Artistic inspiration comes from a variety of sources, but one local art show is rooted in Mother Nature’s visual appeal.
• What: Nature Art Exhibit
• When: March 8-28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Mondays
• Where: Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center
• How much: Free
• Info: 872-0800
The Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center in Voorheesville will hold its 11th annual Nature Art Exhibit from March 8 to 28, which will showcase around 130 works of art from more than 50 artists. The exhibit focuses on artwork inspired by nature or created with natural materials and features an array of artistic styles, including painting, photography, pottery, wood, fiber and mixed media.
The exhibit is open daily, except Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there will be a free, opening-day reception Saturday, March 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. Attendees will also be able to cast a vote for the People’s Choice award and meet featured artists.
The art show started as an offhanded suggestion from an intern at the park, according to Thacher Park event coordinator Joy Scism. It has since become one of the park’s most popular events. This year, the exhibit will run three weeks, which adds a week to the event.
“People really liked it, and it seemed like things were kind of crushed with a two-week period,” Scism said.
Each year, there are more people coming out to see the exhibit and more artists submitting entries.
“It definitely gets better every year,” she said. “The thing that’s amazing about it is there are so many good artists in our area, and each year people will say, ‘Oh, I never heard of this person before.’”
Scism enjoys the variety of artwork featured at the event, with some pieces evoking a peaceful and somber feeling, while others are bright and energetic. She also gets some good inspiration for her own creative endeavors.
“It inspires me to do better artwork and maybe it will for other people, too,” she said. “All of the artwork that’s in the show is really beautiful.”
There is a selection process, with artists allowed to submit up to three pieces, and a group of judges review each piece. Scism said some of the judging is “subjective” in determining if a piece evokes a sense of nature.
“Sometimes you can have something that looks very of nature, but the meaning in it is not that,” she said.
With this year being Thacher Park’s centennial anniversary, artists were asked to submit pieces inspired by the park. Often times, she said, many entries feature scenes from the park without being asked to focus on it. The call though has led to an increased amount of artwork showcasing the park.
“Nature and art always go hand in hand and the park is just filled with beauty.”
For those looking to expand their artistic abilities, there will be four art workshops held through the month, too. There is a fee, with each workshop ranging from $25 to $50.
The first workshop on Sunday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., is “Wet on Wet Painting,” which teaches the particular style of capturing landscapes. Each student will go home with a finished piece, and no experience is necessary. This workshop is recommended for ages 16 and up.
The next workshop on Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., continues the focus on nature through combining pen and ink with watercolor to “enliven” sketches. Some drawing experience is helpful and students should bring favorite pens and a small set of watercolors, but paper is supplied.
The following day, a workshop will provide an introduction to “SoulCollage,” with card-making materials supplied. Using images, scissors, glue, and mat board, students will make their own SoulCollage cards by pasting one or more images onto a 5-by-8-inch card. Students are welcome to bring specific images to use themselves or to share with others at the workshop. The workshop will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 16, and is recommended for ages 14 and older.
The final workshop on Saturday, March 22, uses Southern longleaf pine needles to create baskets through a Native American coiling technique. There will be a brief history on the collection and preparation of materials and students should bring embroidery scissors and a towel if available.
To register for any of the classes or for more information, call 872-1237.