Art with a Mission: TBP Students Illustrate How to Take Care of Texas

Students from the Arlington, Bolt and Mesquite campuses recently showcased their creativity in the statewide “Take Care of Texas Kids Art Contest,” a program designed to promote environmental awareness through student artwork. This year’s theme focused on fun ways to keep the air clean.

Art teachers Jack Ledsome (Bolt), Vanessa Dorado (Mesquite) and Anna Sparkman (Arlington) guided their students through the contest, which challenged them to visualize how individuals can help protect Texas’ air quality. Students submitted drawings featuring clean energy, nature scenes and everyday ways to reduce pollution.

“My students love participating in contests, and make it a competition among themselves,” Sparkman said. “They were also excited at the prospect of the prizes offered.”

Before putting pencil to paper, Sparkman said her students had meaningful conversations about air pollution and ways to reduce it.

“Each class had a discussion about positive ways to keep the air clean compared to negative ways, such as riding a bike as opposed to a car with black plumes of smoke coming out of the exhaust,” she said.

 

Sparkman added that many students found creative inspiration in the world around them.

“These children care deeply about the world around them,” she said. “Many of them see art as a way to express their concerns.”

At the Bolt campus, Ledsome said the project gave students a broader perspective on environmental issues.

 “It has brought awareness to the students in a more humanitarian way,” he said. “It forced them to look at situations that are beyond their own immediate surroundings.”

Ledsome said the contest allowed students to “use their creativity to problem solve the problems facing the state.” He said their concept centered on “how could they environmentally keep Texas safe by coming up with non-traditional methods.”

“The participation has empowered the students to investigate more serious conditions facing the state of Texas and how maybe they can be a part of changing it in the future,” Ledsome said.

He added that the students saw art as a powerful tool to spark conversations.

“They have talked about using art to bring awareness for anti-drug situations and bullying,” he said. “They also have brought up art to talk about other interests like world war.”

For more information on the contest, visit takecareoftexas.org.