Destin Green Fest Engages Children to Promote Conservation in Florida

PRLog (Press Release) - Apr 22, 2010 -
Reston, VA, April 22, 2010 – On this 40th annual celebration of Earth Day in which individuals and organizations take part in promoting the importance of conservation, a strong partnership has emerged in Destin, Florida that reflects the spirit of fostering community participation and action. Elementary students from participating local schools and teens from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast spent the month of April preparing recycled art creations for the Destin Green Fest, which is scheduled Saturday, April 24th at Destin Commons from 12-3 p.m. The theme of the event is “Reuse, Buy Locally & Conserve” and is meant to raise awareness for the importance of protecting the environment along Florida’s Emerald Coast. This Earth Day inspired event features organically-grown produce, a cut-a-thon, green-friendly workshops, interactive children’s activities and an Abrakadoodle art exhibit crafted from recycled materials. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast.

Erin Bakker, Director of Abrakadoodle-NW Florida remarked, “I am so proud of the wonderful recycled creations our students have crafted for this event. Abrakadoodle is proud to host the interactive children’s art activities at this event and to display the art produced by our talented students. A number of local businesses answered our challenge and submitted more than 20 globes that will be on display this weekend, as well.  It’s been an immense undertaking, but we are inspiring budding artists and creative thinkers with a tie-in to an important community event with special thanks to the Destin Commons and our co-sponsors for hosting this first-ever Destin Green Fest.”

Students from Valparaiso Elementary participated in Abrakadoodle Green Garden Art during their April Early Release Day using recycled items, such as egg cartons and garden hoses, which would have otherwise been discarded. The children created portraits to help remind them to “Reuse, Recycle & Conserve.” At the Destin Elementary April Early Release Day, Abrakadoodle art students used cut cardboard tubes to make modern, abstract sculpture and attached it to a background of woven magazine strips with amazing results. Another Abrakadoodle art class repurposed glass bottles, egg cartons and newspapers to create a funky and fun bouquet of flowers in a bud vase. Children applied a watercolor wash to the newspaper to give it color and used their imaginations to make their unique creations. From creating colorful bubble wrap masterpieces to painting cardboard from Abrakadoodle’s Ocean Conservation Exploration Early Release Day, children throughout NW Florida have learned about their environment and ways in which they can creatively reuse and recycle.

See student art and read more about this inspiring project at Abrakadoodle NWF Facebook Fan Page:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Florida-Panhand....

About Abrakadoodle
Established in 2002 by award-winning educator/franchise developer Mary Rogers, MA.Ed and children’s services franchising expert Rosemarie Hartnett, CFE, Abrakadoodle is the most comprehensive international art education franchise of its kind. You can find Abrakadoodle in schools and community sites, providing integrated art instruction, as well as a wide array of art classes, camps, birthday parties and special events for children ages 20 months to 12 years old.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10641825/1