Seaweed Inspires Art: Q & A With John Ewen

• This written interview with artist John Ewen discusses his method of making pressed-seaweed artwork, his scientific curiosity, and his hopes of increasing the appreciation and awareness of this important marine species.
• The site includes beautiful images of his work and links to learn more.
  

Positives

• Students may appreciate learning about the multi-step process to create this artwork.
• There are links to the posts of the artwork highlighted for the Sea Grant calendar that students can view.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Younger students may need some words defined for them prior to reading the interview.
• Access to the Internet and social media is required to view the posts.
  

Differentiation

• Art students can explore the technique described by the artist and then apply it to a local plant species in their area.
• Science classes can use the artist's inquiry about the seaweed he collected to connect to lessons about habitats, invasive species, environmental conditions, or marine ecosystems.
• Consider having students create artwork for a gallery walk based on one type of marine species, with each piece containing a description of the species's habitat, nutritional needs, and how changing ocean conditions may affect the species.
• Connect this resource to climate change by discussing the increasing frequency of strong storms, higher ocean temperatures, changing ocean currents, and increasing ocean acidification.