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Art in Nature Day

Fifth graders explore trails behind school, create artwork
Posted on 10/25/2024

Ellie Cruickshank and her fifth grade peers explored some trails behind Chancellor Livingston Elementary School and created artwork to return to the trails during Art in Nature Day.

“I learned that nature can be in all shapes and sizes and sometimes you can rearrange them to make it more beautiful,” she said.

Cruickshank said her group created artwork from the leaves and wood they grabbed on the trails.

“I feel it’s going great. We are processing what we need to do and so far we’re painting it,” she said. “I’m having a lot of fun. I love art. It’s all around us and it makes me feel really happy what art and nature have in common.”

This is the fourth year that fifth graders at the elementary school participated in this art in nature adventure. This year’s two-day venture began with local artist Norm Magnusson speaking to students, having them look at different images from famous artists who did art in nature work.

Magnusson returned the next day and joined parental volunteers, who assisted students through the trails behind the elementary school to collect items such as tree branches, leaves and tree bark.

The students collected these items during a 90-minute session before lunch and returned after lunch for about 90 minutes to complete their artwork before bringing their creation back to the trails behind the school.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to get the whole grade together for something,” said fifth grade teacher Jill Simmons.

“It’s a day of team building and being outdoors. We have these beautiful trails right in our backyard. There are so many students who go back in the woods and never knew there were trails back here. We want to give them exposure to different areas of art and nature.”

Students worked in small groups.

“Everyone has a voice and has a chance to contribute,” said Simmons. “The staff loves it. I think the students have a great time. We group them randomly and they are able to take on different leadership roles with different peers and work with students from other classes.”

Ellis Duncan used water colors to paint a piece of birch bark.

“It’s been really good. I want to learn more about this,” he said.