What is 'Last Chance to Paint' all about?
We all know that our planet is in trouble. Species are becoming extinct, the coral is dying, the oceans are full of plastic and the forests (the lungs of the planet) are being destroyed – so what can we do about it? We can give up using our plastic straws and, perhaps use a reusable coffee cup instead of accepting a disposable one; but, will that make enough of a difference? John and David believe that the solution will rely on the next generation – their children and (hopefully, one day) their grandchildren. For the children of the world to solve the crisis, they need to understand what is going on – not just at a conceptual level but at a deep and personal level that may encourage the future CEOs and business leaders to think carefully about the decisions they will make. John’s art is inspiring and uplifting. David’s research points to helping students make real and lasting connections with their knowledge. Modern technology and digital tools enable students from all over the planet to travel with David and John to make these essential connections with the ecosystems that are being lost. Please join us by getting involved – both personally and by encouraging your children and your schools to find out about what may be their ‘Last Chance’ to paint, discover, learn and personally connect with some of the world’s most amazing, endangered and important environments.Who are John and David and why do they make a great team?
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Artist in residence for the Eden Project.
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David Ashe is a technologist and educator. Trained as a Mathematics teacher, David has taught at Primary, Secondary, FE and University levels. After working with a number of technology companies, including Apple Computer, he returned to University to write a PhD which investigated the ways individuals learn and how personal connections can enable deeper understanding. David describes himself as a ‘Learning Scientist’; that is, someone who is constantly learning and someone who continues to research how people learn.David will be presenting his latest research paper at The International Conference of the Learning Sciences in June 2018.
Further details about David can be found at: Dr David Ashe – Research Fellow
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David and John have known each other for over 20 years. Their friendship brings with it a connection of the worlds of science and art.
They have embarked on a number of ‘adventures’ over the years which have included visiting remote places such as the jungle of Costa Rica where they did battle with flora and fauna which, they assumed, was ‘out to get them’. John and David share a common concern about the planet. While both families try to tread lightly and to live in a reasonably sustainable way, they both feel they need to do more. ‘Last Chance to Paint’ brings together their very unique skills. John refers to it as his last chance to paint – and in a very real way this is true – today, the white rhino is about to become extinct, others will follow. David talks about the project being the last chance to experience, to study, to interact and to discover; through John’s art, he hopes to enable people (especially school children), wherever they are, to make personal and deep connections with our fragile ecosystems.
Register your interest with us
Would you like your class or child to be able to ask questions, get involved, create art and make life long connections to the natural world? If so please email us now so that we can let you know when the first project goes live. Join John Dyer’s next painting adventure using the power of technology. Inspire the next generation.Join us on our journey of discovery Scroll down to see some of the areas that could provide inspiration for 'Last Chance to Paint'.
1. Sea Ice - Arctic and Antarctic
The thawing sea ice puts pressure on walruses, polar bears and penguins.
2. Orangutans
Loss of habitat and changing weather patterns in Borneo are causing problems.
3. Amazon Rainforest
The rainforest and tribal people are under pressure.
4. Coral Reefs
Across the world, coral reefs (‘the rainforests of the sea’) are dying.
5. Butterflies, Bees and Crops
Climate change and habitat destruction puts pressure on pollinators and food crops,
6. People of La Paz, Maldives, Kiribati
Water shortages from retreating glaciers in Bolivia; island nations suffer from sea level rise.
7. Sea Turtles
Rising sea levels and temperature is putting turtles under threat.
8. Pangolins
Loss of habitat and poaching is pushing the only scaled mammel to extinction.
9. African ecosystems
Plants and animals are struggling; glaciers are retreating on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
10. Galapagos Islands ecosystem
Water currents could be interrupted, damaging biodiversity.
11. Madagascar
Cyclones, powered by climate change, are damaging ecosystems and people.
12. Red Pandas
As the climate changes, red pandas have to adapt and are now vulnerable.
We want you to come with us Join David and John as they travel, ask them questions and experience the adventuresGet in touch to find out how you can be part of 'Last Chance to Paint' The first three 'Last Chance to Paint' projects are...
Borneo
The orangutans
Africa
Northern white rhino
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Yawanawá tribe
Last Chance to Paint - Blog
Let’s equip the next generation with the tools and motivation they need
I have known John for about 20 years and during that time I have had the good fortune to be involved in a number of his ‘projects’. I’ve climbed rock faces and flown in helicopters with him, and we have shared a hut in the jungle. Browsing through John’s work gives an impression of the […]
Last chance to paint
I remember clearly a lesson in school, when I was only 11 years old, about a strange scientific theory that was called the ‘greenhouse effect’. It intrigued me, as I had been in my grandpa’s greenhouse and it was seriously hot, in fact stifling. It worried me that the conditions there would be adding to […]