Jamie Winter Dawson , CLA 2008
East Saint Paul Gateway Rain Garden Project
Major
Art
Mentor
Christine Baeumler, Art
Brief Bio
I am a former biology student who fell in love with painting and decided to switch gears a bit. Now, instead of examining life through a microscope, I examine it through a paint brush. I live in a very inspiring neighborhood in Minneapolis with my husband and our two cats and I enjoy coaxing things to grow.
Future Plans
I plan to apply for the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in the fall to further study socially engaged painting, and community-based, collaborative art. I want to incorporate these ideas into a high school art curriculum by pursuing a Masters Degree in Education upon completion of my undergraduate studies. In addition to teaching high school students, I look forward to continuing my personal art practice.
Why Research?
I wanted an opportunity to learn from a professor who shares my interest in merging the fields of art and ecology.
What Did I Get from Research?
I expect to become more knowledgeable in the areas of community-based art, and ecologically sustainable gardening by working with students and professionals who find these things important.
How Did I Start?
I started working on the rain garden in Professor Baeumler’s Art and Social Engagement class (ARTS 5490). Professor Baeumler received a grant from the U of M’s Office of Public Engagement to build the rain garden. I wanted to continue working on the rain garden after the semester was over, and the UROP is a great opportunity that’s allowing me to do that.
My Advice for Another Student:
The application process can be intimidating. Just start writing the proposal without worrying about grammar, flow, etc. Once you start writing about a project you’re excited to pursue, the intimidation usually dissipates. Read your proposal out loud several times, making corrections along the way. Finally, take it to the U of M’s writing center, a professor, or friend
that’s an English major for the final polishing/editing. Jumping in is the hardest part, but the experience is well worth it.
Research Summary
The project site is located at the entrance to Swede Hollow Park and the Bruce Vento Regional bicycle trail in St. Paul where nonpoint source pollution from the parking lot entrance runs down the Phalen Creek sub-watershed and enters the Mississippi River near by it. The term “nonpoint source pollution” refers to a variety of pollutants that are picked up by water washing over the land. Rain can pick up oil, sediments, and other toxic material that are specific to urban areas. This polluted runoff then flows into major drainage basins (also known as watersheds) via sub-watersheds or storm drain collection systems. Nonpoint source pollution can kill native wildlife, promote harmful weed growth, and contaminate local drinking water. Rain gardens use an infiltration technique to reduce storm water pollutants. The water is captured in the garden, allowing it to gradually filter into the ground instead of continuing into the watershed. The rain garden is an ecological solution as well as an aesthetic one. I am working with fellow students from Christine Baeumler’s class, Art and Social Engagement (ARTS 5490), the St. Paul Parks and Recreation Board, The Community Design Center, the East Side Conservation Youth Corps, and community members from the Lower Phalen Creek Project in East St. Paul. My job is to collaborate in the planning, designing, and implementation of the rain garden. We are choosing native plants, utilizing design techniques, and making a large, commemorative art piece as a way to beautify the site and re-engage the neighborhood with the area. As an artist, it is my desire to help close the gap between art and life. This can be done by partnerships between artists and community members who have a common interest in addressing a local urban issue. By directly involving the audience in the process of the art-making, art becomes more accessible and familiar to a much broader range of individuals.