CRAFT Bend is a local nonprofit that teaches kids the importance of art in everyday life. Recently, through a grant from the Environmental Center of Central Oregon and materials donated by Habitat ReStore, CRAFT Bend was able to bring art to life for Juniper Elementary fourth and fifth graders through a series of collaborative art projects. An art exhibit of the students' work and a video about the project will be featured at the Environmental Center on Saturday, April 23, as part of the Earth Day festivities.
"We're passionate about creative reuse and wanted a fun way to teach kids about the environment and community engagement at the same time," says CRAFT Bend founder Rowena Meyer-Bandy.
The Bringing Art to Life Project includes classroom instruction about environmental sustainability and the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.
The students created art postcards, trading cards and wood collages, all using reclaimed art materials to highlight the theme of kindness. These original pieces of artwork will be distributed as acts of kindness in the community. The postcards will be delivered to hospital patients and nursing home residents. The trading cards will be circulated among the students at school and the wood collages will be used as public art installations.
"These students are extremely excited to be sharing their art with the community so we want to invite everyone to come out and support the amazing work they've done," says Meyer-Bandy. "It's been a wonderful experience working with Juniper Elementary. We look forward to taking this project into more Central Oregon schools in the future," she added.
CRAFT Bend provides events, classes, and workshops for all ages and affordable access to creative reuse art materials.
"Bringing Art to Life" Exhibit
The Environmental Center of Central Oregon
16 NW Kansas Ave., Bend
Saturday, April 23
