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Two Richmond classes learned about nature journalling and bees through workshops with a local artist.

Photo by Hannah Scott

Two Richmond classes learned about nature journalling and bees through workshops with a local artist.

Photo by Hannah Scott

Students buzzing with creativity

By Hannah Scott

Published 2:28 PDT, Fri October 21, 2022

Last Updated: 5:06 PDT, Fri October 21, 2022

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Students at two Richmond elementary schools got a firsthand lesson in nature journalling thanks to workshops with artist Bea Martin.

The workshops, a collaboration between Richmond Arts Coalition and Richmond School District, were part of Culture Days with final pieces displayed earlier this month at Branscombe House.

Martin has been teaching nature journalling for about a year, via the “Budding Artists” program that she developed at the Richmond Nature Park. Those workshops attracted the attention of the Richmond Arts Coalition, and executive director Andrew Wade and director Sarah Glen approached Martin to introduce Richmond elementary students to nature journalling and drawing.

“During lockdown I found a book at the library, The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, by John Muir Laws,” says Martin. “I had been doing that, but I didn’t know it was called nature journalling. I wrote to (Laws), he immediately wrote back, we set up a Zoom meeting, and I found out there’s a whole community of nature journallers. During the pandemic the online community has grown massively and people find out that there’s so much to see, even from your balcony, about nature.”

In recent workshops, Grade 3 and 4 students at Homma elementary learned to draw bees while learning facts about them and their importance in the ecosystem. A Grade 5 and 6 class at Grauer also participated in the project.

“All the kids were so involved, because it was a very different class from the ones that they’re used to,” says Martin. “We are giving them tools to explore—we’re not telling them to follow any specific rules. The response has been phenomenal.”

Kids were especially intrigued by the water-soluble coloured pencils, Martin adds. Introducing them to inexpensive art tools that work and inspire has been a success. When the young students ask if they are allowed to do something, Martin always says yes.

“I’m genuinely curious and excited about what I am discovering with them, so I think that makes it even more engaging,” she says.

While the students’ art was displayed during Culture Days celebrations in Richmond, Martin says the ultimate goal was to build skills that help students connect with the outdoors on an ongoing basis.

“The end result is to build transferrable skills, so all these things that they’re learning they’re going to be able to apply no matter what classes they have. It’s not just art—it’s critical thinking, mindfulness, thinking skills, scientific skills,” says Martin.

She also appreciates kids for their open minds and willingness to try anything without questioning themselves. They also don’t question the partnership of drawing and science, and Martin credits today’s multidisciplinary world for that mindset.

“Nature journalling is for everyone, regardless of age and skill level,” says Martin. “(But) this age group in particular is that age where everything is exciting, and where everything is possible. When teaching adults, one of my goals is to help them reconnect with their inner child, the ever-curious, ever-wondering, excited, and non-judgmental child we all are.”

The skills learned through nature journalling—noticing, observing, making lists—are all ones that will help later in life, Martin adds. Caring about nature and learning that things are interconnected will also help create compassionate and respectful adults.

“This is like planting seeds of curiosity. Kids are already curious, we just have to let those seeds grow and nurture them and feed them,” says Martin.