Last Sunday, March 13, concluded the second of two free public Wildlife Paper Mâché workshops for citizens of Grey Bruce. At least 65 people of all ages participated in this creative and exuberant process, meeting in person to create an animal that inspired them and that they want to represent in the upcoming Earth Day Parade on April 23.
The workshops were led by Hester Koopman, a local artist with 20 years of child and youth art and craft programming experience who works with Footholds, a local organization that engages youth through outdoor education, traditional teachings, mental health awareness, and expressive art activities. The event drew out amateur and established talent, with local creative folks coming out to support including Ron Schweitzer, instrument builder and musician, and Kelsey Carriere of the Glassworks Cooperative Sustainable Housing Initiative, both of whom brought giant puppet experience to the mix.
The workshops are part of an attempt to weave together community and to energize the climate action movement after a long pandemic lull.
Veteran violence prevention practitioner and environmental advocate, Joachim Ostertag, one of the volunteer Earth Day Planning Committee members, remarked on how successfully the event was in this regard.
“It was amazing and encouraging seeing folks of all ages, with so much positive energy in the room, something many of us have not experienced in a long time. It was playful, relaxed and allowed for thoughtful and artistic reflections for everybody – something that also has been missing a lot in these dark days,” noted Ostertag.
The inter-generational participation in the workshops was part of what many participants found unique and appealing.
“The collaboration between children and adults was also very refreshing,” commented Ostertag, who is also chair of the Climate Action Team Owen Sound (CATOS).
Of the workshops, Koopman said that, “Coming together as a community, young and old, to work on paper mâché wildlife was inspiring and so much fun! A way to give the young a voice regarding their love of animals and their future in this world.”
The Wildlife Paper Mâché workshops are a prelude to the celebration of Earth Day on April 23, from 1:30 – 5 p.m. at the Owen Sound Farmers Market. Everyone in Grey Bruce is invited.
The event will open with a Water Ceremony and will then go on to feature displays of local resources for greener living and climate action, activities, and entertainment for children and youth, a parade, and will end with live music and dance. Musical lineup for the event features Coco Love Alcorn and Drew McIvor, the Durham Sauntering Band, the Saugeen Sound Conspiracy, Owen Sound Poet Laureate Richard Sitoski, Owen Sound Dance Academy, a children’s sing-along with Oh Sing!, with Jon Famer as MC.
Everyone is encouraged to come bringing wildlife art, stuffed animals, or dressed as wildlife and to give this wildlife a visible presence at Earth Day Parade.
“To follow Earth Day Grey Bruce 22 developments, and to see photos of the Wildlife Paper Mâché workshops, like our Facebook page and join our Facebook group, and follow us on Instagram via @EarthDayGB22,” said organizers.
