“Outside of Us” is a fusion of dance, music, and painting inspired by the resilience and interpersonal relationships of the animal residents at the refuge. The film features wearable paintings made by 2023 Artist in Residence, Sarah Fox, that depict many of the residents. Dance Artist, Grace Cuny, can be seen dancing in these wearable paintings at each of the featured residents enclosures, responding to their environment, personalities, and sounds created by musician, RAN.

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Through my time at the Refuge, I took the role of an observer. I've had the opportunity to watch the residents interact and gain insight into their relationships with one another and themselves. I have been able to witness tender moments, moments of rivalry, of joyous play, and peace. I was very inspired by the residents' surroundings and how they respond to landscapes that are on one hand so primally natural, yet so foreign when compared to their previous life experiences. In each of these interactions, I was able to sit quietly and watch these residents communicate with one another and their surroundings, outside of human constraints. These moments seemed special and I felt privileged to witness them.