Palmer Trinity School

Campus News |Arts | |Environment| Digital Filmaking Eco Art Inspires Students World-Renowned Miami artist Xavier Cortada launched the Reclamation Project at Palmer Trinity School on December 2009. He dedicated a permanent installation of mangrove seedlings at PTS. His eco-art installation is an effort aimed at reforesting mangroves and providing students with a better appreciation of nature. Raul Gonzalez and Lisa Krstajic '10 The digital filmmaking class is a new elective provided to the students by Palmer Trinity School. This rigorous course not only teaches students how to write, produce film and edit their own creations, but also instills discipline in them. Students are taught the value of organizing themselves in order to meet deadlines, work well with others and to accept and listen to each other's creative ideas. This fun academic course gives students the opportunity to express themselves through motion pictures. Grades in the class are based on the creative projects presented by the students and the constructive criticism that the students give one another. When presenting the projects and sitting on the "hot seat" the students have a chance to learn and understand how they could improve their work for the next time. At the end of the year, a film festival is held allowing the students to present all of their work to parents, teachers, and even some representatives of the film industry. "The PTS Film festival was simply incredible! I was able to present my work and receive very helpful constructive criticism from an outside source," says one of the graduating seniors. For those students who have already had a little experience in film or want to take the elective a second time, the advanced digital filmmaking class is available. In this class students can use all of their skills to produce different projects such as documentaries and feature films. Cortada addressed the entire school and talked about the need to generate awareness about global climate change and habitat destruction. He encouraged each member of the community to take action. The student and faculty involvement was outstanding. After convocation, students and faculty met with Xavier Cortada and participated in a ceremonial dedication. Each participant took a mangrove propagule and placed it in a plastic water-filled cup, stating "I hereby reclaim this land for nature." The mangrove propagules will be nurtured into seedlings and eventually planted along coastal areas. "I am honored to bring The Reclamation Project to Palmer Trinity School" said Xavier Cortada. "Through time, this permanent installation will invite every class of students to engage their community not just in growing mangrove reforestation, but also in helping change the way participants see themselves in relationship to the natural world." Xavier Cortada has created art installations at the Earth's poles to generate awareness about global climate change and has developed participatory art projects to engage communities in local action at points in between. Cortada launched the Reclamation Project in 2006 to remind Miami Beach residents and visitors of the island's origins as a mangrove forest. Annually, volunteers plant the seedlings on Biscayne Bay. The Palmer Trinity community is honored to be part of this effort. –Leo Llinas, Science Department Students interested in studying this art form in college will benefit from these classes which provide a foundation on which to grow a basic/intermediate understanding of the world of film. Through hard work, passion and good times, the students not only meet new people and make better friends but also get their creative juices flowing! – Lisa Krstajic, '10 Trae Kerdyk '10, Sean Murphy (Head of School), Xavier Cortada (artist), Zach Schwartz '10 at Reclamation Project installation Bird's Eye View 5

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