2024 Young Environmentalists Program Now Enrolling!
2024 marks the third year of Young Environmentalists!
During this 9-week program, young people have the opportunity to work with a variety of professional artists and activist groups to focus on how art and environmentalism intersect, and how to make their voices heard about the issues that matter most to them. Students will identify an environmental issue that is personally resonant, learning different art-making techniques that will culminate in a large-scale, artful public demonstration, featuring giant hand-made puppets, in town at the end of the program, and again during the 4th of July parade! Young Environmentalists is intended for students aged 13-15, but please reach out if you know a young person outside of this age range who might be interested.
Areas of focus and projects will include:
Sense of Place
Artistic Collaboration
Mural Painting
Design/Messaging
Printmaking/DIY Publishing
Waste Systems and Creative Reuse
Large-scale sculptural puppet building (with special guests String and Shadow Theater Company)
Artful Activism/Demonstrating
The central focus of this program will be facilitated by Olympia-based puppet theater company String and Shadow, who will come to San Juan Island for three days (April 19-21) to lead a crash course in large-scale puppet construction. Students will learn about the different construction techniques and materials available to them, and design a project based on that information. During String and Shadow’s visit, students will engage in a 3-day puppet build using as much reused material as possible to make their visions come to life. This project will be fine-tuned and completed throughout the rest of the course, and will come to life in the form of an in-town demonstration in May.
Other projects will include painting the Spirit Rock, creating informational zines about environmental issues, screenprinting apparel, drawing and sketching, and a variety of weekend field trips (including a trip to the Take It Or Leave It (free store) on Lopez!
COST: Thanks to generous support from the Madrona Institute, this program is free of charge to all participants!
CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE
Please note that this is a working schedule, so some times are TBD. If the location is Alchemy Art Center on a school day, students have the option of taking the school bus. Otherwise, students will need to have transport to and from the location (Alchemy can help coordinate transportation). We know that students may not be able to make every date, but please take note of the schedule and apply only if the majority of the program can be attended.
Friday, March 29th 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Introductory day with Maria and Glenn, create collaborative design for Rock Mural.Saturday, March 30th, Field Trip, PAINT THE ROCK!
10am to 1pm, drop-off and pick-up from the rock on Beaverton and Egg Lake Rd.
Students will work together to create a unique mural on the famous spirit rock of San Juan Island!
This field trip has been postponed to April 27th!
Friday April 5th, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Introduction to String and Shadow Theater, puppet brainstorm!Saturday April 6th, Field Trip to San Juan County Park
10am-1pm, drop-off and pick-up from parking lot of San Juan County Park
Local environmentalist and educator Kari Koski will lead students in a sense of place unit, and deep dive into environmental issues close to home
Friday April 12th, Field Trip to Lopez “Take It or Leave It”
Depart FH- 11:35, Arrive Lopez: 1:00, Depart Lopez 5:20, Arrive FH 5:50. Drop-off at 11:15 am, pick-up 6pm, at the steps of Salty Fox
Maria, Glenn, and a few volunteer parents take kids on a field trip to Lopez to gather supplies from the free store, and learn about reusing materials/reducing the waste stream! Featuring special guest Nikyta Palmisani in a “trash talk” at the Lopez Library.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 19-21st, Alchemy Art Center
Friday: 3:30-6PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10AM-1PM
String and Shadow comes to SJI for the weekend to start the puppet build! Students will use the materials they have gathered to create the bulk of their final projects during this puppet-building crash course! This is the most crucial part of the course, and students should try to attend all three days.Friday, April 26th, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Puppet finish-up day!Saturday, April 27th, 10am-1pm, Field Trip, PAINT THE ROCK!
10am to 1pm, drop-off and pick-up from the rock on Beaverton and Egg Lake Rd.
Students will work together to create a unique mural on the famous spirit rock of San Juan Island!
Puppet finish-up day!Friday, May 3rd, 3:30-6PM Alchemy Art Center
Alchemy staff introduce printmaking, and the historical importance it has had in sharing important ideas through words and images. Students will learn two types of printmaking (relief and screen printing) and begin designing a zine or t-shirt design to print and share with the community. and/or t-shirts.Saturday, May 4th, 10AM-1pm Alchemy Art Center (time TBD)
Day two of zines and printmaking- students will complete their projects!Friday, May 10th, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Preparation and planning for final demonstration! Strategies, movements, drums, chants. Featuring Spring Street School music teacher John Wheatley, leading songs and drums!Saturday, May 11th, FINAL DEMONSTRATION IN TOWN
Meet at courthouse lawn at 11am, march at 12pm, debrief and pizza at Spring Street campus at 1:30pm, pick up from SSIS campus at 2pm.
Students will take town with their demonstration!
Friday, May 17th, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Final circle: Reflections from session, and future goals for the group (including Independence Day Parade planning)
APPLICANT EXPECTATIONS
Be able to attend most dates
Have interest in art and environmental stewardship
Be willing to try new things and participate in a final art show
APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS
This program is geared towards students aged 13-15, but students outside of this age range will be considered as well.
Have experience or interest in drawing, painting, writing, sculpture, photography, or any creative expression
Desire to be outdoors and to learn more about stewardship of the natural environment
SCHEDULE FOR APPLICATION & ACCEPTANCE
DEADLINE EXTENDED! Applications are now due Friday, March 15th, with notification of acceptance on Monday, March 18th