Making Art with Nature
Authored by Ariel Campos, Eliza Clarke, & Madison Vilhauer
Recommended Grade: 7th+
An activity to create art with items found in natural spaces around our creeks. Participants learn to be creative in the outdoors and exploring waste and decomposition. This activity establishes a connection to nature through art.
Utah Core Standards
Fine Arts - Standard 7–8.V.CR.6
Fine Arts - Standard 7–8.V.R.4
Materials
Items found in nature (leaves, stones, sticks, etc.)
Discussion Questions
How does this activity create identity and value of the waterway or natural space?
What does this teach about consumption and impermanence?
Lesson Plan
Go to a natural space with enough room to create artworks. Participants can gather individually or in groups.
Gather items (brightly-colored leaves, stones, sticks, etc.). Pick only what has already fallen.
Get creative! Create something with the collected objects.
Showcase each artwork and discuss what was used. Ask: How did this activity build a connection to the space? Do you value the space more? Why are these spaces important to protect? How can art be created without waste?
Visit the artworks in a week. How have they changed? Discuss the difference in decomposition of nature versus manmade materials.
Background
Making art with items collected in nature is an accessible, zero-waste, and free activity to create connection with nature [01]. It demonstrates temporary art to explore waste and decomposition and provide a different perspective on artworks [02].
Feedback
Did you use the curriculum? What did you think? Share your feedback to help us improve and refine this activity.
Sources
Cherdymova, EcoArt Therapy as a Factor of Students’ Environmental Consciousness Development (2019).
Burch, Art in nature, it's everywhere (2017).
