PORT ANGELES — Walk along the woodchip pathway leading from Dry Creek Elementary School to its three-year-old garden, and you’ll be greeted with a brand new wood entrance featuring four dragons and a welcome sign in both English and Klallam.
The archway and sign, installed in the garden Thursday afternoon, were produced by local artists Michael Clemens and Irene Peters.
The Dry Creek community garden and other local elementary school gardens are utilized for educational opportunities and to grow produce. The gardens also feature in the Port Angeles Fine Art Center’s Creative Start Program, which provides arts, science and garden integrated learning for students in kindergarten to third grade.
That program is in its fourth year of existence. Traditionally, the culmination of the program is a three-week exhibit displaying the artwork that students create. This year, however, the art center brought artist Jennifer Angus’s insect exhibit to town.
This left extra funds that were used to commission permanent art exhibits — one at Dry Creek Elementary and one at Franklin Elementary — according to Port Angeles Fine Arts Center Executive Director Christine Loewe. Franklin Elementary will feature an interpretive sign, designed by Peters, welcoming students to the school’s native and traditional plants.
The Dry Creek wood arch, created by Clemens, features four dragon heads extending from both sides. The metal sign, created by Peters, features a painting of mother earth with hair composed of animals.
Dry Creek Elementary teacher Anthony Seidl, who oversees the school garden program, was also a key player in the creation and installation of the art.
These installations are part of the larger picture of school gardens in general, Loewe said. Currently there are gardens at the Port Angeles High School and Franklin, Dry Creek and Jefferson Elementary schools. A new garden is in the works at Roosevelt Elementary.
Each of the gardens are maintained by teachers, schoolchildren, volunteers and help from the Clallam WSU extension office.
“It takes community agency, and community support, to keep things thriving,” Loewe added.
The Creative Start Program will end with a Student Garden Gala and Fundraiser from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. All are welcome to attend.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
