FEATURED PRESENTERS
Read Bios
DETAILS
Learning and nurturing nature-based arts, materials literacy and functional hand skills through craft, and cultivating things that are irreplaceably human will become more and more important in the coming years. We support becoming a high-tech, digital society that also maintains connection to the natural world and our materials to ensure traditional, heritage crafts are not lost. We accomplish this if we continue to learn and share the valuable knowledge of hand-making!
If you want to experience three days packed full of "How to incorporate these things into your community and programs," join us for the Wild Arts Learning Conference. Participants will have daily presentations, engage with hands-on learning and have time to network with fellow educators.
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Hosting 25 participants, so reserve space, soon!
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Daily Workshops & Presentations
Networking opportunities
Recorded video access
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CONFERENCE FEES
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$525 ($446.25 with Early Bird) For in-person participants
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Includes: all-conference access + free access to all video recordings + unlimited access to the Wild Arts Online Learning Library with instructional videos for one full year.
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$185 - For remote participants
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Includes: video recordings of the in-person event
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EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPEN NOW-MARCH 15th
15% OFF until March 15. Coupon Code: CONF15%
Only available for the in-person full conference pass
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NOTE: For the purpose of securing venue, speakers, materials and catering, refunds are not available after September 1st.
PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
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Brain and Nature-based Hands on Learning
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Creating Spaces for Natural Learning from a Montessori Perspective
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Materials Literacy, Nature Based Arts & Heritage Skills in an Increasingly Digital World
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Paper making, Bookbinding and Connections to Historical Record of Human Information
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Biomimicry, Place-based Learning & Nature Journaling
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Botanical Printing & Natural Dyes
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​Nature's Color Materials: Pigments, Paints, & Pigment Sticks
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Weaving the Wild with Natural Fiber Arts
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Wild Clay
DAILY SCHEDULE
-- subject to change --
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Day 1 - November 5
8:00 am - Coffee and Connection
9:00-9:45 - Brain and Nature-based Hands on Learning with Justine Lines
10:00-10:45 - Creating Spaces for Natural Learning from a Montessori Perspective with Myke Gemkow
11:00-11:45 - Materials Literacy, Nature Based Arts & Heritage Skills in a Digital World with Cina Canada
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12:00 pm - Break for Lunch
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1:15 - Paper making, Bookbinding and Connections to Historical Record of Human Information with Cina Canada
2:30 - Botanical Printing and Natural Dyes with Jen Welton
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6:15 - Break for Dinner​​
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Day 2 - November 6
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8:00 am - Coffee and Connection
8:30 - Wild Clay and How to Incorporate it into the Classroom
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12:30 pm - Break for Lunch
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1:45 - Biomimicry, Place-based Learning & Nature Journaling with Lily Urman​
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5:30 - Break for Dinner
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6:45 - Q&A Panel Discussion with Presenters
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Day 3 - November 7
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8:00 am - Coffee and Connection
9:00 - Weaving the Wild and Working with Natural Fibers with Cina Canada
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12:30 - Break for Lunch
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1:45 - Nature's Colors: Pigments, Paints & Pigment Sticks with Cina Canada
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5:30 - Break for Dinner
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6:45 - Open studio, wrap up projects and final planning assistance with presenters
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CONFERENCE ADD-ONS (registration links open Feb 1st)
Art of Herbalism
($85 for Conference Participants - $125 Regular Price)
November 8
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9:00 - Bioregionalism and Herbal Arts
10:00 - Growing an Herb Garden
11:00 - Making Herbal Products For Home, Community and/or Classroom
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12:00 - Break for Lunch
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1:15 - (cont) Making Herbal Products For Home, Community and/or Classroom
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5:15 - Q&A and Farewell
PRESENTER HIGHLIGHTS
Cina Canada is the founder and director of Wild Arts Learning. Her background is in international documentary film and media production, kids nature camps and nature-based arts education. Her current focus is developing the Wild Arts Learning Curriculum for educators and the Wild Arts Learning Center in Springfield, MO. She specializes in facilitating educators and creating spaces and opportunities for kids and adults to connect with the natural world through hands-on experiential learning.
Kyle Bird is a full-time ceramic artist based in the Springfield, Missouri area with over a decade of experience working in clay. His practice is rooted in experimentation, with a particular love for exploring glazes and pushing the boundaries of traditional and alternative firing techniques. Kyle regularly leads hands-on classes and workshops in pottery, wild clay, and raku, sharing both technical knowledge and a deep appreciation for the creative process. His teaching style encourages curiosity, exploration, and a strong connection to the material from the ground up.
Myke Gemkow is a educator with a background in establishing Montessori schools and programs with an emphasize on optimizing spaces for hands-on learning. He specializes in individualized education, trauma-informed practices, working with neuro-diverse learners, children with learning and emotional differences, and curriculum development. He and his wife Claire run their farm and the Dockley Ranch home school program in Douglas County, Missouri. The are also the founders and organizers of the Highlonesome Music festival at their ranch.
Justine Lines Justine Lines has been teaching high school biology in the Springfield Public Schools for the past 30 years. She is a strong advocate for hands-on learning, believing that engaging in creative activities enhances hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This approach fosters creativity, refines ideas, and promotes a greater enthusiasm for learning when minds and hands work together.
Currently, Justine serves as the director of Glade, the Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems, which was developed by the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society (GOAS). This weeklong camp is designed for conservation-minded teenagers in Southwest Missouri and is funded through grants and donations. Its focus is on the prairies of Neosho and Joplin. Additionally, she is a board member of both the Missouri Environmental Education Association and GOAS. Justine has a particular interest in soils and composting in Springfield, which she finds fascinating and considers to be one of the area's most precious resources.
Lily Urmann is a biomimic, educator and nature communicator. She is the creator and host of "Learning from Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast." She specializes in biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature’s forms, processes, and systems to create life-friendly designs that benefit both people and the planet. She is currently a visiting professor at Pratt Institute and runs after-school nature connection programs for the Kiva Center at Denver, CO elementary schools. Her passion lies at the intersection of biomimicry, place-based experiential education, and engaging change-agents in this exciting field.
Jen Welton comes from a marketing agency background, is the president of the Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks board, and is involved in a variety of community based initiatives. She came to nature-based arts through her personal pursuits in natural food systems, food preservation, hand crafts and other creative endeavors. Her love for and knowledge of natural dyes and botanical printing come from her personal practice and teaching others the joy of these beautiful techniques.