Material Walk – Natural & Found Materials Artmaking Task

This one-page Material Walk Artmaking Task invites students to explore their school grounds or local community while collecting natural and found materials that could be used as part of their artistic practice.

The resource provides a simple checklist to guide students before, during and after the walk, encouraging purposeful collection, observation and reflection. Students consider the materials they encounter and how they might be transformed into artworks.

The task also encourages students to think critically about cultural respect and sustainability, prompting them to consider:

• Collecting materials respectfully on Aboriginal land.
• Sustainability in artmaking.

What's Included:

• 1-page student checklist
• Before-the-walk preparation checklist
• During-the-walk collection checklist
• After-the-walk reflection prompts
• Guidance for collecting natural and found materials responsibly
• Reflection on Aboriginal land, cultural respect and sustainability
• Encourages students to consider the environmental impact of their material choices
• Student-friendly, print-ready format

Perfect for: natural materials artmaking, mixed-media projects, sustainability-focused Visual Arts units, or introducing students to environmentally conscious artistic practice.

This resource encourages students to look closely at their environment, collect thoughtfully and create responsibly, while developing an understanding of the importance of respecting Country, cultural protocols and the natural world.