Image courtesy of Janis Cleugh, Tri-City News
Back in 2022, I was the artist-in-residence at Lions Park in Port Coquitlam. This residency has been a catalyst for my artistic practice.
I offered a variety of nature-based art workshops in connection with Lions Park in Port Coquitlam as part of my artist residency in their field house.
Workshops included an artfully led invasive species walk, drawing with the new rain garden, and exploring eco-printing in a variety of ways.
During this art residency, I engaged the public in nature connected art workshops, and focused on community care as the catapult to creating a public art installation of the art work we created together. This project was community-led, I simply facilitated it. I have worked with a local community school to have the young students contribute, with youth day camps, and with adults from the general public. During this residency, we focused on the energies of the park, including the plants, river, trees, weather, train and community via artfully-led invasive species walks, drawing with the rain garden, and eco-printing.
We took a short yet immersive walk through Lions Park. During this walk I introduced participants to several invasive species growing in Lions Park park, shared how they may have gotten here, what they do, and ways participants can incorporate them into their art making. Following the walk, we got to reflect on what we learned through a drawing activity. Colouring pages featuring select invasive species, along with paper and basic art materials such as crayons, pencils and erasers were available so everyone had the opportunity to make art.
During this workshop, participants used plant material and iron water on fabric to create unique prints. These fabric prints were then be installed as part of a larger art installation in Lions Park. Each workshop will vary, as the group will focus on one method of eco-printing each session using the natural materials available at the time.
This was a drop in workshop- anyone could attend at anytime during the workshop. The intention was to gather and witness the rain garden as it takes form. We sat alongside it, sketching our favourite parts. Colouring pages inspired by the rain garden and blank paper were available, along with basic art materials such as crayons, pencils, and erasers.
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