Threatened Species Series, “Crimson Spider Orchid”.

Crimson Spider Orchid

Term 3 art classes at Art Box Workshops focus on teaching children how to create artworks on the Theme of threatened species in Australia in the lead up to “National Threatened Species Day” that is held every year on September 7^th. We encourage our students to create artworks on paper in various mediums and techniques such as drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media. Whilst our students are engaged in learning new creative skills they also have the opportunity to learn more about Australian threatened species.

This year the number of threatened species in N.S.W is over 1000, even though this is a daunting fact to comprehend by looking at each individual plant or animal and honouring them by creating an artwork children will be inspired to learn more about the Threatened species understand the individual reasons for their population’s decline and be open to sharing their views about these issues.
One of the Plants that we will be teaching how to draw and create into an artwork is the “Crimson Spider Orchid” (Caladenia concolor) , which boasts deep purplish-red flowers that are said to smell like a hot motor when they bloom in September.  These orchids are likely to suffer damage during track maintenance and when vehicles leave established tracks. While fire may have a positive influence on seedling germination and establishment, inappropriate fire regimes are considered a threat to the crimson spider orchid. Serious weed infestations may also impact the orchid. There are thought to be just four crimson spider orchid populations in NSW.
The artwork created by our students at Art Box Workshops may have the opportunity to be entered into, “Our Threatened Plants and animals”. Art competition that also correlates with the lead up to National Threatened Species Day on September 7^th 2016.  – Julia.