Photo of the Day: Thriving Beans

Our beans are really starting to plump up! This summer we've been learning about food production and supply chains by growing from the ground up. We've learned A LOT about plants, growing and soon we will be able to harvest them! Photo: Tony Eetak, Niriqatiginnga Youth, Arts and Media
Our beans are really starting to plump up! This summer we've been learning about food production and supply chains by growing from the ground up. We've learned A LOT about plants, growing and soon we will be able to harvest them! Photo: Tony Eetak, Niriqatiginnga Youth, Arts and Media

Our beans are really sprouting! We’re very excited to see this progress in our summer program. We’re only growing small patches this summer, as we combine learning to grow vegetables, alongside planning and structuring our program for the year ahead. It’s been a long, patient wait to see these beans grow and everyone is looking forward to the feast that is soon to follow.

Beans, renowned for their resilience, adaptability, and nutrient density, play an indispensable role in enhancing food security in northern regions. These legumes are capable of thriving in diverse environmental conditions, including the cooler climates typical of northern territories. Their robust nature makes them an excellent crop choice for locations where traditional agriculture faces limitations due to shorter growing seasons and soil quality issues. For communities in these areas, beans can act as a reliable food source, providing essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals crucial for maintaining a balanced diet.

Exploring the intersection of nature and technology, our students are capturing high-resolution photographs of the vegetables we’re growing this summer. In this series, we compare our real-world green beans with AI-generated images to see how digital tools interpret natural beauty. By analyzing these images, students gain insights into both the artistic and technical aspects of digital media, enhancing their understanding of how technology can represent and reinterpret the world around us.
Exploring the intersection of nature and technology, our students are capturing high-resolution photographs of the vegetables we’re growing this summer. In this series, we compare our real-world green beans with AI-generated images to see how digital tools interpret natural beauty. By analyzing these images, students gain insights into both the artistic and technical aspects of digital media, enhancing their understanding of how technology can represent and reinterpret the world around us.

In addition to their nutritional benefits, beans contribute to sustainable agricultural practices that are vital for food security. They are nitrogen-fixing crops, which means they have the ability to enrich soil fertility by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This natural process reduces the dependency on chemical fertilizers, promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. Improving soil health, beans support the cultivation of subsequent crops, creating a more resilient and productive agricultural ecosystem.

Join us on a journey through our digital arts and media literacy program as we photograph the green beans flourishing in our garden. We’re juxtaposing these real-world images with AI-generated visuals to investigate how technology interprets and recreates natural elements. This hands-on project allows our students to engage with both traditional photography and digital artistry, providing a deeper appreciation for the synergy between organic and digital creations.
Join us on a journey through our digital arts and media literacy program as we photograph the green beans flourishing in our garden. We’re juxtaposing these real-world images with AI-generated visuals to investigate how technology interprets and recreates natural elements. This hands-on project allows our students to engage with both traditional photography and digital artistry, providing a deeper appreciation for the synergy between organic and digital creations.

About our summer programming

Youth, Arts and Media Team summer activities are supported with funding and support from a number of partners and collaborators, including: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Arctic Buying Company Kivalliq, the University of Minnesota Duluth, Manitoba Agriculture and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. We also acknowledge support from the OpenAI Researcher Access Program, Agri-Food and Agriculture Canada and the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Skills Program. Thank you for believing in us and supporting the Youth, Arts and Media Team.

Picture of Tony Eetak

Tony Eetak

Tony Eetak is an emerging artist, musician and culture connector from Arviat, Nunavut, now exploring the arts in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A founding member of the Art Borups Corners, Tony has a demonstrated passion for photography, music, composition, and visual arts. With over five years of experience as a dedicated volunteer, collaborator and co-funder of several arts projects, Tony has been involved in various participatory arts events through organizations like the Arviat Film Society, Global Dignity Canada, Inclusion in Northern Research, and Our People, Our Climate. His contributions earned him recognition as a National Role Model by Global Dignity Canada in 2023. His work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council and the OpenAI Researcher Access Program.

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