Dirt-O-Rama “Clayhouse”
Museum Art Project
Dirt-O-Rama “Clayhouse”
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Summer of 2012
An opportunity for children and families
to get their hands (and feet) in the dirt.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 2012
We were fortunate to be part of a program that took place at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum entitled “Dirt-O-Rama: Intriguing Tales Beneath Our Feet.” The central idea behind the program was to remind the public of how the rising human population with its increasing needs, growing demands on the land to produce food and feedstock, fiber, bioenergy as well as building materials, needs wise stewardship to meet those demands.
Our particular project was called the “Clayhouse,” a small round structure out of dirt-filled burlap bags plastered inside and out with clay from a brick factory (like our Denver Art Museum Clayground project.) With poles and vines cut on Arboretum grounds we did a reciprocal roof
The intention of our project was to give families and children the opportunity to get their hands (and feet) in the dirt and have the experience of building something simple. So over a three-week period we absorbed exuberant kids of all ages into our workforce. They helped fill and tamp bags into shape, mix, sculpt and plaster.
Every aspect of our program was extremely well coordinated by the Arboretum. It is a most impressive organization in all respects, and is definitely worthy of a visit!
See the Dirt-O-Rama Arboretum program and our Clayhouse project.
Read our Canelo Chronicles blog post:
Dirt-O-Rama, Intriguing Tales Beneath Our Feet
