Nature is the Canvas

In honor of the Earth Day holiday and our Dominican Sisters who actively educate others to care for God’s gift of creation, each year Mrs. Meghan Slater works with students to create beautiful projects using natural materials they find on campus. This year, her St. Agnes 6^th grade class participated in the project.

Mrs. Slater shared, “I love taking students outside to connect with nature and explore natural art that surrounds them daily on our campus from an artistic perspective. We talk about our role in respecting and caring for the Earth. The students always amaze me with their creations and how they work together on this project!” 

Years ago, the idea for this activity was inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, an English sculptor, photographer, and environmentalist. “Andy Goldsworthy is one of my favorite sculptors and environmentalists because of his unique ways of working with nature and the elements. He has the ability to discover natural materials that are site specific and create ephemeral, delicate works that highlight themes of decay, time, and regeneration,” Mrs. Slater explained.

This project is just one example of the many creative ways Mrs. Slater introduces her students to different artists and their unique styles. “I think it is important to expose young students to real life artists for them to create connections and understand diverse career paths. Understanding the variety of art careers and artistic styles helps the students connect to different perspectives and hopefully inspire their own creativity,” she said.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it holds, the world and those who live there.” (Psalms 24:1)