The LA Kids – Art For The 2014 Global March For Elephants-Rhinos-Lions

The LA Kids – Art For The 2014 Global March For Elephants-Rhinos-Lions

The LA Kids – Art For The 2014 Global March For Elephants-Rhinos-Lions. We all remember the amazing art done by The Lion Kids for The Global March For Lions in March of 2014. We marched in 62 cities around he world and the kids helped to tell people why it is wrong to kill canned lions. Their pictures were colourful, hopeful, creative, beautiful and inspiring.

Well kids have done it again. This time in Los Angeles. The LA Kids have created amazing posters to be used in the Los Angeles March on October 4, 2014. This time we will march in 124 cities around the world – to highlight endangered animals and to bring attention to the very real possibility of the extinction of the most world’s most iconic species. We cannot allow this to happen.

 My friend Janet Ehrlich from LA was instrumental in organizing this wonderful project at The Children’s Art Institute. I’ll let her tell you how it came about – with help from Larry Ashton and The Kids!

Janet Ehrlich

Guest Writer

I teach a writing and drumming class in LA and a colleague of mine teaches art. We chatted about the upcoming march and it was decided that he would do an art project for animals with his students. The posters will be used for the World Animal Day Global March on October 4, 2014 – to bring awareness to the poaching crisis of endangered elephants – rhinos and lions.

All the children made their own poster and their teacher – Larry – encouraged the kids to all collaborate on the big posters. I got free Cardboard from CostCo for the backing. So all the posters are made out of paper that was painted on and then cut out into the shapes of the animals.

All the lettering was cut out of construction paper and glued on. My colleague is Larry Ashton and his classes are mixed ages – from 5 to 10 years old.

When I asked Larry to do the class – I suggested he use it as a teaching opportunity – to educate the kids about the animals and what extinction means. I gave Larry lots of art and lots of animal sillohuettes to work from. Then each little artist made his or her own poster that they could take home. They all collaborated on making the 6 big ones for the march.

Everyone at the school knew what the kids were doing. I had discussed the idea with the school before I asked Larry to participate. In the end – Larry thanked me for asking him to do the project. He thought it was a great learning experience for the kids – and for himself.

What is really cool is that one of the kids who had a hand in making a few of these posters was also in my writing class and he’s a totally awesome kid who is going to be the Rhino Ambassador at the LA March.

He’ll be educating people about what’s going on with rhinos and how to save them. It was so rewarding for me to connect with a kid like this. His name is Mac.

His dad is a rabbi and even though the march is on the holiest day of the year for Jewish people – Yom Kippur – Mac’s Mom is bringing Mac and his younger brother Mo – who is 5 years old – to the march! Mac’s Dad – said that on the day of the march that “people will be praying with our feet” – what a beautiful sentiment.

What an amazing experience and what incredible kids. Thank you to Larry for his invaluable participation.

Janet Ehrlich

LA – September 2014