Public Commissions
Cool Cool Whirlpool
Scrollathon: Center for BrainHealth
2023
Commissioned by: The Center for BrainHealth, Dallas, Texas
Medium: Fiber, metal, glue, wood, ink, rubber, painted wood frame
Dimensions: 24 1/8 × 24 1/8 × 1 1/4 in. (Collaborative Masterwork); Signature Plate, each 8 ½ × 11 in.
Photograph: Courtesy of the artists
Created in: Dallas, Texas
Artists’ Registration Numbers:
Collaborative Masterwork: 2023.053.001–2023.053.005
Signature Sheet: 2023.054.001
Mini Portrait Mural: (Registration forthcoming)
Exhibition History: Scrollathon: Center for BrainHealth, The Center for BrainHealth, Dallas, Texas, 2023
The completed Collaborative Masterwork was unveiled during the Center’s annual celebration of neuroscience, innovation, and creativity, reflecting both the art and science of human connection.
Commission Overview
Commissioned by The Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas, Cool Cool Whirlpool was created during Brain Health Week 2023 as part of an ongoing collaboration between Steven and William Ladd and neuroscientist Dan Krawczynski. More than 50 participants—including researchers, students, and members of the local community—took part in Scrollathon sessions exploring the connection between artmaking, mindfulness, and cognitive health.
Artistic Approach
The making of Cool Cool Whirlpool followed the signature Scrollathon process, combining personal storytelling with collaborative creation. Each participant selected two fabric trimmings from a curated palette inspired by the concept of clarity and flow—tones of blue, silver, and black. Participants began by tightly wrapping the first trimming around a small wooden dowel, then seamlessly incorporated the second trimming before finishing the scroll.
Then we added hundreds of additional scrolls to fill the composition and unify its surface. The trays were then permanently affixed and finished by hand, creating a field of circular motion reminiscent of a whirlpool, symbolizing memory, flow, and collective rhythm.
Once complete, each scroll was secured with a pin and marked individually, some with initials, symbols, or miniature drawings, transforming every piece into a record of thought and presence. The scrolls were then placed into open trays, gradually filling them over the course of the sessions.
Engagement and Impact
This Scrollathon built upon a longstanding collaboration between the Ladds and the Center for BrainHealth, first established in 2019 through a collaboration with the Dallas Museum of Art. During that early engagement, Dr. Krawczynski described how creative processes like Scrollathon activate neural pathways and enhance emotional well-being—observing that “Never underestimate the impact of a single moment on the human brain to change the course of someone’s life.”
Participant Reflection
One participant titled their scroll Cat’s Day Off, explaining:
“Because even though we have the stresses of everyday life constantly, every day is a day off if you can shift your mindset. Like a cat.”
Their Hope for the Future was laughter:
“It’s one of the most important things.”
This reflection beautifully captures the spirit of Cool Cool Whirlpool—a reminder that mindfulness, humor, and creativity are powerful pathways to well-being.
The 2023 sessions deepened this dialogue, bringing together participants living with dementia, students, and staff for a shared experience of reflection, calm, and creative focus. Many described the repetitive, tactile act of scroll-making as meditative—a way to slow down thought and engage the senses.
Context and Legacy
Cool Cool Whirlpool represents the intersection of art and neuroscience at the heart of Scrollathon’s evolving practice. It demonstrates how collective making can enhance awareness, foster empathy, and support cognitive wellness.
Special Thanks
Dan Krawczynski and the team at The Center for BrainHealth
Acknowledgments
The Scrollathon team; Timothy Lewis and Babette Husson; Charles and Barbara Ladd; Mari and Gary Teeter; and Claude and Gina Falcone Skelton