Participatory Art With Trees: A Pedagogical Approach

The study combined research in participatory art, transformative education and Arctic arts. The research aimed to enhance communication with nature and general nature connectedness and wellbeing. An art workshop and participatory installation were designed to foster dialogue between human subjects and powers of nature using various artistic and bodily exercises. Following the principles of arts-based research, it was enhanced through documentary photographs and participants' reflections. Findings indicate that expanding dialogue and sense of community between humans and powers of nature provides a sense of integrity. The value and potential implications of contemporary art discussed in this article are associated with informal education: facilitating healing and creating an opportunity for including other-than-human into sense of community.