In recent years OISE faculty and students have been working to raise awareness about issues about the environment, climate justice, and sustainability through the creation of a series of environmental art installations. Many of these are part of the 'Take the Stairs' campaign, forming a walking art gallery in the main stairwell of the OISE building to encouraging community members to take the stairs, rather than elevators (thereby conserving the energy of the elevators and improving the health and wellness of the walkers). These installations highlight a range of issues, including the environmental rights of children, the plight of migratory birds, the importance of nature-based learning and the four Cardinal Directions, and the shift to sustainability practices. Other artworks are found in OISE classrooms and the library. To learn more about the impacts of these community-created artworks, refer to this research article. Access more information on each installation below.
These handmade relief prints were created to raise awareness of the plight of migratory birds and the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP).
This mixed-media art installation shares children's learning about Indigenous knowledge, native plants and the four Cardinal Directions.
This clay and metal installation focuses on sustainability practices that can be implemented in schools.
This art project, created with intermediate and secondary students, uses creative light switch stickers to encourage energy conservation.
These murals share young students' growing knowledge and understanding about trees .
This clay installation highlights the environmental rights of children through their own eyes.
This clay art installation explores the power of nature-based learning.
This mural focuses on the plight of migratory birds in urban environments.
Found in the OISE Library, this clay art installation celebrates the OISE Community Learning Garden.
The challenges faced by Ontario bees are explored in this bee-autiful art installation.
This installation uses upcycled materials to raise awareness of issues faced by Ontario butterflies.
This mural integrates image and text to celebrate OISE's Learning Garden and its many native plant species.