Oxbow's first project addressed the theme of Observation. The unit was team taught by art and humanities faculty pairs. In the class led by Environmental Science teacher Lenora Ditzler and Painting teacher Chris Thorson, students observed the Oxbow gardens through the lenses of artist and scientist. Students discussed the biotic and abiotic aspects within an ecosystem, studied form and function through dissection, and translated their observations through finished works in charcoal and acrylic paint. In the assignments’ final days, students developed paintings from a botanical still life.