Arvolyn is an Educator, Herbalist, Flower Essence Practitioner, DJ and Artist. Arvolyn grew up in the small rural town of Kent, Connecticut.
She was raised with a never-ending curiosity about plants and the natural world. However, it wasn't until after college when many of her family members started to get sick that she wanted to educate herself about wellness and healthy living. Arvolyn enrolled at Twin Star Connecticut's School of Herbalism and Energetic Studies where she spent 140 hours learning about Foundational Herbalism. It was in this program that Arvolyn's world opened up to the beauty, power and sacred practice of Herbalism.
Arvolyn started Gold Feather Shop in 2016. She always had a way of finding fallen feathers when out in nature and sees them as a reminder of her ancestors.
Photo of Arvolyn in Japan in 2018
My Story
Arvolyn started Gold Feather Shop in 2016 to sell her African and Indigenous inspired Dreamcatchers and Hula hoops. This was a way to link together her own Black and Indigenous ancestry in art form. The online shop also included herbal tinctures made by Arvolyn with some of her favorite herbs like Tulsi. Gold Feather shop now has evolved to include more of Arvolyn’s art including pressed flower phone cases and, since Quarantine, reusable face masks. Although the products have shifted over the years, what remains the same is that everything in the shop are unique pieces that connect you to nature and all are handmade by Arvolyn.
Photo by: Sontenish Myers
I did a TED Talk!
Arvolyn encourages us to make efforts to help people in our communities cultivate a relationship with nature. Arvolyn Hill develops innovative nature and botany activities for the Gardens’ youngest visitors as the Coordinator of Family Programs at the New York Botanical Garden. In January of 2020, Arvolyn piloted the program Black History Month: Rooted in Plants which featured six activities around the incredible influence that people of the African Diaspora have had on the botanical world. Arvolyn is a 2019 Emerging Leader for the Beetles Project for Science and Teaching for Field Educators at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Arvolyn is a trained Racial Justice Facilitator and has taught Racial Justice and Equity workshops at the New York Botanical Garden. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Ancestor Vaughn Stubbs
Vaughn Stubbs was a Black, Queer, Philly based Painter, Artist, Jewelry Maker, Sculpture and Fiber Artist. He was also Arvolyn’s Uncle. Vaughn taught Arvolyn much of what she knows about art, how to sew and gave her first sewing machine to her. Vaughn passed away in 2016 after battling cancer for several years. He left behind an incredible legacy of iconic artwork from quilts to pins including his curated fabric collection. In memory of Vaughn, we are sewing reusable masks using playful printed fabrics he collected for his quilts including the Trollz, Retro Red and Vine Mask.
Vending Experiences
Gold Feather has vended at AfroPunk Music Festival in Brooklyn, Elements Music Festival Festival in the Bronx and Chesapeake Herb Gathering in Maryland. She has also participated in Black Arts Fair at Playground Coffee Shop, Make Manifest BK and Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York.
Herbalism Education Offerings
Arvolyn has taught Herbalism workshops at the ChaShaMa, GrowTogether GreenThumbs NYC Conference, Ylang Ylang Herbal Gathering, Chesapeake Herb Gathering, Holisticism, Twin Star Tribe, Fotografiska NYC and the Women of Color Solidarity Conference. Arvolyn co-facilitates a Lunar Herbs workshop series with Moon Mother Apothecary.
Flower Essence Podcast for BIPOC
Arvolyn went on to study flower essences at the Wild Ginger Herbal Center in Costa Rica. While there, Arvolyn met Ellenie Cruz of Asc3nsion Art as the only two people of color on the trip we decided to start a virtual community offering BIPOC identifying folks who aren’t always represented in the FE field. Arvolyn and Ellenie co-host the podcast Oshun's Garden a virtual platform for BIPOC folks on flower essence and spiritual healing.
New York Botanical Garden
At the New York Botanical Garden, Arvolyn develops innovative nature and botany activities for the Gardens’ youngest visitors as the Coordinator of Family Programs. In January of 2020, Arvolyn piloted the program Black History Month: Rooted in Plants which featured six activities around the incredible influence that people of the African Diaspora have had on the botanical world. Arvolyn is a 2019 Emerging Leader for the Beetles Project for Science and Teaching for Field Educators at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Arvolyn is a trained Racial Justice Facilitator and has taught Racial Justice and Equity workshops at the New York Botanical Garden.
Photo by: Marlon Co
A DJ for all communities
Arvolyn started dee-jaying after college in 2011 after moving back home to the small town where she grew up because there was no place to dance to the music she enjoyed. She gained a following, becoming known for spinning hula hoops and jams to create a unique dance environment that leaves people feeling a sense of community in small towns where clubs aren’t found. DJ Doctor has performed at Spring for Sound Music Festival, Five Senses Festival as well as weddings, proms and private events.