Vail Nature Center offers Art in Nature program

The Vail Nature Center continues to delight artists and naturalists alike with this summer's Art in Nature program.

The Vail Nature Center, which is operated by the Vail Recreation District (VRD), first launched the program a year ago and is collaborating with the Art Center in Gypsum and Town of Vail's Art in Public Places program.

The class lineup includes popular favorites from last summer, as well as new workshops, all geared toward engaging artists in the natural world while helping nature enthusiasts express themselves creatively.

Some of the workshops culminate in a group project as part of Vail's Art in Public Places. With youth programs available every Friday and adult programs offered on Mondays, the workshops take place outside the Nature Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $35 per class, including materials and family discounts are available. More information is available at www.vailrec.com.

"The Vail Nature Center is proud to partner with the Art Center, Art in Public Places, and so many talented artists to present these exceptional courses," says Tom Gaylord, the Nature Center director. "The Vail Nature Center is a perfect backdrop for nature-oriented art."

Upcoming workshops include:

July 12 (Adult): Kinetic Art - Students are guided through the process of design and construction of wind-inspired kinetic sculptures.

July 16 (Youth): Candle Making - Young artists make and decorate their own beeswax candles. Batik & Prayer Flags - Students create with fabric, learning the ancient Indonesian Batik method of decorating material and traditional and the art of prayer flags.

July 19 (Family): Art In Nature the Andy Goldsworthy Way - All ages work together to emulate artist Andy Goldsworthy by creating site-specific art pieces using found natural objects. Participants will also be able to capture a personal project on photo-sensitive paper.

July 23 (Youth): Kinetics -With materials provided, artists express the interaction between wind and sculpture. Kite Building - Students can enjoy the art class even after it's over - every time they fly the kite they built.

July 26 (Adult): Labyrinths - After instruction in labyrinth designs and models, students will build a community labyrinth to contribute to Vail's Art in Public Places.

July 30 (Youth): Boat making - Students gather leaves, sticks, moss, and pine cones to create your floatable boats. Wet on Wet Water Color - With watercolors, participants tell stories on paper and create beautiful cards.
Giant Bubbles and Wands - Play with bubbles, creating tunnels and culverts.

August 2: Nature in Water Color with Patrick Espy - Beginning and advanced artists set up palettes, discuss tools and materials, learn the basic washes and brush strokes with the instruction of talented local artist Patrick Espy.

August 9 (Adult): Habitat for Blue Birds - Students build and decorate birdhouses that can add beauty to their own yard or be donated to the Nature Center to support its developing bird habitat.

August 16 (Adult): Mandalas in Nature - Students immerse themselves in the natural world to discover and appreciate its patterns, then create individual and community Mandalas with materials and motifs from nature.

The Art in Nature program is made possible through a collaboration with The Art Center, Town of Vail Art in Public Places and the Vail Nature Center. The VRD is an equal opportunity service provider and operates under special permission from the White River National Forest.

Programs and activities are subject to change. To volunteer, or for program rates and information, call 479-2291 or go to www.vailrec.com.