Art in the Park, Banana Stamping in Saipan

By: Nataline Kaneshi, AMME Education Coordinator

American Memorial Park partnered wonderful patterns from the different with the Commonwealth of the layers of the tree – Banana Painting was Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) born. Since then, he decided to put all his Carolinian Affairs Office to kick-off the paintbrushes away and has used banana annual Art in the Park program with trees since then. Over the years, he was able Banana Painting. This fun and exciting to master the technique of Banana Painting session brought in over 30 participants and shared his love of art with many with several hardworking volunteers throughout the island. Today, his legacy who supported the program. Ms. Dellina lives on and the technique he created is still Lieto from the Carolinian Affairs Office shared throughout the community. introduced the art of Banana Painting and how it was created by the late Douglas Banana Painting, or others may say Rankin. Douglas Rankin first got the “stamping,” is an art project both children idea while cleaning up fallen banana trees and adults can enjoy. During the session, around his house after a storm. When Ms. Del cut up some banana stock and cutting into the banana tree he saw the was able to show everyone how to create beautiful images, such as flowers, palm trees, a crab and even a turtle. The Art in the Park program allows the community to make connections with their park through art. Every year local artists are selected to share their art with the community by leading an art session inspired by the park.

More art sessions to check out this year are Tangan Tangan Art with Mercilynn Palec, Wood Painting with Meena Benavente and Taps: A Sunset at Sea with Elizabeth Turnball. All are invited to American Memorial Park to participate in these fun art sessions that bring different aspects of the park to life.