Conservancy Times
I
Graphic design class
makes signs for
NatureWorks
BY BROOKE GEBOW
Curious tourists, plant lovers,
hikers and wedding couples aren't
the only people who find their
way to the Wrigley Memorial &
Botanic Garden.
This fall, the Catalina Island
Conservancy turned Anita
Rockwell's Avalon High School
graphic design class loose with
chalkboard signs and paint in the
historic garden. "The first thing
we did was learn about the plants,"
said Jose Reyes, a senior at the
high school.
Under the NatureWorks pro-
gram, the joint environmen-
tal education program of the
Conservancy and Avalon Schools,
nature-themed lessons, like this
one, are finding their way into all
parts of the curriculum.
"I asked students to use layout,
color, illustration and calligraphy
skills to provide more informa-
tion for garden visitors," Rockwell
said.
An important component of
NatureWorks is workforce devel-
opment, so the Conservancy pro-
vided the class with specifications
and a schedule for the job.
Students first drafted designs
for review.
Jerod Long, a junior at the
...... high school, described how he
and classmate Sabrina Sanchez,
a senior, met with Conservancy
staff and "took detailed notes on
the improvements that needed to
be made on the signs."
Joanna Chavoya, a senior, said:
"We helped each other and soon
finished our boards."
Rockwell said: "This proj-
ect reinforced classroom lessons
about design and what it means to
be a graphic designer -- it made
their learning real."
The "client" and "design
firm"--the Conservancy--
enjoyed the official installation at
the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic
Garden on Nov. 20.
"We were requested to make
bold, eye-catching signs in a
specific amount of time, and we
delivered," said Lana Brown, a
junior at the high school.
Lively chalkboard creations in
two sizes point out plants found
only on Catalina Island.
"They asked us for bold and
bright colors," said Gabriela
Hernandez, a senior.
The class's signs help ensure
visitors can learn about Island
Cherry, the beautiful endemic suc-
culent Catalina Liveforever and
the giant St. Catherine's Lace.
Vicente Osgeueda, a junior,
explained that the students added
"some facts and some artwork to
attract the attention of the tourists
that visit the garden."
Designs show, for example, that
Santa Catalina Manzanita berries
and Island Cherries are favorite
foods of the Catalina Island fox.
The signs encourage garden
visitors to touch and smell aromat-
ic black, white and pitcher sages.
The students' signs also explain
Conservancy Times, Page 10
Mrs. Rockwell and proud designers (L to R) Jose Reyes, Alex Ramirez, Ossi Rios, Misael
Gomez, Sebastian Gallegos, Cristian Martinez, Jerod Long, Jalen Flynn, Melissa Soto, Channing
Barrios, Alondra Martinez, Joanna Chavoya, Sabrina Sanchez, Lana Brown and Gabriela
Hernandez. (Photo by Alexa Johnson)
Final touchup and placement of the signs by Alex
Joanna Chavoya. Photo by Alexa Johnson.
MARITIME jINSTITLY£E
...... Become a L!censed Captain-
Annual Catahna Island
Course
January 19 - 30, 2015
¢ Become Qualified to Take Passengers for Hire
¢ Improve Your Navigation and Safety Skills
¢ Enjoy Spectacular Catalina While You Learn
¢ U.S. Coast Guard Approved Curriculum
... Serving Mariners on Catalina Island Since 2001!
Call Today 888-262-8020
www.MaritimeInstitute.com
!
O
Strawberries •
• 20 Flavors of Salt Water Taffy • 220 :
Guava Cheese Danish. Jalapeno
Biroche • Ginger Green Tea Muffin. Lemon Cranberry Muffin '- Cherry Turnover
Ramirez, Channing Barrios, Ossi Rios and
THE cATALINA ISLANDER ...............................................
..................... I~ridayl December 26, 20i4ig
i
