A Curriculum Enhancement for High School Fine Arts and Engineering Students
The Umbrella Project
Project Themes
Nature is Beautitul
My Favorite Place, Favorite Spaces
Peacemaking and Bridge Building~Uniting us a people
Technology~Bringing people together
Favorite Pastime
Exhibitions
Lake Erie College Gallery Open House
February 6, 2023 thru February 19, 2023
Great Lakes Mall
March 16, 2023-April 16, 2023
Upcoming
Singing in the Rain
Great Lakes Mall
April 29, 2023
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
LEAF is the first organization in Ohio to adopt
The Umbrella Project
The Umbrella Project is a nonprofit, global children’s art initiative. Its mission is to teach students that they can make a difference in their world through art and engineering. By using a recent, relevant and impactful theme that influences others and inspires creativity, art students paint on white umbrellas with non-toxic waterproof fabric pigment markers, sharing their artistic images with the community. Engineering students draft and create umbrella display prototypes that safely enhance the umbrellas design. Together, the artistic creation impacts community engagement. Students gain self-esteem by knowing that the money raised with their one-of-a-kind artistic creations will fund a non-profit helping local students and families in their post-secondary journey.
On Display Now
Featured Work
Wake Up
Artist Sophie
Aurora High School
I AM WOMAN
Artist Pauline
Madison High School
One Beautiful Planet
with ALL its Beautiful People
Artist Isabella
Riverside High School
Coming Up
Upcoming Exhibitions
Lake Erie Gallery Open House
at Royce Hall for the Fine & Performing Arts
Sunday, February 19, 2023
1 pm to 3 pm
Great Lakes Mall
March 16, 2023-April 16, 2023
Umbrella Project Fine Arts
Umbrella Engineering
on Display
Singing in the Rain
April 29, 2023
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Announcement of the LEAF Umbrella Project Fine Arts and Engineering Scholarship Winners
Opportunity to BID on ANY of the TOP25 Student-Designed Umbrellas
Umbrella Project
Engineering
March 24, 2023~April 24, 2023
In 2016, LEAF proposed to display student created umbrella artwork in a public venue for students, their parents and the general public to enjoy and appreciate. At that time, the Great Lakes Mall became a partner in The Umbrella Project. This was the perfect venue, but needed a method or equipment to be designed to hang umbrellas from the mall rafters. A problem needed a solution.
This problem became the perfect project for high school engineering students to solve. They evaluate criteria and constraints, brainstorm and sketch options, design a prototype within a prescribed budget, build and test the prototype, pass a safety inspection and implement their design with maintenance employees at the Great Lakes Mall. This is a real-life problem based engineering project where students design the solution.
Scholarship Opportunities
LEAF Scholarships
Umbrella Fine Arts
1st Place $1,000
2nd Place $750
3rd Place $500
LEAF Scholarships
Umbrella Engineering
1st Place $1,000
2nd Place $750
3rd Place $500
Sponsor Scholarships
Lighthouse Advisers
Choice Award $500
Lake Erie College
Fine Arts Scholarship
(for future enrolled Fine Art Students)
Top 25 Umbrellas $1,000
Top 7 Umbrellas $2,000
Scholarships are awarded directly to College/University
(not to artist or engineer)