Orfe EcoArt program
The Orfe EcoArt Program is an experimental ecological art program specifically designed to promote creativity and environmental responsibility in children and youth, understanding that a creative mind and a responsible attitude are key to becoming an active member of society and contributing to the community’s health and safety.
Orfe EcoArt Program relies on different artistic techniques and the use of recyclable materials to encourage children to reach their full creative potential, while at the same time closely following the environment-related educational curriculum. The program exposes children to concepts such as social responsibility, environmental awareness, the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse and Repurpose), and creative approaches to social change.
Orfe EcoArt’s in-person and online programming engage children and teachers with hands-on community art workshops/projects, encouraging them to create and discover the world around them. Orfe EcoArt sparks a long-lasting interest in art and the environment, inspiring and challenging children, and their families to take care of the planet.
The Orfe EcoArt Program has been welcomed in Toronto school communities since 2014, has received Canada’s first Climate Art Award, and has become a strategic partner of the Toronto District School Board and TDSB EcoSchool.
Mission
Our mission is to inspire and prepare a new generation with the knowledge and creativity to be environmentally conscious leaders and innovators, by providing educational programs in an eco-friendly environment where children can learn through experience, experimental art techniques, and a hands-on approach.
Vision
“To turn around the heart of our culture by building a more compassionate world, where children with their creativity, uniqueness, and environmental consciousness want to be the leaders who transform the world into a better place to live.”
Orfelina Millan, Founder.
Our Values
- Community involvement
- Ecological Consciousness
- Social Responsibility
- Self Confidence
- Creativity
- Communication
- Teamwork
The above values align with the principle: ‘‘As you take care of the planet, you are also taking care of others, in the present and future’’ This principle is centered at the core of Orfe’s philosophy.
The lessons we have learned through our experience working with children have inspired us to create a space where they can feel safe to express generosity and compassion and explore the joy and accomplishment that is experienced in return for their care.
Orfe Eco-Art program offers a friendly and caring atmosphere, it brings attention to the beauty of nature and our surroundings, and it provides an Eco-friendly environment by applying the principle of Reduce, Re-use, and Re-purpose.
Practicing the 3Rs strengthens very important aspects of a child’s life, including values.
Reduce
Kids learn to use resources wisely in order to avoid waste. For example, we clean and dry the brushes with recyclable pieces of old clothes to avoid the use of paper towels; the leftover paint is collected in the same or different containers. We minimize the use of water when we have to rinse the utensils used in classes. We encourage children to avoid buying unnecessary materials. Children learn that they can reduce waste when reusing the resources available in their environment.
Re-use
Through the Orfe EcoArt Program children learn and practice how to reuse materials instead of throwing them away, e.g. food containers can be used to clean or collect items during the class. The elements used during and for the entire program like the tablecloths are reused in the creation of new artistic projects; our reusable paint pallets are made from plastic food containers; old brushes are repurposed and used within our art projects.
Re-purpose
Children find new ways to repurpose items. We provide a variety of recyclable and organic materials such as food boxes, bottle cans, bottle caps, toilet paper tubes, dry sticks, orange and lime peels, etc., that have been previously collected and treated. These recycled materials are provided while retaining their original form, so children can experience the power of creativity and transformation of mundane objects into works of art.
Orfe Philosophy
Children at Orfe are learners, but we also recognize that we have a lot to learn from them. They provide innate knowledge that we must listen to and respect to achieve a better world. For this reason, we strive to cultivate in our students the following aspects: