Infosession | Southern Africa – Art & Science of Conservation

This immersive RISD Global Summer Studies course based on the island of Hawai’i is designed
for artists and designers who are interested in exploring and documenting the island’s unique
biodiversity, biogeography, and ecology. In the process, you will observe firsthand the forces
(such as climate change, deforestation, invasive species, and pollution) that have driven many
species to extinction and created opportunities for others to thrive. You will also learn about
the historical and current connections between art, conservation, and local and Indigenous
environmental practices, including the Hawaiian concept of “kilo” or mindful observation of
nature. The course is led by Senior Lecturer/SCI Dr. Lucy Spelman with teaching assistance from
MFA Graphic Design student Roye Zhang, who took a winter session version of this course in
2022. The group will be housed in traveler’s lodge style accommodation in Hilo with meals and
transportation provided. Daily activities will include topical presentations, walks-in-nature, and
art-making. The group will visit a variety of unique natural areas representing a range of
altitudes and ecosystems, including coral reefs, cloud forests, dry forests, lava fields, tropical
forests, and volcanoes. These destinations will include national wildlife refuges (Hakalau
National Wildlife Refuge); nature trails (Hualalai Volcano, Kaulana Manu Nature Trail, Makuala
O’ma Trail); national parks (Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, Hawai’i [Kīlauea] Volcanoes
National Park); cultural heritage sites (Hamakua Heritage Corridor); native plant gardens
(Kohanaiki Native Plant Garden and Cultural Learning Center, Amy B.H.Greenwell
Ethnobotanical Garden); land conservation initiatives (Waikoloa Dryland Forest Initiative); and,
two volcanic mountains (Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa.)