New Exhibit, 'Nature Through a Child's Eyes,' Showcases the Work of Budding Artists

Psychedelic sand dollars, vibrantly colored spider webs and repoussé reptiles fill a large display room at the Lord Stirling Park Environmental Education Center as part of "Nature Through a Child's Eyes" – an art show by the children of Somerset County schools.

All Bernards public elementary schools are represented at the exhibit, which went up on Jan. 2 and will stay on display until Feb. 7.

The Environmental Education Center has run the program for 18 consecutive years, mailing letters out to art teachers at all of the Somerset elementary schools early in the year notifying them about the exhibit.

Twenty different teachers and their classes participated this year, showcasing 436 pieces of art from students in Kindergarten through sixth grade.

"Children's art is so vibrant compared to adult art. I like adult art too ... but it definitely draws you in," Naturalist Daryl Anne Villard said. "Their perspective on the world is so awesome."

Villard, who has run the program since 2001, also said she thinks the program helps young students engage nature in a new way. "[Art] is just another way to help them develop a connection to the natural world and [foster] stewardship," Villard said.

Many of the student artists wrote a sentence or two about "what nature means to me," to go along with their work.

The responses varied from: practical, "Nature is everything outside. It is important because without it, I would not have food," (Tommy Martinson, fifth grade, Liberty Corner) to philosophical, "Nature is a work of art that isn't made by human. You can get a spectacular view without making it," (Thomas Cedeno, fourth grade, Cedar Hill).

Other responses were: imaginative, "It is a beautiful wonderland of animals and trees. Without it, it would be a boring flat surface," (Claudia Taddeo, third grade, Mount Prospect), rhythmic, "Nature is green, so lets keep it clean," (Ana Conrado, fourth grade, Cedar Hill), abstract, "It's like winning a soccer game," (Kristen Rusas, fourth grade, Cedar Hill), to the point, "I like squirrels and I would be sad if they were all gone," (Tobey Jay, Kindergarten, Liberty Corner), proverbial, "Mother nature is imaginary but she take care of us. Do we take care of her?" (Andy Ho, fifth grade, Somerset School) and elegant in its simplicity, "I think nature is the beautifullest sight you can see," (Luke Dimitroc-Kuhl, second grade, Woods Road School).

The young writer / artists were welcomed to an opening gala celebration at the exhibit on 190 Lord Stirling Road on Sunday to see their work on display, and the art will be returned to the schools for safe keeping upon the exhibit's closing.