Responding to Nature through Art

At Big Bend National Park

It is sadly possible, in our technology-centered world, for our students (and us, for that matter) to have little contact with the natural environment. Many of us can step directly from the kitchen into the garage, get in the car, drive to work, and possibly park in another garage, all the while plugged into a Smart phone or cell phone. Sometimes it takes a rude awakening, such as a hurricane, tsunami, ice storm, or blizzard to make us sit up and take note of our natural surroundings.

As art teachers, though, through art we have the power to help open our students' eyes to the beauty and wonder of the natural environment which surrounds them. Students can reflect on both past and present artists' responses to nature (from cave paintings to Andy Goldsworthy), examine contemporary environmental issues, and create their own interpretations of the natural world. And taking more notice of nature ourselves will, perhaps, make us better stewards and better teachers (or at least, a little calmer!).