“The Great Indoors” Project in Visual Arts Explores Nature’s Positive Effects on Interior Spaces

Visual arts students in St. Margaret’s Upper School are working on a project that incorporates nature into an interior space—part of a larger discussion on how to make indoor spaces positively affect one’s mood.

It’s a concept that’s being implemented in several visual arts classes, both this semester and next, as students learn more about how environments can be influenced artistically to positively influence behavior, health and frame of mind. “The Great Indoors” project was conceptualized by photography teacher Amanda Albanese and visual arts department chair Jesse Standlea.

In intermediate clay handbuilding, taught by Mr. Standlea students were asked to examine the course’s traditional creation of vases with a new perspective of health and wellness.

“One of the best ways to make a positive impact on your space is by adding nature to it, be it images or plants, real or simulated,” Mr. Standlea said. “We make vases every year and we thought this would be the perfect connection.”

After the vases were completed, students worked on adding an ideal flower arrangement that complemented the design of their vase. Some students plan to offer their creations to be displayed around campus, as a way to spread mood-boosting aesthetics to classrooms across St. Margaret’s.

The concept will also be part of multiple second-semester courses, including Ms. Albanese’s advance study: photography class, and Mr. Standlea’s classes in advanced clay handbuilding and architecture, where students will be challenged to creatively incorporate nature into an interior architecture design.