The HSBC Save Our Planet program helps children develop critical thinking skills and an awareness of environmental issues. Each year, children from elementary schools in the Metro-Vancouver region visit Arts Umbrella to participate in theatre and visual arts workshops. Students respond to an environmental topic through a lesson in printmaking, painting and drawing or drama.

For more information please contact Nicky Ward at 604.681.5268 x262

Download our preparation checklist, and make sure you are prepared!

REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE: Access the link here.

Registration will open at 8am, Friday, September 5th, 2008, and is first come first served.

Have you already participated? Give us your feedback!

Resources and Materials

Arts Umbrella has chosen the continue theme of “The Elements: Earth, Air, Water and Fire” for the HSBC Save Our Planet Program in 2008/09 because their significance to understanding planet Earth and our place in it cannot be understated. The workshops provide an elegant and simple way for students to explore nature’s wonders and the formidable challenges they face, especially with respect to climate change.

We hope our program will help students to recognize the vulnerability of the elements that make up our world and the urgent need for a society of responsibility and care. The HSBC Save Our Planet Program will introduce your students to the beauty of the natural world through creative arts expression. By empowering your students, Arts Umbrella hopes to inspire them to make a difference, one step at a time!

Earth

Printmaking with Marta Robertson-Smythe

Marta is an Arts Umbrella Printmaking instructor for this program and the Rio Tinto Alcan Outreach Program. She has a BFA (Hons.) Painting, from Mt. Allison University and is the owner of Rare Threads. She is a painter and sculptor and has exhibited in group shows from 1970-2008.

Workshop overview and resources: "If Trees Could Talk"

Classroom activity: "How am I like a Tree?"

Air

Painting & Drawing with Tara Carmichael

Tara is an instructor with the Alcan Van Go Program and a Painting and Drawing Instructor at Arts Umbrella. She has a BFA and Teacher Certification K-12 from the University of Iowa. She is an artist who creates inspired by the kids she teaches and the stories of her life.

Workshop overview and resources: "Brilliant Birds of BC"

Classroom activity: "Birds Come and Go"

Water

Drama with Roselle Healy

Roselle is a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting located in Dublin, Ireland.  She is an actress and certified yoga instructor.  Roselle has worked professionally with the Vancouver Opera, the National Film Board of Canada, the CBC, along with several European companies.  This year Roselle starred as Jane Eyre in United Players production of Jane Eyre.  She adores working with kids and uses her art to inspire children and help them discover their creative voices.

Workshop overview and resources: "Waves and Wonder"

Classroom Activity: "Water Makes the Earth Blue"

Fire

Classroom Activity: "Campfire Stories"

Classroom Activity: "Sounds of Earth, Air, Water, Fire" (suitable to follow all workshops)

Resources and additional classroom activities researched and prepared by:

Aileen Pugliese Castro

Aileen is an Arts Umbrella visual arts instructor and a sessional instructor at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. She has over 13 years of experience teaching young artists in the public schools. She has a BFA (Illustration) and a MAT (Art Education) from Maryland Institute College of Art. She is also a landscape painter who has exhibited both locally and internationally.