Today, overconsumption and a lack of connection with nature are worsening the health of our planet. Appreciate Your E(art)h focuses on combating these challenges by making art with either earth-given materials or recycled matter. My goal is for both my students and audience to feel inspired to appreciate the planet by repurposing their waste in creative ways and to find ways to be creative in nature.

History & Distinction:

In prehistoric times, cavepeople created paintings and carvings on cave walls to communicate (Clottes). Anything they used to create was naturally occurring, proving that art with natural materials is the root of artistic practice. 

We still use art to spread messages today, but with more advanced materials and technology, resulting in less focus on the natural roots.

The University of Derby published a 2019 study creating a “Nature Connectedness Index,” where the average national level of connectedness was 61 out of 100, with the lowest scorers aged 12-29. This proves that there is a spike in the disconnect in young adults (Richardson).

The loss of connection to nature also worsens the climate crisis due to a lack of knowledge on how to care for our Earth (Richardson). I decided to formulate a workshop to address these issues artistically. By practicing art with nature and recycled materials, students were able to reconnect with the Earth by using its materials and reusing harmful waste.

Methods:

I drew inspiration from my interests and experiences to formulate my workshop. I spend plenty of time outdoors but also have experience in community service, education, and crafting. I included skills from my education classes throughout our class periods for effective learning: warm-ups to get to know my students, lectures on nature art history/climate exigency, crafts based on the unit we were in, and discussions of the lecture and how the activity went.

A goal of mine was to teach students how to personalize these crafts, since the only way these conservation practices will stick is to make them with self-interest. I also created a Pinterest board to give examples/variations of each activity that students could consult for inspiration. This prepared students for their final projects, designing their own craft with only a few required guidelines.

Audience & Impact:

There is a dip in people’s connection with nature from 11 years old, with an increase eventually by age 30 (Richardson). Those who score high on the NCI are more satisfied with life, happy, and less anxious. This project is mainly for young adults, as my goal was to reconnect them and also experience this. I achieved my goal, but now I also see how nature inspires others’ creativity. I also furthered my knowledge of art history and climate statistics. I plan to apply this knowledge as a future educator, understanding the cause-and-effect relationship that knowledge and exigency have on artistic inspiration. I plan to implement this into my future classroom to help educate a new generation that takes care of their planet.

References:

Clottes, Jean. “Cave Art.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 26 Mar. 2025, www.britannica.com/art/cave-art.

Richardson, Miles. “New Study Pinpoints When Teenagers Fall Out of Love with Nature.” University of Derby, 3 July 2019, www.derby.ac.uk/news/2019/new-study-pinpoints-when-teenagers-fall-out-of-love-with-nature-/. 

Acknowledgements:

I would like to start off by thanking Harold Burgess, Heather Bremenstuhl, Irene Park, and my TA, Julia Feller, for allowing me to complete this workshop with consistent guidance, feedback, and advice. I would also like to give thanks for the support of supplies and a classroom from the Arts Faculty. I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize my workshop students, who always came to class eager to learn and create. I also want to thank my peers, specifically fellow workshop leaders, for the teamwork put into Arts Fest as a whole and for being there to support each other throughout the semester. Lastly, I want to thank my parents for helping me brainstorm ideas throughout my development process and for donating recyclables and stones. Thank all of you for helping me carry out my vision for over a year!