Chief Maquinna Elementary School
As an artist deeply invested in environmental consciousness, I was honored to be commissioned by Chief Maquinna Elementary for a project that would intertwine art with the vital subject of climate change. This initiative engaged fifty-two spirited students in an interactive journey, aligning their art-making with the school’s science curriculum. My goal was to kindle a creative spark, encouraging these young minds to envision their roles in forging a sustainable future and to take meaningful, hopeful action.
In a series of dynamic sessions, I shared knowledge and inspiration, setting the stage for each student to craft a personal environmental pledge—commitments that resonated with their values and aspirations. These pledges, once mere sketches, were transformed into digital files and woven into a grand mosaic. This design, enriched with satellite views of Vancouver and its coastal beauty, symbolized the local impact of their collective promises.
The artwork, a collage of fifty-two individual pledges, invited further interaction, allowing students to engage with the piece on a deeper level. Printed on 1.5-inch thick, eco-friendly wood, the final dimensions stood at an impressive 6 feet high by 4 feet wide. Adding a layer of depth, a 20-inch circular wooden print featured the students themselves, captured during the ‘2019 Vancouver Climate Strike’—a momentous rally that we were fortunate to witness.
This collaborative artwork now adorns the school’s entrance, a lasting tribute to the students’ commitment to environmental stewardship.
To compensate for the ecological impacts of creating the artwork I purchased 35 tonnes of carbon offsets through the United Nations Carbon Offsets Platform.
This project was supported by grant funding from the ‘Betty Wellburn Artistic Legacies’ (a Vancouver School Board Fund).
