“Naturescapes,” A Fusion of Nature, Art, and Youth Expression by Teaneck Middle Schoolers
On Exhibit at Puffin Cultural Forum
Works by Benjamin Franklin Middle Schoolers Drawn from Exploring Teaneck Creek Park
TEANECK, NJ – In a harmonious blend of nature and artistic expression, Benjamin Franklin Middle School's (BFMS) sixth and seventh grade students have created art for an extraordinary exhibit titled “Naturescapes”.The collection of artistry and poetry will be available for public viewing on December 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck, NJ. ( Visitors are required to wear N-95 or equivalent masks.)
With funding from Veolia and from the Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs (a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts), Teaneck Creek Conservancy collaborated with Young Audiences New Jersey and Pennsylvania to engage two New Jersey-based arts education groups – STEAM URBAN and Maroon Theatre Project – to work with BFMS students. The exhibit is the culmination of a months-long interdisciplinary project designed to elicit students’ creative expression through art and poetry from an immersive exploration of nature at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy.
Prior to embarking on their visit to Teaneck Creek Park, students were selected for visual arts and poetry tracks. Guided by artists Andrece Brady and Tasha Grant, they delved into the ecology and water resources of the local watershed. Students who joined the visual arts group captured the essence of nature through iPhone photography and collected nature materials, later using these elements to create mixed media collages. The creation of 'sun prints' on cyanotype paper became a focal point, adding a unique touch to their expressive pieces displayed on wood panels.
“It's inspiring to see the youth engage with nature as a means to creativity," said Andrece Brady, the curator of the exhibit, “Gaining a greater appreciation for nature enables students to understand the power of preserving nature for generations to come.”
The students in the poetry group pursued a reflective process and were encouraged to journal their sensory experiences in the park. “This thoughtful exploration of nature paved the way for the creation of individual and group poems that vividly express the students' connection to Teaneck Creek’s various habitats,” said Tasha Grant of Maroon Theatre Project.
Themes of water conservation, natural beauty, and environmental preservation permeate both the visual art and poetry, offering a profound reflection of the students' experiences and observations during their time in the park. This fusion of artistic expression and environmental awareness is a testament to the students' creativity and amplifies their voices as advocates for nature.
“The opportunity to have their creativity on exhibit in a professional gallery is an immense accomplishment for our students,” said BFMS principal Terrence Williams, who is a Teaneck Creek Conservancy Board member. “The merger of the arts and awareness of the natural world is an unparalleled life-changing moment in this formative period of their lives.”
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Teaneck Creek Conservancy is a member-supported non-profit organization dedicated to the reclamation and protection of the cultural, historical, and environmental legacy of the Teaneck Creek watershed. Since 2001 we have been working hard to transform a once-neglected dumpsite into a place of natural beauty. Visit our park complete with almost two miles of groomed trails, an Outdoor Classroom for learning, and beautiful artwork such as our Five Pipes Mural and a Peace Labyrinth for quiet reflection. Teaneck Creek Conservancy acts as stewards for this unique space, providing educational opportunities and passive recreational amenities to the surrounding community. www.teaneckcreek.org
MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Landau
connect@teaneckcreek.org
