​workshops, grants, & collaborative art​

printmaking with ​state park guests

As part of our residency at Catoctin Forest / Catoctin Mountain Park, Melissa ran a printmaking workshop for children. Children made designs with pencils onto foam printing plates, then used block printing ink to print their designs on construction paper.  Children used the park as inspiration for their art, and walked away with a lovely memento of their time at Catoctin!

Ben hosted a photography walk for guests of the park. ​

student-created
bilingual seek & find book

 My French students and I created a Children’s Bilingual Seek and Find Book. Each of my French students drew and colored an illustration with the provided sketchbook and oil pastels. Students then photographed the illustration, digitally retouched it, and uploaded it to a shared document. These illustrations were then compiled into a French and English “seek and find” children’s book. Copies of the book were provided to each of the district’s elementary schools and accepted into the Moorestown Public Library’s collection. This was made possible by a grant from the Moorestown Education Foundation. 

park-specific nature journal

The digital format of this book has been provided to Catoctin Mountain Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, and Catoctin Forest Alliance. These organizations have specific permission to copy and distribute, for educational and/or commercial purposes, the digital or printed version of this book. This book was made in part during the artist-in-residence program in Catoctin Mountain Park.

interactive outdoor hundreds chart

This outdoor interactive hundreds chart has 100 tiles with coiled numbers shaped and applied by the first grade students at Eldridge Park Elementary School. Students are able to flip the tiles around to form visual patterns to better understand math concepts. Melissa was awarded a grant from the Lawrence Township Education Foundation to fund this project.

character building "falcon frieze"

 The falcon, Eldridge Park's mascot, is the main image. Each feather was made by a third grade student in the current school year and includes their name, favorite school subject, and best or most improved character trait. When they graduate 3rd grade, they will receive their feather back and keep it as a memento of their time and growth at Eldridge Park. The outside border made of small squares have the initials of each of the 3rd graders from the inaugural class. Melissa was awarded a grant from the Lawrence Township Education Foundation to fund this project.​