DURING THE KIAWAH CONSERVANCY ’ S CELEBRATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE PLANT WEEK IN OCTOBER 2022 , A GROUP OF ARTISTS GATHERED ON KIAWAH ISLAND AND EXPLORED THE ISLAND ’ S MARSHLAND ECOSYSTEM THROUGH WATERCOLOR PAINTING . THE EVENT FOSTERED A CONNECTION WITH NATURE , CHALLENGED THE ARTISTS TO NOTICE AND IDENTIFY PLANTS , AND PROVIDED A CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR A GROUP OF NATURE LOVERS TO SHARE AN EXPERIENCE .
Take a moment to remember the last time you sat and gazed at a natural landscape . Can you remember the sounds of the animals , the textures of the plants , the color of the sky ? Perhaps you may recall some of these details , though the complete picture has faded . Now , consider how sketching or painting that scene may have challenged your brain to notice and retain the intricate details , such as patterns on bark , the hue of specific grasses , or the meandering branches of an oak tree . As a watercolor artist , I find that seeing nature with my eyes and reproducing the picture using my hands helps me relate to the surrounding beauty in a way that is memorable and deeply profound . Apparently , I am not alone ; research has shown that others experience a similar memorable occurrence when engaging in such practice .
The connection between the practices of making art in nature and how such an immersion may affect human memory and experience has been studied by scientists for decades . Researchers have found that these immersive and memorable moments have the ability to alter behaviors and enhance connectedness to the natural world . These opportunities bring new perspectives , allowing humans to slow down and truly relate to natural surroundings . Spending focused time with nature in such a way has the potential to help humans foster empathy for the environment , leading to a deeper care for remaining preserved lands . As the world develops further and natural spaces decrease in size , it is important for environmentalists , educators , and nature lovers to inspire that empathy in others .
In a place like Kiawah Island , South Carolina , the popularity of which has increased tourism to the island in the last decade , it ’ s imperative to provide both residents and visitors with opportunities to peacefully connect with remaining wild spaces . In October 2022 , I witnessed the impact of such an opportunity with fourteen other artists , as we studied a Kiawah marsh landscape and painted the scene together .
One of Kiawah ’ s protected marshes lies at the east end of the island . The private Marsh House club provides a panorama of wild scenery , complete with salty tides , nesting birds , and live oaks . According to the Kiawah Conservancy , this is one of the marsh properties contributing to the marsh landmass that totals 45 % of Kiawah ’ s area . The saltwater marsh ecosystem is extremely important to the overall environmental health of Kiawah . The marshes are productive and diverse systems , complete with lush vegetation , nutrient-rich soils , swarming insects ,
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