“How can art help make connections through differences?” This was the guiding question we planned for an art workshop for eighth graders of Lincoln School as a part of their Service Nepal Programme at Chitlang.
Our goal was twofold: to connect with nature and to connect with each other. With students from diverse cultural backgrounds, many of whom are not fluent in Nepali, we were curious to see how art could become a universal language—one that goes beyond spoken words and instead uses creativity, material and the environment to bring people together. Along the way, students also had the opportunity to dive into the inspiring field of land art.
Over the course of four days, students engaged in a thoroughly structured workshop divided into four two-hour sessions including 30 minutes of daily journaling. The first two days focused on planning, researching, brainstorming, and reflective writing. The final two days were dedicated to creating artwork. Students learned about land art and were introduced to four visionary land artists: Richard Shilling, Andy Goldsworthy, Neri Oxman, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
In small groups, students drew inspiration from their assigned land artists as they explored the forests and trails around Chitlang. They collected natural materials that stood out to them and felt personally significant. To strengthen this connection, students observed their materials closely—feeling textures, noting shapes, and even taking in the scent. These sensory experiences were captured in their journals through drawings and written reflections. As they shared their discoveries, they began to link their findings to the environment around them and to each other’s experiences. A key part of the process was learning how to combine individual discoveries into one cohesive, collaborative artwork.
For instance, the students with Neri Oxman as their chosen artist were inspired specifically by her choice of colors, mathematical sequences, collage of natural materials and intricate patterns. They collectively decided to work with pinecones and work on fibonacci sequence as it is one of prime examples of natural sequences.
Motivated by their chosen artist Richard Shilling, the group incorporated elements like circular and spiral patterns and stacked pebbles. Each student contributed a unique idea, which they thoughtfully merged into a cohesive, mountain-like structure—beautifully layered to reflect both individual creativity and collective unity.
Influenced by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the group focused on the concept of covering and weaving fabric-like structures using natural materials. They transformed a bare tree by intertwining leaves with pine needles and covering it with materials such as leaves, pine cones, and flowers. This process symbolized connection and renewal, aiming to make the tree feel less isolated.
Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy’s focus on balance, repetition, and harmony with nature, the students created a basket by weaving branches together and decorating it with flowers. They also planned to make it float on the river, returning it to nature.
The workshop was a transformative experience for the students. As they worked together on their land-art projects, the students not only learned how art can connect people across language barriers, but also discovered how individual ideas could merge to create something unified. Drawing inspiration from their chosen artist, they gathered materials from their surroundings and reflected on their significance, deepening their appreciation for the artistic process. This hands-on approach strengthened their bonds within the group and highlighted how differences can come together to form meaningful connections. By the end of the session, the students had gone from being reserved to embracing collaboration, leaving with a greater understanding of how art can unite us, no matter our backgrounds.
This was the second time Srijanalaya engaged with Lincoln School for their Service Learning Program with Grade 8 students. In the mornings, Grade 8 students were mentored by the Art-in-School team at Srijanalaya to teach through the arts with students from grades 1 to 5, and in the afternoons they engaged in the art workshops shared above by Barsha Manandhar. We took this opportunity to also do an orientation session with the teachers of the public schools as well. Last year, the Grade 8 students worked through the medium of drawing and this year (2025) they used the medium of collage. Lincoln School has been developing a long term relationship with two public schools in Chitlang for young children.
