Kids and kites flock at Great Salt Lake

Salt Lake students brought their own high-flying additions to the Great Salt Lake's abundant bird life this week as part of a project led by an internationally renowned Tasmanian kite maker.

Robert Brasington has held workshops in kiting, design and construction all over the world. This fall he took his love for kiting and fascination with birds and custom-made a project specifically for Salt Lake students that combined learning about the lake's delicate ecosystem with kites.

Earlier in the year students at Washington Elementary, the Open Classroom and McGillis School were prepped in the many species of birds at the lake — the kinds, where they migrate from, how they feed and what they look like.

Washington and Open Classroom students visited Antelope Island and also had visits from Friends of the Great Salt Lake and a bird expert — learning the ins and outs of migration patterns, behavior and endangerment.

Brasington then brought in kites fashioned after nine common birds that make their home at the lake. The kites were true to life in color and detail right down to speckled plumage.

After seeing the kites and learning about the different birds, students were able to make their own kites with patterns designed by Brasington and provided to them by Brolly Arts.

Brolly Arts is a nonprofit arts organization aimed at providing educational opportunities with the arts.

On Thursday the students sent their kites soaring on the shores of Salt Lake among the birds they replicated.

"Salt Lake is a place that would inspire art, and through art we can increase an awareness and an appreciation for this amazing ecosystem right next to our community," said Amy Sanyer, project coordinator and Brolly Arts director. "It's very integrated — you get to learn about habitat, you get to learn about birds and you get to learn about an art form — a great way to be inspired by the place and have the place be inspired by the art."

The project, funded in part by the Utah Arts Council, allowed more than 500 kids to build, design and keep their own kite.

Principal JoAnn Price at Washington Elementary, a Title I school, said she has been clamoring to get art experiences in the school.

She said it's a whole different experience when teachers can tie in the real world to an art experience.