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School Bulletin: Art student draws attention to climate change

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School Bulletin: Art student draws attention to climate change

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Cedarburg High School senior aims to make a statement through art, and she's combining two of her passions.

"I just always kind of been interested in protecting the environment," Miriam Janssen-Hayes says. "I want to show that through my art."

As an Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art student, Janssen-Hayes is creating an entire portfolio all about climate change.

"My theme is interactions between humans and the environment," Janssen-Hayes says. "One of the pieces I just did was of someone's hands eating... It's a fish on the plate, but there's pieces of plastic in it. It shows how we're polluting the oceans and fish are eating plastic."

The Cedarburg student says she's been painting since she was about 2-years-old, but she has developed more finesse and her own style.

"Just to watch her art take on more meaning has been really interesting and rewarding," Brooke Janssen, the girl's mother, says.

The teenager's artwork has been featured in several places, including a brochure from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. She took a pre-college course there over the summer, but she it's her high school teachers who have been the most encouraging.

"My art teachers in high school have just been really incredible. Always very supportive and pushing me to really do my best," Janssen-Hayes says.

She adds her classes have allowed her to dabble in different mediums, like ceramics, and even big scale pieces, like the stage sets for the theater department.

After graduation this spring, Janssen-Hayes says she will study art education at the University of Minnesota. She says she wants to be a teacher and mentor to other students.

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racine news; kenosha news; washington news; sheboygan news; waukesha news; ozaukee news; walworth news; milwaukee news;  milwaukee weather; sports; traffic; brewers;  bucks; packers; telemundo

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School Bulletin: Art student draws attention to climate change

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Cedarburg High School senior aims to make a statement through art, and she's combining two of her passions. "I just always kind of been interested in protecting the environment," Miriam Janssen-Hayes says. "I want to show that through my art."

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The Art Assignment | 2019

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Using Art to Target Climate Change I CBC Kids News

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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by Franke James

How do you make climate change art? And why should you?

These are the two questions I posed in my recent presentation to 150 high school students at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg, Ontario. It was an action-packed agenda with emeritus scientist Dr. Roy Koerner from Natural Resources Canada talking about the science behind climate change. Interestingly he said one of the biggest obstacles we face is changing people's attitudes - certainly an aspect that artists are well-equipped to address. Distinguished artist Linda Mackey, founder of Polar Artists Group (P.A.G.), showed her paintings and talked about her travels to the north and the many changes she has witnessed since 2002. (See McMichael backgrounder.)

I was invited to present my visual essay " A Green Winter: Will Global Warming Be Good for Canada? " with the idea that it would give the students an example of 'new media' climate change art.

Although I could have just structured my presentation as a "show and tell " about my own work, I tried to put myself in their shoes. And I thought, "These kids want to learn how to make their own climate change art - not just look at mine!" Using that as my guiding principle, I crafted a primer "Six Tools to Make Climate Change Art". It is meant as a springboard into the creative process of making art about climate change - and the methodology I use to create my visual essays.

It was the end of an intense day for the students. They had learned about the science of global warming from Dr. Koerner, and they had viewed Linda Mackey's striking photographs and paintings of the changing arctic. As the final speaker I knew I needed to jolt them to attention. So, I started off with my animated movie of "A Green Winter" which has upbeat, lively music composed by David Gray, of Big World Songs and Parachute Club fame. ( You can see the movie clip here.)

With the kids minds now twirling, I asked them this question: Can climate change art make a difference?

I drew their attention to a post by Stephen Leahy, Environmental Journalist who wrote about the role artists could play in inspiring change. "Knowledge does not often inspire action. Feelings like compassion and anger do. Good art generates passion." Stephen cites this quote, "The point is that the artists' view is invaluable precisely because they are not experts and do not have the authority granted by science. They are only as persuasive as their images. As non-experts, though interested and knowledgeable, they stand in for the view of the everyman..." Seed Magazine
To make an idea spread give it 'tangible form'
To me, Stephen's post and the Seed quote 'resonate'. Artists can make a difference in the world. Think of this: If any one of us stands up and tells a group an idea we have, it may spread - or it may disappear into the ether. A far more effective way to make an idea spread is to give it 'tangible form'. By creating climate change art our influence can stretch far beyond the boundaries of our personal circle. If others find our work to be moving they will share it with others, until our voice is amplified and our message reaches millions around the world. Unlike the scientist, we artists have the freedom to weave facts, opinions, thoughts, emotion and color all together. We can instill passion and motivate change. That is our palette.

I gave a few personal examples of how my artwork has been carried by others around the web, into newspapers, and books and (to my surprise and delight) is touching people. I quoted one comment from my blog as an example of how different art forms can reach different people at different times. We're not always in the mood to read books, no matter how wonderful and erudite they are!

"George Monbiot's HEAT and Tim Flannery's THE WEATHERMAKERS are sitting in my 'To Read' pile and I find myself reluctant to tackle what I know I must read. It was such a relief to see your essay and actually enjoy reading/seeing such a complex issue made close and personal." Rosalind Ross, January 19th, 2007
An army of artists spreading the word
How many more people could we influence if we had an army of artists spreading the word about climate change?

6 Tools to Make Climate Change Art

To give the students the tools to make climate change art, I wrote down the six tools I rely on. I have developed my own language - a flexible vocabulary. When you see my list of tools you will probably nod your head in recognition. These are all familiar tools that every artist has in their paintbox. We just have to be creative - and judicious - in choosing the right tool to communicate the idea, so that our artwork can be memorable AND inspire action. Below are the six tools, with a few example images for each point.

1. SYMBOLS: How to show climate change when you can't see it

Symbols are so powerful. I explained to the students how I was initially stumped as to how to tell the story of Steven Levitt calling me a visionary for worrying about global warming. "Excuse me - I'm a visionary for worrying about global warming??" I wanted to convey that sense of dumbfoundedness, and I think the bloodshot eyeball/globe does that. (The eyeball is from A Green Winter and the sewer grate from Letter to My Future Grandkids in 2020.)

2. METAPHORS MAKE THINGS STICK: Give old phrases new meaning

Metaphors are a great way to make things stick in your brain. It is far more dramatic to think of global warming as the 'elephant in the room', than any facts or figures. (The elephant was in A Green Winter and the green man was in My SUV and Me Say Goodbye. )
3. WITNESS: How do you help the viewer see what you see?
Witnessing is a great activity. But context makes all the difference. For example, the photos above do not look unusual unless the viewer knows that it was January, and there should have been a foot of snow! I suggested the students take their cameras out and witness for themselves the changes they are seeing. (Both the idle ski lifts and the snowmen were in A Green Winter.)

Students interested in the power of 'witnessing' should take a look at Canadian photographer Ed Burtynsky's work. You may recognize his riveting photo, "Nickel Tailings #34, Sudbury, Ontario 1996" which is featured on the cover of George Monbiot's book 'Heat'. Ed also has a film and book called Manufactured Landscapes, which document man's impact on the natural world.

4. CULTURE CHANGE: What will we lose?

Climate change is all about culture change. If polar bears become extinct will future generations quiz us as to why an image of a polar bear is on our two dollar coin? Will the marketing folks seem foolishly nostalgic if Canadians no longer play outdoor hockey. Of course that will never happen... right? (Both the twoonie and the discarded cup were in A Green Winter.)

5. HUMAN NATURE: Can you touch a nerve?

Human nature and our inherent selfishness is a favorite topic of mine in climate change art. These two images talk about the layoffs in January 2007 that resulted from the lack of snow - and the almost automatic reaction that many of us - including me - have, "I'm glad I didn't buy a full season ski pass!" That attitude of "I'm all right, Jack." is a thread that goes through much of society when climate change is discussed. Will Canada suffer the worst consequences of global warming? Unlikely. It will be the poorer countries below the equator that are the worst hit by droughts, floods and food shortages. (The grass footprints were in A Green Winter.)

6. ACTION: Do something green and record it

But my favorite 'tool' of all is number six: Action.

As artists, we can turn our lives into works of art. We can do something green - even small green actions will do - and then weave a story about that act. Wonderful art has been created - and is being created by many artists using this method.
Documenting the mad consumerism of the world
Artist Chris Jordan is diligently documenting the mad consumerism of the world. And making persuasive art at the same time.

"Chris Jordan is a photographer/artist with a strong social message. His work is concerned with the depiction and comprehension of statistics and showing what they really mean... For example, the seemingly familiar painting of Cans Seurat is in fact, the depiction of 106,000 aluminum cans, the number used in the United States every thirty seconds." Treehugger
The Art of 'Selling our SUV' and 'Planting our Driveway'
In my case, I'm making art and stories about green actions we're taking. We sold our car in February 2007, and I documented it in My SUV and Me Say Goodbye. And I also documented my family's reaction to us selling our only car - which was hilarious and great fodder for my story. This past summer we built our green driveway which was again, great grist for the mill.

Call to Action:
Do something Green and document it! Make a story. Draw pictures. Take photos. Tell the world what you've done and why.
Very persuasive climate change art can be created by doing something green - and then documenting it in words and pictures. I suggested the students do something green and then interview their family and friends for reactions. As artists we can hold up a mirror that reflects back society's values - even if that sometimes makes people uncomfortable. Certainly my dear brother-in-law regretted calling me a Granola-crunching-tree-hugging-whack-job, if only because I documented it for all time! What fun! Now doesn't this make YOU want to take action and create your own climate change art?

6 Tools to Make Climate Change Art

1. SYMBOLS: How to show climate change when you can't see it
2. METAPHORS MAKE THINGS STICK:Give old phrases new meaning
3. WITNESS: How do you help the viewer see what you see?
4. CULTURE CHANGE: What will we lose?
5. HUMAN NATURE: Can you touch a nerve?
6. ACTION: Do something green and record it
The Big Question: Did the students get my 'Six Tools to Make Climate Change Art' message?
We'll have to wait and see. I was very pleased that after my presentation, two students from the Emily Carr School came up and thanked me, saying that my presentation was "Inspiring". And the next day, Christa Gampp, a talented artist and Visual Arts Resource Teacher, sent me this email, "Your presentation must have lit quite a few "green" lights in the minds of our young audience! I am positive that the students went away with that "spark" to start on their own creative project. Today's youth can very readily relate to your imagery and messages due to your use of media. Your artwork is very creative and relevant to our times. I loved your mentoring message to the students: to choose a topic that is related to their own surroundings and interests. I am looking forward to seeing the student art exhibition at the McMichael next year and I am sure I'll be able to spot your positive "influence" in the artworks! Thanks again!"

I hope Christa is right and that I did switch on a few green lights. I did leave them with this one thought and the encouragement that - as Gandhi said -they need to be the change they want to see in the world.

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Quick backgrounder:
The McMichael Gallery holds a special place in Canadian art history as it boasts one of the largest Group of Seven collections in the world. You can read about its founders, Robert and Signe McMichael. The event was organized by Scott McDonald, Director Education and Programmes and Rosa Calabrese, Educator at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection to inspire the students to make art about climate change. The student's work will be featured in a juried exhibition in 2008.

Six Tools to Make Climate Change Art copyright 2007 Franke James;
Concept, photography, illustration and writing by Franke James, MFA

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by Franke James How do you make climate change art? And why should you? These are the two questions I posed in my recent presentation to 150 high school students at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg, Ontario. It was an action-packed agenda with emeritus scientist Dr. Roy Koerner from Natural Resources Canada talking about the science behind climate change.

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Land Art: Land Art is one of the oldest art forms. It is simply, creating something beautiful out of natural materials. This is an art form that can be done anywhere on earth, because any material can be used to make art. A pile of sticks can become a bird, or a sandy beach can become a sun. The possibilities are endless. more ideas

Aerial Art: One of the signatures of the 350 movement has been the incredible creativity shown through the creation of Aerial Art. This is a great art form because its very medium shows how many people are involved. Aerial art can be done in many different ways, small or as big as you can imagine. Think about using different colors in the image, or using other materials to create part of the image. You can even make your aerial art animated! more ideas

350 Concerts: Raise the volume, lower the CO2. Music moves people, physically and emotionally, and has been a crucial part of many social movements. Invite a few local groups to play a Zero Carbon Concert. Invite speakers working on local environmental issues to talk in between songs or invite theater groups. click here to see what songs have already been made about 350

350 Mural: There are walls all over the world, separating things. By painting the wall you can make it the wall tool to bring people together, to educate and inspire them, and to make spaces more colorful and enjoyable. This is a great project that everyone can get involved in, and can communicate to people for years to come. more ideas

350 Flash Mob: Organize a "flash mob" - where crowds of coordinated people suddenly assemble in public spaces. There are endless variations, from freezing in place for 350 seconds to wearing snorkels and swimming trunks to talk about sea level rise. This is a project it is bound to surprise. more ideas

Street Art: Street art supporting 350 has started showing up all over the world. From Belarus to Switzerland to the United States, people have been sending us images of walls where they have seen painted 350s. Street art is a modern way to bring the 350 message into public eye and the public conscience. more ideas
Note: Street art is illegal in some places. For more ideas and a different take on how climate art can play a part, check out this great piece by Franke James.
Traditional Art: Embrace local traditions to create a piece of art that reflects local traditions. Use traditional local materials, symbols, or artistic techniques and show the world what local solutions your community has. There are thousands of years of knowledge of how to live sustainably on this planet, lets hold onto and share those traditions as we move ahead. more ideas

350 Film Festival: There are so many wonderful and creative films online about climate change. Organize a mini film festival, and invite people to come watch. You can show numerous short movies from Youtube, or show a full length film. There may even be films made about the specific local issues of your region. Leave time for discussion at the end of the movie, so you can talk about how to turn your feelings into actions.

Street Theater: Create a Street Theater performance that educates people about climate change, and what they can do to help stop it. Get creative! Street Theater is a great way to entice a general audience into listening to what you want to say. Street art engages anyone who happens to walk by - which is great - we need everyone to combat the climate crisis. more ideas

Get Crafty: Crafts are a great way to show your support for 350 while simultaneously taking action. Everything we can make for ourselves is one step closer towards sustainability and local production. Use your talents, whatever they might be, to create a solution that will get us down to 350. Click here to see the beautiful results from the 350 Craftster Contest.

Bike Parade: Bicycles are one of the most joyous and simple solutions to get us down to 350. Organizing a bike parade is simple. Set a place and time, and ask people to come with their bicycles. Ask people to come in costume or to make flags or license plates for their bikes - and you'll be sure to get noticed. more ideas

Food!: Cooking is an art, perhaps the most important one of all, and is one of the key solutions to sustainable living. Sitting together around a table is also one of the best ways to get to know new people. Have a pot-latch dinner with local food, or contact a local food co-op and organize a feast. Get creative: how can you incorporate the message of 350 into your favorite dish?

Still don't have your idea yet? Here are some more projects to help communicate what 350 really means.

Bench Project: Modern Dance for 350: "Movements need movement!" as Bill McKibben says. Create a performance of this moving dance piece created by choreographer Jennifer Muller to help people understand what climate change means on a emotional level. This project can be done by anyone, even if you aren't the worlds best dancer....

350 Trees: Trees can be a powerful tool for talking to people about CO2, and what it means for our planet. Look at the creative trees some people have made for 350 - from trees made from garbage to tree-quilts and collages. more ideas

350 Piece Sculpture: Create a sculpture using 350 different pieces. This can be made from 350 different objects, or 350 of the same object. Perhaps you could use 350 local beans to form a picture of a farm or the sun, or 350 pieces of garbage you've collected. The object you use could also be part of a climate solution. You could use and give away 350 clothes pins to show people why air-drying clothes is a simple climate solution.

350 Comics: Humor can be a vital tool in talking about something as serious as climate change. Draw a 350 cartoon or comic and send it to your local or school paper. Don't forget to send us a copy too! Click here to see great cartoons that people have already made for 350.

350 Projections: Borrow a projector and project an image of 350 or another drawing onto a local climate solution or local environmental problem. This can be done with a simple overhead projector and these stencils. The image you see here is project onto the side of a glacier in the Arctic circle.

Singing Tree: California artist Laurie Marshall provides simple instructions on how to create a beautiful "Singing Tree Mural". This is a great project for classrooms or for large groups.

Creative Writing: Language is one of the most powerful tools we have as communicators. Writing can help us to imagine both the good and bad outcomes of the climate change. Write something on your own and send it in, or gather a group of local writers and organize a reading.

Giant Numbers: Create Giant Numbers to grab people's attention. The best way of getting people interested is to make them curious. Standing in a public place with these giant numbers guarantees that people will walk up to you and ask "What is 350?"

Garbage Parade: Organize a parade that celebrates reusing and recycling by making instruments and costumes out of "trash". Use this event to campaign for local recycling bins or to urge local stores to use less packaging.

Window Diorama: Turn your bedroom window into a work of art, or ask a local shop if you can take over their window for a week. Create a 350 window display that can be seen by the public, that creatively communicates the need for action on climate change. Perhaps make a collage or a sculpture out of "trash".

350 Life Raft: Use recycled materials to create a "life raft" to raise awareness about the threat of rising sea levels. Perhaps organize a voyage on your new boat and invite the press.

Chalk Drawings: Use chalk to create a street-mural that highlights a local issue about climate change. Chalk is a great (and washable) way to put art into public spaces.

Story Telling: Story telling is one of the oldest art forms there is. Many of the stories we know today have been passed down for hundreds of generations. Work with a local group to create new stories, or to adapt traditional myths from your region to reflect the current climate crisis. Invite community elders to speak about the sustainable practices they grew up with.

350 Mosaic: Use broken tiles to create a 350 mosaic. This project can create a durable art piece for a local park or playground. Maybe make your mosaic using 350 different pieces?

350 Quilt: Use old pieces of fabric to create a 350 quilt. Working on a project like this is a great way to bring people together and get them chatting. Perhaps people could each bring their own square for the quilt, or maybe use 350 different pieces of fabric?

350 Art Exhibit: Organize local artists to create works of art and host a local Climate Art Exhibit in a local cafe or cultural center. Perhaps focus on how the landscape might change in the coming years, or what is worth protecting from climate change. You can also mix in art from the 350 global network, to make the exhibition a truly local/global collaboration.

Seed Bombs: These bombs are actually good for the world. They are, essentially, balls of dirt with seeds mixed in them. As you throw them around, you can be planting vegetables and wild herbs. Click here for a link to the Guerrilla Gardening Page with step-by-step instructions.

Guide to Icelandic Butterflies: Iceland currently has no butterflies. Artist Louisa Conrad asks you to imagine what types of butterflies Iceland might have in the future, if it continues warming. Design your own species of butterfly and send it in to the "People's Guide to Icelandic Butterflies". Click here for more details on the project.

Animation: You can create a simple stop-motion movie using any digital camera. Make a clay-mation video using a piece of clay, or use paper cutouts to create a movie that communicates how you feel about climate change. Click here for a sample video from 350 Barcelona.

Collage: Gather old news papers and magazines and cut them up to create a 350 collage. Perhaps this could depict a 350 planet, or could show what is keeping us back from reaching our target.

Create your own project: Most of the ideas you've just read about were conceived of by the incredible 350 global network, just like you. Make your own project and send us pictures! We can't wait to see it.

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Land Art: Land Art is one of the oldest art forms. It is simply, creating something beautiful out of natural materials. This is an art form that can be done anywhere on earth, because any material can be used to make art. A pile of sticks can become a bird, or a sandy beach can become a sun.

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We're looking for examples of high school climate artwork! Submit your work here👇🏾

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