Lexington, Ky. (April 1, 2025) – For over a decade, Chris Grenier has pursued her passion for backpacking. She fell in love with her hobby while earning a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Transylvania.
Grenier became engrossed in the hiker's highs after his first trip with a group of young scientists in a summer research program.
“A farmhouse in the middle of a New Hampshire forest had 12 aspiring young scientists and me,” Grenier said. “We did research all week, and on weekends there was nothing to do other than hiking up a nearby high peak. I've never been to a mountain like that and fell in love with them on my first hike.”
After learning about backpacking, he hiked and camped while carrying all the necessary gear in his backpack – Grenier knew he had found a lifelong passion.
“Since then, I've spent most of my summers in the woods, recording 9,200 miles of backpacking,” Grenier said.
However, some of those summer adventures were interrupted, forcing Grenier to spend more time in British healthcare than in the trails.
After graduating from the University of Transylvania in 2011, Grenier set out for the Appalachian Trail, completing 400 miles on her first backpacking trip.
In 2013, her plans took an unexpected turn when she began to struggle with her health.
“When I was 23 and quickly graduated from university, I moved to New England for a year of service at Americaorps. While serving in the environmental field, I fell ill,” Grenier said. “It derailed the plan I had and I spent months in bed.”
After months of illness and medical testing, Grenier returned to Kentucky, where he was diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mite.
Even after being diagnosed, Grenier's health continued to become spiral. She experienced extreme fatigue and kidney problems and struggled to recover. The illness of remission led to multiple medical appointments and consultations with UK healthcare professionals.
“Experienced all that young made me really wonder why we are here and how we can make life meaningful,” Grenier said. “I started thinking about how to make the most of my time here.”
Grenier found herself at home on her family's rural Kentucky farm, fighting chronic illnesses and facing an uncertain future. Unable to do traditional work due to her health, she looked for new ways to spend time indoors rather than on the trail.
“My family had a flock of pet sheep so there was wool around the house and we had all the photos from the hike,” Grenier said. “It was an experiment. Suddenly, I was sitting with these wool, these memories, and a lot of time.
That's when she discovers a new passion: felt. This art form involves manipulating wool fibers into shape and design.
“I started to copy the work of the masters for learning. I felt the 'starring night',” Grenier said. “It all evolved from there. My first fair was featured on the show and I was welcomed into the art world. It started out as an artistic experiment, but it grew into an art practice.”
While at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, Grenier was drawn to the artwork on the wall. Hospital art was more than decoration. It has become a source of inspiration and a reminder of beauty and creativity that goes beyond doctor appointments and medical examinations.
Every day, Grenier focused on taking her life one step at a time, finding joy in simple moments and not giving up on the life she wanted to live.
She often found inspiration through the words of poet Mary Oliver.
The quote took on new meaning for Grenier. Over time, she learned to stay healthy while doing what she loves.
In 2024, the UK Healthcare Programme heard about Grenier's felt artwork through Arts Arts Connect, a non-profit arts organization in Lexington. After seeing her work, the British Arts of Healthcare Manager knew that Jason Akhtalekhavari had to be exhibited at Chandler Hospital, UK.
“After talking to Chris a few times and meeting her in person, I quickly realized that she has a very kind and beautiful soul,” Ahtalehavali said.
He asks Grenier if she wants to have her own exhibit in the hospital, and she agrees without hesitation.
In January 2025, Grenier's exhibit, Wild and Precious, opened in the hall of Chandler Hospital in the UK, bringing peace and hope to patients.
“I wanted to do a show in the UK. Patients are often in severe and infertile environments,” Grenier said. “I want my art to feel like a connection to the world of beauty, normality and life outside of hospitals.
The exhibit was inspired by Grenier's personal experience and hiking such as the Pacific Crest Trail and Camino de Santiago. It also features fairings from Sheltweet Race, a long trail in Kentucky. Her work explores identity and personal experiences and connects them to the natural world through memory and emotions.
“Despite the health challenges, Chris achieved so much and created these beautiful and exciting works of art,” Akhtalekhavari said. “The fact that she uses family sheep wool to create a landscape inspired by a long journey is very unique. It's this combination of aesthetically beautiful art and Chris' journey that will make it a truly impactful display that is perfect for a healthcare setting.”
Grenier's goal is to make her artwork connectable, just like hospital visitors did as patients.
Chronic illness continues to be a part of her life, but thanks to her UK healthcare and her creative outlets, she lives a balanced life she loves.
“I've created a life that doesn't need to recover, but be careful not to put too much stress on me,” Grenier said. “I'll balance it, schedule it very carefully, and have the energy to prepare and time to recover.”
Grenier's exhibition will be on display at the Chapel Gallery of Chandler Hospital, UK until April 30th. Patients, families, providers, staff, students and community members are invited to visit any time to explore the exhibit. Click here to learn more about the exhibition and its location at the hospital.
