CENTREVILLE — At the recent Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Annual Conference, educators from across the state converged to share best practices and innovative strategies aimed at advancing Maryland’s environmental literacy initiatives within the Queen Anne’s County Public School (QACPS) system.
Among the diverse range of sessions offered, one stood out for its holistic approach to education: Releasing and Redirecting through Art and Nature. Cassie Hosler, QACPS’s 2022 Teacher of the Year and art instructor at Church Hill Elementary participated, along with QACPS Science Supervisor Michael Page. Throughout the workshop they both explored a multisensory journey into the world of art creation intertwined with nature’s embrace.
“We began by immersing ourselves in the textures and scents of various herbs, accompanied by a melodic backdrop of Native American music and guided meditation,” shared Hosler. Participants were then prompted to express their sensations and emotions through art, utilizing charcoal, water-soluble oil pastels, and tempera paint sticks. “The experience was not only incredibly relaxing but also profoundly inspiring, fostering a deep engagement with our natural surroundings,” she added, noting what a great addition it was to have Mr. Page’s participation!
Michael Page emphasized the fusion of nature and art as a means of expression, stating, “This experience exemplified how environmental literacy seamlessly integrates with visual and performing arts, and vice versa.” Inspired by the sensory journey, Page created a vibrant artwork reflecting his breathing pattern during the session. “With each breath, I envisioned transforming negative hues of purples and blues into vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds, symbolizing a shift from negativity to positivity,” he explained.
“I think it is exciting when we can connect different disciplines such as art and environmental literacy so that students in our classes can explore complex concepts from multiple perspectives, which leads to deeper comprehension and retention of knowledge,” said Page. “Art provides a creative outlet for students to express their ideas and thoughts. Conversely, the environment offers a framework/structure for understanding the principles behind artistic techniques and concepts. “
Michael Bell, QACPS Fine Arts Supervisor, praised Supervisor Michael Page for creating the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaborations, envisioning the outdoor classrooms Page brought to QACPS as fertile ground for multi-sensory art experiences.” This could open doors for cross-curricular explorations, even outdoor visual journaling projects,” Bell remarked, eagerly anticipating the implementation of outdoor art projects across QACPS schools. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to foster a deeper connection with nature while empowering students to express themselves creatively,” he added.
As Queen Anne’s County Public Schools continue to embrace innovative approaches to education, the integration of art and nature stands out as a positive approach to enriching students’ well-being and environmental literacy for generations to come.