drypoint etching; 8×10”
“Under the guidance of art teacher Jamie Schorsch, students explored the art of drypoint etching as a medium to communicate ideas about conservation and sustainability. Using the U.S. National Parks as inspiration, they researched environmental challenges facing specific parks and aligned their findings with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).”
“Virunga National Park was founded in 1925 as Albert National Park, then renamed to Virunga National Park in 1969. This park is the only protected area on Earth home to three taxa of great apes. Through conservation efforts, rangers and park staff strive to support the growth of their populations, which are threatened by conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. This park seeks to preserve wildlife that is dwindling in population including mountain gorillas (which this park is home to more than ⅓ of), chimpanzees, African bush elephants, okapi (which has a population so low that they were previously thought to be extinct), and lions. I chose this park because of my love for animals and my appreciation for their conservation of these endangered animals. The UN SDG that most directly relates to the park I chose is “Life on Land.” I say this because of their efforts to conserve the lives of the endangered animals previously mentioned and more. Not only are they helping to protect these animals from the dangers of humans, but they’re also preventing the extinction of these species. They have succeeded in growing the populations of these species therefore decreasing the risk of them going extinct. Although that is the main one I associate with Virunga National Park, I would like to mention that this park is committed to supporting local communities and, with over 650 rangers, is actively working to create jobs and reduce poverty rates. I wanted to express their conservation of life on land in my artwork by showing how the gorillas are doing well in this park and there are new gorillas being born, meaning they’re getting further from extinction. This project helped me to learn the dangers that humans bring to other species on Earth. Whether it’s deforestation or war or even hunting to trade, we bring many risks to these animals and that is the main reason they became endangered. I also learned that even when close to extinction, it is possible to save these animals and grow their populations. I think it’s important for everyone to understand the impact that human activities have on the environment and wildlife. I hope my piece can help someone to feel sympathy for the poor gorillas and the other species that we are putting in so much danger, and I hope I adequately illustrated this beautiful moment between a mama gorilla and a baby gorilla.”
ARTIST BIO: Aurora STUDENKA is a grade 10 student at OHHS.