Grades: 3–12
Best Format: One workshop / single visit
Focus: Nature-based art, ephemeral art, environmental awareness, and creative exploration
About Mahina
Mahina Hawley transforms the natural landscape into a vibrant, ever-changing art studio. Based in Port Angeles, Washington, she earned a degree in Studio Arts from the University of New Mexico in 2010 and has spent years integrating art into outdoor education.
Her work uses leaves, rocks, sticks, cones, flowers, shells, water, and other natural materials to create ephemeral pieces that change with the seasons, drawing inspiration from the colors, textures, and cycles of the natural world. Conversant in Spanish, Mahina can also integrate language learning into her sessions.
Her teaching blends hands-on creativity with environmental awareness, encouraging students to see themselves as part of the landscapes they inhabit.
What Students Can Explore: Mahina’s workshops invite students to explore the natural world through hands-on art making, curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Students can build creative confidence, create original work, collaborate more effectively, reflect on their learning process, and complete larger projects.
Students get the most from Mahina’s teaching when: “I have the time to engage them in thoughtful dialogue prior to creating our art together.”
In Mahina’s classroom, students: “Engage in curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.”
Mahina focuses on helping students: “Learn new things and skills with hands-on experience.”
Students leave with: “Excitement, curiosity and wonder.”
Teaching Experience
General education classrooms and outdoor learning environments.
Learner Needs Mahina Can Adapt For
Students with communication differences.
Best Learning Environments
Traditional classrooms, art rooms, outdoor spaces, and flexible or open spaces.
Helpful Information + Teacher Support
Student age and grade level, class size, teacher learning goals or curriculum connections, information about student interests and prior experience, and information about the space, materials, or technology available.
Contact + Artist Information
Email: mahinahawley@gmail.com
Phone: 505-331-3000
Instagram: @mahinahawley
