2025 VAF Keynote Speaker: Hayley Morris

Hayley Morris is an artist and animation director based in Vermont, working under the studio name Shape & Shadow. Specializing in mixed media and stop-motion animation, she creates visually captivating stories that come to life through intricate textures, handcrafted details, and inventive storytelling. Her work spans a wide range of applications, including commercials, music videos, projection design, miniature fabrication, and short-form animation for both documentaries and feature films.
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She's had the opportunity to collaborate with clients such as MTV, Netflix, Sesame Street, and Burt’s Bees, as well as work with musicians like Explosions in the Sky, Iron & Wine, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Hilary Hahn - creating visuals that complement their music and creative vision.
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Hayley’s approach to animation is deeply rooted in experimentation with physical materials—paper, clay, fabric, fibers, found objects, and natural elements. She strives to tell stories that are both playful and poetic, blending character-driven and abstract elements with a tactile, sensory quality. In an era dominated by digital media, she values the presence of the artist’s hand in her work, and mixed media and stop-motion animation offer the ideal way for her to explore these ideas.
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You can see more of her work here: www.shapeandshadow.com

