Past projects 1
FUNctional Public Garden Art: Autism In Action
Funded Jun 7, 2015The overarching idea of this project was to empower middle school students with autism to contribute to the community through functional public art by creating four 20 gallon planters for a New York Restoration Project garden on the LES.
The project was an amazing experience for the students. The joy and pride they felt throughout the process of designing, creating, and installing the planters was clearly apparent on their faces and on their work. (The planters even glow in the dark!).
You can check out the project and some pictures here:
http://evgrieve.com/2015/06/art-installation-opening-and-garden.html
The power of creative education fostered deep engagement for the students. In my many years as an educator, I had never seen students with autism work so collaboratively with such intense focus and enthusiasm. Special thanks to local artist Chelsea Hrynick: www.chelseahrynick.com and @chelseahrynick
Moreover, other teachers and students expressed interest in doing similar projects. As a result, we are starting a more extensive gardening program which will incorporate both arts-based learning and work-based learning for our older students.
Thank you so much for your support.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Steinfeld