Youth art in the park

Youth participants showing their artwork.

NPS

Summer 2023 welcomed the continuation of the National Park Service art in the park program with youth from Groundwork Connecticut. Staff from Weir Farm National Historical Park and Coltsville National Historical Park worked together to offer opportunities for youth to engage in stewardship projects at both sites while also creating original artwork. Coltsville Community Volunteer Ambassador led the team with interns from both Weir Farm and Coltsville.

The youth helped restore the Weir Pond trail and with the assitance of the Colt Park Foundation they painted games on the asphalt at Colt Park. The colorful games including hopscotch, copy cat and four square now grace the asphalt at Colt Park creating smiles for the local children who play in the park.

Once again Master Impressionist Dmitri Wright worked with the youth to create original artwork in each park. He presented impressionist plein air painting workshops with a focus on the juxtaposition of urban and rural landscapes. The youth experienced first-hand how national parks have inspired artists and visitors for over a century, and were, themselves, inspired to be part of the story.

View the 2023 artwork here.

The 2022 artwork is on display through a virtual exhibit hosted on the Weir Farm National Historical Park website.