May 21-November 1, 2009: Also see Garden Symposium Aug 2009
The North Carolina Arboretum celebrates the art and science of birds with “H. Douglas Pratt and John C. Sill's BIRDS: The Science of Illustration,” a new exhibit opening May 21, 2009 at The Baker Exhibit Center.
In conjunction with the Arboretum’s celebration as an official part of the NC Birding Trail Guide, the exhibit explores how art and science work together in Pratt and Sill’s artistic illustrations of birds.
Pratt is an ornithologist, artist, and photographer as well as Research Curator of Birds at the NC State Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. As a widely respected zoological illustrator, author and illustrator, Pratt has contributed to publications such as National Geographic Society's Field Guide to the Birds of North America and the multi-volume Handbook of Birds of the World.
Sill has worked as a freelance artist and illustrator since 1971 and has been exhibited in highly acclaimed shows and appeared in a number of books and magazines. He has been the illustrator for the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Bird Identification Calendar since the project began in 1980 and he is an instructor for the Institute for Field Ornithology sponsored by the American Birding Association.
Read about the Western North Carolina Birding Trail Kick-off at NC Arboretum in Asheville.
Additional exhibit features include:
• A bird nest collection, containing nests and egg replicas of local songbirds.
• An interactive bird song display to test and instruct visitors on recognizing songbirds by vocalizations.
• A habitat match-up interactive mural designed to teach concepts of animal needs and the distinct habitats of local birds in habitats that occur in WNC.
• An illustration table with sketch paper, pencils, erasers and colored pencils.
Discovery Packs containing binoculars for children to check out birds in the gardens are also available for families to enhance their exploration.
“H. Douglas Pratt and John C. Sill's BIRDS: The Science of Illustration” runs through November 1 and is free for members or with parking admission ($6 per personal vehicle).
June 18-August 2: Rustic Birdhouses Too!
Southern Appalachian artist Walt Cottingham brings new meaning to the form of birdhouses with his new exhibit at The North Carolina Arboretum. “Rustic Birdhouses,” a unique display of select works from Cottingham’s collection, will be on display June 18 through August 2 at the Arboretum’s Education Center.
“Though birdhouses are generally not considered art as much as craft,” Cottingham says, “these pieces serve as wooden sculptures that will actually function as designed for specific birds.”
Cottingham uses natural materials, such as mountain laurel, hollow logs, and stumps, as well as recycled material from old buildings and sawmills, to create interesting pieces of rustic beauty and functionality.
“I build birdhouses of varying shapes and sizes, most of which are functional, some of which have stands that are created for their sculptural qualities,” he says. “The stands are made from twisted natural pieces of wood, which are basically woven together and fastened with pegs to create flowing vertical forms to support the birdhouses. Each one is uniquely coordinated for the piece it supports.”
In addition to functional birdhouses, Cottingham also makes ornamental birdhouses on stands for interior display. The principles of construction are the same as the functional houses, yet on a smaller scale. He also makes birdhouse Christmas ornaments from several types of wood with split shingle roofs and a variety of ornamentation, including birds, bells, and lights.
For more information, see our NC Arboretum Guide.
