Rolling with ArtVan & the Magic of Salt Marshes

By Emily Stinneford, Summer Program Steward

Every child (and those of us who will always be children at heart) deserves to experience the magic of ArtVan. 

There’s nothing quite like being covered head to toe in paint as a mark of a great time!

Recall back to your summer vacations as a young person. Imagine - the humidity and heat are slightly suffocating, and you’ve been tasked with entertaining yourself for the day. During the school year, you craved freedom like this, but now the dread of finding something to do that isn’t a repeat of the past two months feels so overwhelming. You’ve read all the books on your shelf, ridden your bike around the block twenty-seven times just this morning, and your little sibling has tragically broken yet another toy of yours. 

Suddenly, as if they could sense your boredom and were called to save you, a massive brightly colored van rolls into your neighborhood, honking delightfully. As expected, your curiosity calls you to investigate this rainbow-splatter-painted vehicle adorned with robots and filled to the brim with every art supply imaginable. That’s exactly what I wanted for my birthday from age three through…well…I’d still ask for that…

Luckily enough, for three weeks in July, our Community Engagement Manager, Emily, and I ventured out into the world of ArtVan and were able to experience this joy firsthand.

ArtVan is celebrating 20 years this summer!

“For some children, it’s an opportunity to create in a safe and judgment-free environment. For others, it is a time for structured play and learning. For every child, it is a place to feel supported, and free to confide in someone about your experiences and feelings. ”

artvan

ArtVan is an incredible organization whose mission is to bring mobile art therapy to communities. Since 2004, for forty-four weeks of the year, they engage with kids in neighborhoods, schools, and community centers, bringing with them new and creative art therapy projects every week. Through art, these young people can interact with their community, receive support from trusted adults, and explore their emotional and social expression. 

For some children, it’s an opportunity to create in a safe and judgment-free environment. For others, it is a time for structured play and learning. For every child, it is a place to feel supported, and free to confide in someone about your experiences and feelings.

ArtVan also collaborates with Midcoast Literacy to provide free books for any child that attends a program throughout the summer. Special thanks to Robin for her work!

the magic of salt marshes

In collaboration with ArtVan, KELT provided educational lessons (with exciting science projects, games, and interactive learning, of course) that highlighted the value of our salt marshes here in the Kennebec Estuary. Program Director, Jamie Silvestri and her incredible team brainstormed the most amazing art projects that perfectly coordinated with each of our sessions. 

We first discussed how salt marshes act like sponges, soaking up water during large storm surges. They are our frontline defense, and protect us fiercely! We then used sponges to create signs, using recycled political posters. 

Week two was centered on the creatures that call salt marshes home. We brought many fun shells to investigate and discussed why salt marshes are such fascinating ecosystems. Our art project utilized aluminum foil and scrap cloth to create sea creatures. 

Our third and final week focused on the relationship between fresh and saltwater in the marshes. We demonstrated an exciting science experiment and then painted with watercolors and salt, which together create beautiful patterns. 

Painting with sponges.

Experimenting with color mixing to help visualize the relationship between salt and freshwater.

Painting with salt and watercolors.

the value of collaboration 

ArtVan is an incredible organization with a crucial mission. There is a significant overlap between supporting young people in their own social and emotional learning and instilling an appreciation of the natural world and their home. Finding roots in your community leads to a deeper sense of purpose and belonging - things that can be difficult to find and easily lost as a young person navigating life.

We absolutely adore ArtVan, and look forward to future collaborations!