Prairie View students take an innovative approach in tackling environmental issues by recycling art, an approach introduced by Anne Johnson, an instructor in the architecture department.
Johnson has taken something that most find a complicated chore and transformed it into a creative outlet for her craft design class, which has not been taught for several semesters at Prairie View. She, and her students, have proved that a class like this is not only a great way to channel creativity, but also a way to assist in making the environment more habitable for those who occupy it.
The students put a twist to the cliché “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” by taking boxes, shredded paper, and other materials, which would normally be tossed as garbage, and put them through a process which is essentially making paper from scratch. They then use the product, which is a recycled version of paper that had already been used, and transform it into art.
“It was better to recycle it than to throw it out…we basically made something out of nothing,” said Johnson, who motivated students to utilize “found objects,” a derivation of her personal art style.
Students found many ways to access their artistic side, converting what would be “junk” into items including hand-made books and stationary, both items that are used on a daily basis.
The idea of recycling has intrigued more than architecture students.
Junior agriculture major Robert Kirkwood, speaks up on the importance of recycling.
“The more paper we use the more trees we have to cut down, if we keep cutting trees we won’t be able to breathe so recycling saves trees and lives,” said Kirkwood who admits that he never really thought about recycling before hearing about Johnson incorporating it into her class curriculum.
Other students, like Jarmel Jarmon-Joiner, senior social work major, are more aware of the importance of recycling. “[Recycling] means that Prairie View is trying to be environmentally conscious and it shows that the current state of the planet is in our awareness,” said Jarmon-Joiner.
This, along with the “PV Goes Green” recycling program puts us one step closer in the international effort to save our planet.