Teens learn art from nature
Instructor: ‘We're trying to open their eyes to the beauty of the wetlands'
Ten Northern California high school students found art in the wilds this week at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, south of Willows.
The teens spent part of their holiday vacation from school learning about wildlife art and conservation at the fifth annual Flyway Journeys Wildlife Art Camp, sponsored by California Waterfowl, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Pacific Flyway Decoy Association.
The three-day, two-night camp was hosted by CW life benefactors Allen and Donna Thomas, who provided lodging, food and activities at Sunrise Farms Duck Club in Lambertville.
“Most of these students live in large cities,” said Jennifer Tolman, coastal region education coordinator for CW. “We’re trying to open their eyes to the beauty of the wetlands so they can do their part to preserve these wonderful places.”
Students, who were chosen for the camp from their submitted essays, spent three days at the refuge photographing, drawing and carving wildlife.
The experience was especially meaningful to Cupertino students Netta Assaf, 17, and Laura Plouse, 16.
“I’m really interested in photography and science,” Plouse said. “I know that whatever I do, it’s going to involve both. This has been a great way to see how both may apply.”
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” Assaf said. “But I know whatever I do, it will involve art. If I decide to write a book, then I will draw the cover.”
The picturesque refuge provided all the inspiration needed for reflection and art.
In one session, Quincy High School art teacher Mike Nesbit sent the students to the marshes to draw something from nature.
“This is a chance for students to really look at things they haven’t seen before and to make a personal discovery,” Nesbit said, as he looked over the shoulder of one of his students. “Sometimes, education is like throwing mud on the wall - a lot falls on, but very little sticks. You need people to care passionately, so this is a beginning.”
In another session, FDA artists taught the students the art of carving birds.
“Decoy carving, like jazz, is an art form that originated in America,” Bucio said. “But it is a dying art.”
Bucio said the primary goal of the association and its participation in the camp is education.
“Only by teaching it can we hope to pass it on,” Bucio said. “Hopefully, this lights a spark in somebody.”
The carving association is a primary sponsor for the art camp, said Shane Romain, northern region education coordinator for CW. Its sponsorship helps CW provide each student with an artist’s kit filled with sketchpads, watercolors, colored pencils and other art supplies.
Romain said the camp costs about $5,000 to $6,000 to stage each year, allowing each student to attend free of charge.
“We have a great partnership with all the agencies that help us with the camp,” Romain said. “We couldn’t do this without them.”
Instruction wasn’t limited to the refuge. At Sunrise Farms, students learned how hunting is important to wildlife conservation.
“We also learned how to pluck a duck and how to make duck calls,” said 17-year-old Lidieth Arevalo of San Jose. “This has been a great experience.”
Students at camp also learned about and were encouraged to participate in the Junior Duck Stamp competition.
The Duck Stamp program is a primary source of income for the protection of wetlands in the United States, Romain said.
