Today the NOLA Artist Incubator took the Magical Mobile Art Cart to the NOLA Nature School in the 7th ward! We rolled up with all of our supplies and set up right in front of the gates to the school.

This was very special for us because we are so aligned with their values as a school. The mission of NOLA Nature School is to provide all children and families with an educational opportunity that respects the place we live and follows the interest of the students, supports all domains of a child’s development and encourages children to develop a connection to and concern for our natural world. With a firm belief that nature provides ample resources through which children can learn, NOLA Nature School integrates the philosophy of Reggio Emilia into a unique place based education. We were so happy to facilitate art activities for this nature-based play centered educational program!

The cart arrived with all the materials needed to make an outdoor classroom for young learners.

We brought sidewalk chalk, clay, planting materials and seeds, pine cones and recycled tin cans for children to paint. Bringing dried cuttings of plants that had grown to seed at our garden, children had the chance to learn about seed saving while examining the natural materials.

We also came with soil and our potting tray to offer children the chance to grow their own plants. We shared seasonal vegetables and native plant seeds with learners as they picked their own seeds to plant in recycled containers.

Children took tours of the Magical Mobile Art Cart and made sculptures with the clay and pinecones that some students decided to paint.

Bringing our rain barrel from Greenlight allowed us to encourage teachers and students alike to add to the collaborative painting with exterior latex paint. It also opened the door to conversations about water conservation, something this group of learners knows all about because Nature School is so thoughtful about natural resources at their site.

We adore sharing our love of gardening and art with others and look forward to working with more schools in the future! Know of any other schools the Magical Mobile Art Cart should visit? Drop us a line or reach out to make arrangements with us!