How a free community art program in Subachoque is inspiring children to connect with nature, creativity, and environmental stewardship.
Every child sees the world differently.
Some express it through words. Others through music. And some, with nothing more than a sheet of paper, a few brushes, and their imagination, create works of art that remind us why protecting nature begins with education.
At Little Explorer, Big World, we recently had the privilege of receiving an inspiring collection of frog illustrations created by children and teenagers from Subachoque, a picturesque municipality in the department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. The artwork was produced by students attending the Instituto de Cultura, Deporte y Turismo de Subachoque, under the guidance of their teacher, Ruth Martínez.
Art Beyond the Classroom
Every morning, the children of Subachoque attend their regular schools. In the afternoons, many choose to continue learning through free cultural and sports programs offered by the local Institute.
Among these programs is a beginner drawing and painting workshop, where students between 7 and 14 years old gather for two hours each week to explore creativity through art.
For this project, their challenge was both artistic and educational:
Draw frogs.
The results were extraordinary.
Celebrating Colombia’s Incredible Amphibians
Colombia is recognized as one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth and is home to more frog species than any other nation. Frogs play a vital role in healthy ecosystems, acting as indicators of environmental health while helping maintain the balance of forests, wetlands, and streams.
Through this artistic exercise, students were encouraged not only to improve their drawing and painting skills but also to observe nature more closely and appreciate one of Colombia’s most remarkable groups of animals.
Each illustration reflects a different personality and artistic style.
Some frogs appear vibrant and playful, while others are highly detailed or imaginative. Several students even incorporated poems, stories, and colorful natural settings into their work, demonstrating that environmental education can inspire creativity far beyond science alone.
Creativity as a Tool for Conservation
One of the central ideas behind Little Explorer, Big World is that conservation begins with connection.
Children are far more likely to protect what they know, understand, and love.
Art creates that connection.
By inviting young people to paint wildlife, educators encourage careful observation, curiosity, and empathy for the natural world. A simple drawing can become the first step toward a lifelong appreciation for biodiversity.
These frog paintings are much more than classroom assignments—they are expressions of wonder, imagination, and environmental awareness.
Congratulations to Every Young Artist
We are incredibly grateful to Professor Ruth Martínez and the Instituto de Cultura, Deporte y Turismo de Subachoque for sharing this beautiful collection with us.
Congratulations to every student whose artwork appears in this project, including:
- Juana Ortiz
- Juan Daniel Vargas
- Valentina Guacaneme
- Salomé Torres
- Laura Sofía Guacaneme
- Isabel Torres
- Nicol Herrera
- Luis Gabriel Camacho
- Sara Valencia
- Daniel Báez
- Cristóbal Forero
- Jaider Laiton Rodríguez
- Matías Rocha
Their creativity reminds us that every child has the ability to inspire others through art.
Why Projects Like This Matter
At Little Explorer, Big World, we believe that education extends far beyond books.
When reading, storytelling, science, and creativity come together, children begin to see themselves as explorers, artists, and future guardians of the planet.
Whether through bilingual books, environmental education, or artistic expression, every activity helps nurture curiosity and build a deeper connection with our world.
These remarkable frog illustrations from Subachoque are a wonderful example of how local educators can spark global thinking—one drawing at a time.
To every young artist who participated, thank you for reminding us that imagination is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting nature.
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