“To reach new people about all the benefits state parks offer, this partnership has us working with students in schools in underserved communities,” Dunn said. “If we increase their familiarity with our parks by having their art displayed for a time and through organized field days for them to explore and enjoy, we hope they will feel more welcome and connected to our parks and public lands.”
Dunn noted that in addition to working with the artists at their schools, the students are receiving environmental education programs at the parks providing a cultural and natural history overview. Each park also for a limited time is hosting the installation or performance of the artwork.
The program is occurring at the following locations:
-- Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center in Northampton County worked with ArtsQuest and the Donegan Elementary School to bring in textile artist Mallory Zondag who led students through the creation of a fiber living wall;
-- Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County worked with Galaxy/Intermediate Unit 10 and the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School to partner with artist Lynn Anne Verbeck who facilitated the creation of student-designed murals and sculptures;
-- Presque Isle State Park in Erie County partnered with Erie Arts & Culture and folk artist Gyan Ghising who lead the students at Edison Elementary School through a storytelling and folklore residency.
A fourth program is being planned at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center in Cumberland County for the 2022-23 school year.
“We are excited to utilize our Arts in Education and Folk and Traditional Arts partnerships to help create opportunities for students to engage in a variety of creative artforms while experiencing our commonwealth’s parks,” said Karl Blischke, PCA Executive Director. “This partnership with DCNR helps further PCA’s commitment to building stronger communities, supporting lifelong learning through the arts, and promoting equitable access for all Pennsylvanians to participate fully in a creative life.”
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is a state agency under the Office of the Governor. Governed by a council of 15 citizen members appointed by the governor, and four legislative members, the mission of the PCA is to strengthen the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of Pennsylvania’s communities through the arts.
By leveraging the immense potential of Pennsylvania’s arts and cultural sector, the PCA supports jobs, builds community, motivates learning, promotes the commonwealth nationally and internationally, and sparks innovation.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
(Photo: Work by textile artist Mallory Zondag.)
Related Articles:
-- DCNR Blog: June Is Rivers Month - Dip Your Toes In The Water
-- Keep PA Beautiful Launches Waterway Steward Program To Protect Water Trails July 1
-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Summer Newsletter Now Available
-- Post-Gazette: Natural Benefits: Why A Walk In The Park Is Good For You
-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna State Park, 18 Other State Parks Participating In Bioblitz
-- Williamsport Sun: DCNR Environmental Educator’s Service Earns Award
-- Warren Times: Students Receive ‘Watershed Ed’ At Chapman State Park
[Take Action Now!
[-- Tell Your Legislator NOW To Set Aside $500 Million From Federal American Rescue Funds To Support Local Environmental, State Park & Forest Projects]
[Posted: June 5, 2022] PA Environment Digest
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