Planet Appreciation
Every year on April 22nd, Earth Day brings people together around the world to celebrate our planet and inspire action to protect it. It’s a time to reflect on the beauty of nature—and the urgent need to preserve it. One powerful way that artists contribute to this mission is through environmental art, a creative movement that uses visual storytelling to raise awareness, spark emotion, and promote sustainability. From large-scale installations made of recycled materials to intricate illustrations of endangered species, environmental art connects us to the natural world in ways that facts and figures alone often can’t. It’s where creativity meets conservation. Join OMSI and artist Alice Langlois as we explore Earth Day, environmentalism, and how the natural world is one of our greatest artistic inspirations.
Earthly Beginnings
Earth Day, a global event dedicated to environmental protection and raising awareness about ecological issues, has played a significant role in shaping modern environmentalism. First celebrated on April 22, 1970, Earth Day was the brainchild of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who sought to address the growing concerns about pollution and environmental degradation. Inspired by the student activism of the 1960s and the rising environmental concerns of the time, Nelson wanted to bring these issues into the national spotlight.
The History of Earth Day
Earth Day’s roots are tied to the environmental movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time when industrial pollution was wreaking havoc on the environment. One of the catalysts for Earth Day was the catastrophic oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, in 1969, which raised public awareness about the environmental dangers posed by unchecked industrial practices.
Nelson’s vision was to create a “national teach-in” on environmental issues, which would involve communities, universities, and grassroots groups coming together to learn about the environment and demand political action. With the help of Denis Hayes, a young activist, and an enthusiastic team, the first Earth Day mobilized 20 million people across the United States—about 10% of the population at the time.
The success of the first Earth Day led to significant political outcomes, such as the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December 1970 and the passage of landmark environmental legislation like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Earth Day demonstrated the power of grassroots movements and public demand for government action on environmental issues.
Environmentalism and Art
The environmental movement’s impact on art has been profound, with artists using their work to raise awareness about ecological issues, challenge traditional artistic norms, and inspire activism. Art has always been a powerful tool for social change, and environmentalism is no exception. Through various mediums, artists have contributed to the environmental discourse by depicting the beauty of nature, addressing the destructive effects of human activity, and urging for more sustainable ways of living.
Alice Langlois is a multidisciplinary artist working in stop-motion animation, sculpture, and music, based in Portland, Oregon. Originally from Western Massachusetts, her rural upbringing fostered a deep love for nature, which remains central to her work. Drawing inspiration from organic textures and forms—like feathers, seed pods, and moss—she integrates natural and found materials into her art, promoting sustainability through eco-conscious creative practices. Her work has been showcased in festivals and galleries around the world, and she has collaborated with renowned animation studios including LAIKA, House Special, and Houses in Motion. Whether animating frame by frame or sculpting with forest-found objects, Alice’s art reflects a deep reverence for the natural world and a passion for storytelling.
Environmental Art and Advocacy
Environmental art is not a new phenomenon; it has been around since the 1960s, just as Earth Day was beginning to gain momentum. Artists like Robert Smithson, who created the iconic “Spiral Jetty” in 1970, began using the landscape itself as their canvas, making works that were integrated into the natural world. Smithson’s work, a large-scale earthwork built in the Great Salt Lake, not only utilized natural materials but also reflected on the relationship between humans and the environment, raising questions about human intervention in nature.
In the decades since Earth Day’s inception, environmental art has evolved to include many forms, from sculptures made of recycled materials to installations that respond to climate change. These works often highlight the impact of pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change on the planet, prompting viewers to reflect on their role in preserving or harming the environment.
Art has also been used as a means of protest and a tool for environmental activism. During Earth Day celebrations, artists have created murals, sculptures, and performances that engage with the community, raising awareness about environmental causes. Many of these works challenge political and corporate power structures that perpetuate environmental harm, while also celebrating the beauty and importance of the natural world.
For instance, in the 1980s and 1990s, the “earthworks” movement gained momentum, with artists like Andy Goldsworthy creating temporary art installations from natural elements such as leaves, stones, and branches. These works often emphasize the impermanence of nature and the delicate balance of ecosystems. Similarly, “green art” and the use of sustainable practices in the creation of art have grown in popularity, encouraging artists to adopt eco-friendly materials and processes in their work.
Public art, especially in the form of installations and large-scale outdoor works, has also become a major vehicle for environmental advocacy. For example, “The Gates” by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, though not overtly environmental in message, engaged the public with its monumental scale and its temporary alteration of Central Park. The artwork made people consider their relationship to public spaces and the environment, creating an opportunity for reflection on urban green spaces and the role of nature in our lives.
In the 21st century, climate change has become a central focus of many environmental artists. From digital works that visualize climate data to sculptures made from materials impacted by climate events (such as ice that melts over time), these works aim to inspire action and urgency. Artists like Olafur Eliasson, with his installation “Ice Watch” in 2014, used massive blocks of ice from Greenland to create an interactive installation that raised awareness about global warming and its impacts on the polar regions.
Artist Josh Kline, in his work Climate Change at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, CA, created a pseudo-documentary of survivors talking about their experiences in a fictitious climate disaster.
The combination of art and environmentalism is powerful because it speaks directly to the senses and emotions of individuals. By visually representing the effects of human activity on the planet, environmental art can spark a deeper, more personal connection to ecological issues and motivate people to take action.
Earth Day Activity – Plantvision
Get inspired by eco stop motion artist Alice Langlois and bring nature to life in your own short film! This DIY project invites you to collect natural materials—like leaves, feathers, stones, or shells—and animate them using stop motion techniques.
As Alice says, “I started using butterfly wings, feathers, rocks, seashells, bones… anything I could find to make experimental animations.” She encourages you to let nature guide your creativity: “I let the objects I find inform what art I make when I’m outside.”
All you need is a phone or camera, a simple stop motion app, and your imagination. Let your curiosity lead the way—“Go outside. Go places you’ve never been… Find something that sparks that passion in you.”
Stop Motion Studio is a user-friendly app that makes creating stop motion animations fun and accessible for all skill levels. With it, you can capture individual frames using your device’s camera and string them together to create smooth animations. The app offers features like onion skinning (seeing a ghost image of the previous frame), timeline editing, voiceover and sound effects, green screen effects, and full HD export. Whether you’re animating LEGO scenes or clay figures, Stop Motion Studio gives you all the tools you need to bring your creative ideas to life, frame by frame.
-Natural objects: leaves, stones, bark, petals, pinecones, etc.
-Smartphone or tablet with a stop-motion app (like Stop Motion Studio)
-Tripod or stable stand for your device
-Outdoor space (e.g. park, schoolyard, garden)
Head outside and responsibly gather natural materials.
Encourage variety in:
-texture (rough bark, soft petals)
-size (small pebbles to large leaves)
-color.
Sketch a basic storyboard or sequence.
Ideas:
-Small to large stones in a spiral
-Leaf color gradient from green to red
-A wave made from bark pieces
Arrange your materials slightly for each frame—move them to slowly build or shift the pattern.
Example:
-Grow a spiral one leaf at a time
-Capture 1 photo per movement
-Aim for 10–15 frames per second for smoother playback
Arrange your materials slightly for each frame—move them to slowly build or shift the pattern.
Example: grow a spiral one leaf at a time
-Capture 1 photo per movement
-Aim for 10–15 frames per second for smoother playback
Play back your animation in the app. Make adjustments or re-shoot if needed. You can add sound effects or natural background sounds for a finishing touch.
What’s the Science?
Ecology is the science that helps us understand how all living things—plants, animals, people, and even tiny bugs—connect with each other and their environment. Imagine a big puzzle where every piece is important. That’s how nature works! The word “ecology” comes from Greek words that mean “the study of home.” But instead of just one house, this home is the whole planet! A scientist named Ernst Haeckel first used the word “ecology” in 1866, but even before that, Indigenous peoples around the world had been using ecological knowledge to live in balance with nature.
Still from Motions of Nature
Understanding ecology is important because it helps us solve big problems. For example, ecologists study endangered animals, like sea turtles and snow leopards, and find ways to protect them. They also help farmers grow food in ways that are good for the Earth, like using less water and planting crops that help the soil. Some ecologists work to clean up polluted rivers and lakes. Others study climate change and how we can keep Earth healthy for the future. Whether it’s a forest, a desert, or a coral reef, ecologists are working to understand and care for the world’s ecosystems.
Ecology doesn’t just help scientists—it also inspires artists! Nature has been a part of art for thousands of years. People paint landscapes, sculpt animals, and write songs about rivers, forests, and mountains. Some artists, like Andy Goldsworthy, create artwork using natural things like leaves, ice, and stones.
One of the most exciting things about ecology is that anyone can be an ecologist. You don’t need a lab coat or special tools. You can explore your backyard, observe animals at a park, or plant flowers that bees will love. Picking up litter, saving water, or learning about endangered species are all ways to help. The more we understand nature, the better we can protect it—and that helps everyone, including future generations.
Ecology is all around us, every single day. It helps scientists understand how life works, it guides people to care for the planet, and it inspires amazing art and stories. Whether you love science, drawing, animals, or just playing outside, ecology connects us all. So next time you see a bird, a tree, or even a tiny ant, remember: you’re looking at a part of a big, beautiful system. And you can help take care of it!