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Art in Nature at Calleva
Art in Nature is a program at Calleva Outdoors which Taylor Knight developed. It focuses on developing creativity, building confidence, and exploring art in nature. This happens by facilitating experiences that interweave with high art theory usually taught at the undergrad and graduate levels. Only, here, they are conveyed to the individual in a far more accessible way.
The outline of the program starts with the campers making sketchbooks from recycled materials in the shallows of a river under a bridge. This unusual and normally overlooked space becomes full of an adventurous and creative spirit as the campers joyfully construct their own book! This experience gets the campers to familiarize themselves their own power to transform their surroundings through optimism and creativity.
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Sketchbook Making
Large-scale Abstract Painting
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The next day, campers collaborate with the trees to create large-scale abstract paintings on muslin, tracing their shadows then adding their own unique twist. These are then used to transform the space inside the bus. This provides a curcumstance for them to actually see and feel how their creations positively impact environments as well as to see their own abilities for fun-making.
These same paintings are then hung securely in a special way transforming them into yoga hammocks. In this experience, campers become familiar with "self-reflexivity" —a literary and sociological term that is being applied by contemporary artists today. Self-reflexivity enhances the creative process tremendously by growing self-awareness in the act of creation.
Yoga Hammocks
This particular self-reflexive loop is shown to the campers as they engage in the very act of creating. They hang comfortably in their paintings which are were made in collaboration with the trees. Their paintings, in turn, are actually hanging from the trees themselves as they rest in the very shadows of the leaves that helped them design the paintings they are sitting in. This conceptual loop facilitates an "ah-ha" moment that sparks an immeadiate advnace in creative awareness. Because all these creations have their own hand in it they feel an ownership of the event which engenders self-confidence.
The outdoors is further transformed into a studio during panel painting. Traditional notions of what a studio is and can be are broadened into the peaceful woods. Campers often feel liberated in their creation due to the comfort of nature and not having to worry about "making a mess" indoors.
Panel Painting
The panels and muslin paintings are combined to complete the construction of a floating craft which also becomes a portable art studio. So, in essence, they literally are surrounded by their art as they make art floating down the Potomac River to their Thursday night campsite.
The Flotilla
Drawing
Chainsaw Carver
Painting
Stone Carver
Outdoor Instructor
Current Projects
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