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Article
Stewardship in Art
Let's Think
NPS Photo / Noatak National Preserve
Saving these Scenic Views
Some may not know the impact art had on the National Park Service. The works from landscape painters like Thomas Moran and others helped inspire a movement and motivate national leaders to protect and preserve these vast, delicate, and beautiful places for all Americans.Art is one way park visitors can connect and help conserve our natural world. After seeing a close-up photo of a brown bear cub, a sculpture inspired by the colors of coral reefs, or a painting of a snowy historic lockhouse in the winter – art can evoke emotions, memories, or even inspire action.
In this activity, we will discover how art can motivate stewardship, flex our creative muscles, and get outdoors to find a new scenic view that inspires you. No drawing skills necessary!
Imagine
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Your Favorite Outdoor Places
- Artists in the past and still today use their skills – painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, poetry, music – to not only capture a moment in time but to inspire appreciation across the National Park Service.
- Close your eyes. Think about some of your favorite spaces outdoors. Is it the lake near your house? Or the gardens near your school? It can even be the spot under the tree in your backyard.
- What makes this place special to you? Does it remind you of a fun memory? Are there animals or plants that makes this space unique? What do you feel when you visit your favorite outdoor space? What do you see?
- Imagine if you needed to inspire a community or convince a local goverment leader to preserve this special place for generations to come...
Creative Challenge
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- Let's pretend! You are the newest Artist-in-Residence at the C&O Canal and are charged with the task of creating a new art piece to inspire a new appreciation for the historic canal.
- Find some inspiration in the park. There's tons of places to choose from! You can explore any of 75 locks or 184 mileposts throughout the C&O Canal.
- Choose your artistic medium. Do you like photography? Or is your thing watercolor painting? Maybe oil on cavas? Make sure to bring materials that you can easily pack in and pack out with you!
- Share your works! Proud of your work? We are too. The C&O Canal loves to see art inspired by scenic views throughout the park. If you would like to share your masterpiece connect with us on our social media accounts. Use the hashtag #CanalKidsVJR and join the #VirtualJuniorRanger (VJR) conversation!
Outdoor Fun
| Get ready for some outdoor fun! There are a plethora of ways to combine your interests of art and the outdoors at the C&O Canal. Complete 1 (or more!) outdoor adventures and discover the connections between art in stewardship. Connect with us on our social media accounts using the hashtag #CanalKidsVJR to share how you explore art in stewardship. Begin by clicking one of the activity titles, then follow the links for specific directions. |
Do you enjoy art but aren't exactly an artist? This activity that doesn't require drawing skills, just your imagination and drawing supplies. Do this activity anywhere on the towpath or in your own backyard! Combine relaxation, focused creativity, and a beautiful scenic view with the Mindfulness Drawing Activity. Click here for details and instructions
Explore the beautiful public art on display in the Georgetown, Washington DC, neighborhood of the C&O Canal with this self-guided walking tour! Washington DC is well-known for the building murals, art scene, and towering architecture. Find the art installation using the address. Learn about each piece, its meaning, and start a conversation about what it means to you. Click here for details and instructions
Hey shutterbugs, share your photography! The C&O Canal Trust hosts a monthly Facebook photo contest encouraging visitors to submit their photography inspired by the Canal. Entries will be posted on the Canal Trust Facebook page each month for voting. The picture that receives the most “Likes” during that month will be featured on their Facebook cover photo and will appear in the monthly email newsletter, and print newsletter. Click here for details and instructions
Learn More
| Can't get enough art in stewardship? We are happy to spark your curiosity! Luckily we have just the resources for you. Checkout the following links to deeper explore how the National Park Service and Department of Interior engage with art and stewardship. |
This exhibit showcases paintings, watercolors, sketches, and other works on paper from over 50 National Park Service museum collections. These works of art are seen together here for the first time to illustrate and tell the story of the Service’s first 100 years. Explore the different collections to view amazing artwork from parks across the NPS! Click here to get started
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is steward to a large museum collection that helps preserve the history of the BIA, Bureau of Indian Education, and Native American culture. This collection includes nearly 8 million archeological artifacts from Indian and Federal lands, ethnographic objects, historic items, archives, and artwork. Discover history and view the nearly 200 objects and 13 virtual exhibitions viewable online! Click here to get started
The National Capital Area (NCA) of the National Park Service includes a rich cultural and natural history. Many sites include a diverse array of forests, mountains, and estuaries which support high levels of biodiversity in a narrow geographic range. Parks are located in the Valley and Ridge region and extend east to the Fall Line, which demarcates the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Discover the rich and beautiful natural history the NCA from the comfort of your home! Click here to get started
Last updated: April 22, 2021