“Stream of Serenity,” by Suri Doughty from Broadwater Academy won the Paint the Shore People’s Choice Award!
The Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust held Paint the Shore virtually this fall highlighting the work of 7th and 8th grade students from Arcadia Middle School, Broadwater Academy, and Nandua Middle School. Paint the Shore is an event highlighting the beauty and natural environment of Virginia’s Eastern Shore through plein air painting.
This year, Paint the Shore focused solely on celebrating the artwork of local middle school students. "It is important for young artists to be seen and heard in their larger community. When students gain confidence in their artistic abilities, they are validated and have a sense of pride that will carry over into every area they study," said Mrs. Sarah Brown Clark, Visual Arts Instructor, Nandua Middle School.
Art has a history of showcasing the beauty of nature, bringing preservation worthy landscapes to the public’s attention, and inspiring their protection. Yellowstone, the first National Park, was created in large part thanks to artists depicting the landscape through painting, sketching, and photography. Paint the Shore draws on this history of collaboration between art and conservation to inspire young artists and share the beauty of the Eastern Shore through their eyes.
STREAM OF SERENITY
“I’m driven to create art for my own enjoyment and happiness. My painting is imagery for a small waterfall or stream. I also added rocks, a tree in the corner, and small plants. Nature is, in my view, the purest form of the world, a place to decompress in serene environment,” wrote Suri Doughty in her artist’s statement.
Permissions
VES Land Trust has permission to use the images that appear on this website. However, the artists retain ownership of the images. Please do not download, print, repost, or distribute images without the permission of the photographer.
Finalists
Plein Air Field Trip
For the first time, eighth grade art students from Nandua Middle School participated in a plein air painting field trip. Twelve students visited Seaview Farm, owned by Meriwether Payne and permanently protected with a VES Land Trust held conservation easement. Led by their teacher Sarah Brown Clark, Assistant Principal Dr. Berdetta Colbert, and VES Land Trust Community Outreach Coordinator Sam Willis, the students practiced plein air painting in small groups, participated in a mini lesson on art and conservation and had a picnic lunch. Students then submitted their completed paintings to Paint the Shore.
