuilding-hope-after-hurricane-helene/], an inspiring example of art as mutual aid. This heartfelt conversation centers art as refuge, birds as teachers, and the power of creativity and community in moments of…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dexter Patterson, Jason Hall

Guest: Casey Girard

Topics covered

• art
• birds
• neurodivergence
• mental health
• community care
• illustration
• education

Keywords

• art
• birds
• neurodivergence
• mental health
• illustration
• community
• education
• refuge
• representation
• creative practice

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Feminist Bird Club of Asheville, BeLoved Asheville, BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, In Color Birding Club

Places: Asheville, North Carolina

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