Moran s paintings helped make Americans aware of the natural wonders of the western wilderness. This awareness helped establish Yellowstone as the first national park in 1872. One of his paintings, Hot Springs of Yellowstone , shows a rainbow forming in the mist and steam rising from a naturally heated spring. After viewing Moran's Hot Springs of Yellowstone, or other landscapes from the same period, discuss with students how pictures can communicate intimacy for places they've never seen. Students select a natural or historical location in their neighborhood or city that is at risk or that they feel needs to be preserved.
Students then draw and color pictures of the site.
They may choose to write letters to send to community leaders to encourage them to support its preservation. Students as a group can also paint a mural of the location. This is an opportunity to let students either choose an activity that they wish to complete, or to create their own activity based on Moran or another artist. All Rights Reserved . No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders.