Heather Kerley (she/her) is a mixed media and fiber artist based in Maryland whose work encompasses a range of mediums, primarily fiber. She is interested in sustainability, ecology, and repairing our modern rift with the more-than-human world. In 2024, Kerley researched, drew, embroidered, and stitched by hand a large redwork quilt depicting the 23 species declared likely extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a meditation on grief and absence. The quilt will be featured in the Fragile Threads exhibit organized by the Royal School of Needlework at the Bankside Gallery in London from Feb. 23- March 7, 2027. Kerley has shown her work in the United States and Germany and has taught embroidery for several years. Currently, she teaches with the Smithsonian Associates Studio Arts Program and is a faculty member of the Washington Studio School in Washington, D.C.