Join artist Rachel Mirus and let your imagination take flight with bird-inspired creative drawing.
Observing nature has inspired many artistic flights of imagination. In this class, we will look closely at feathers, one of the hallmark traits of birds, and spend time observing birds.
Along the way we will cover field sketching and easy ways to add color to drawings, working primarily in graphite, color pencil, and brush pen.
From this observational foundation we will consider how scientific or fantasy illustrators reinvent vanished animals like feathered dinosaurs or create images of mythical animals like the phoenix.
Class will culminate in project time for students to experiment with their own creative ideas. Come learn ways your appreciation of nature can fuel your imagination!
All materials provided, but participants are encouraged to bring any natural objects they wish to draw or share. You are welcome to bring any materials you prefer. Rachel also provides materials, but sometimes people have preferences and she support students using what they are comfortable with.
Bring a friend! You are welcome to enjoy your lunch here at the museum after the workshop.
Sliding scale fee • Register here or call (802) 434-2167 to pay at the door.
Minimum: 4 participants
Maximum: 15 participants
Ages 13 and up
Join artist Rachel Mirus in practicing observational drawing techniques that can quiet the mind and encourage being wholly present in nature.
In this short workshop, we’ll practice drawing techniques inside with a variety of materials for every ability level. Weather permitting, we’ll move outside for a nature walk and en plein air drawing. (If not, the museum’s bird-in-habitat exhibits are available.)
All materials provided, but participants are encouraged to bring any natural objects they wish to draw or share. You are welcome to bring any materials you prefer. Rachel also provides materials, but sometimes people have preferences and she support students using what they are comfortable with.
Bring a friend! You are welcome to enjoy your lunch here at the museum after the workshop.
Sliding scale fee
Or call (802) 434-2167 to pay at the door.
Minimum: 4 participants
Maximum: 15 participants
Ages 13 and up
Join artist Rachel Mirus in practicing observational drawing techniques that can quiet the mind and encourage being wholly present in nature.
In this short workshop, we’ll practice drawing techniques inside with a variety of materials for every ability level. Weather permitting, we’ll move outside for a nature walk and en plein air drawing. (If not, the museum’s bird-in-habitat exhibits are available.)
All materials provided, but participants are encouraged to bring any natural objects they wish to draw or share. You are welcome to bring any materials you prefer. Rachel also provides materials, but sometimes people have preferences and she support students using what they are comfortable with.
Minimum: 4 participants
Maximum: 15 participants
Ages 6 and up
Bring a friend! You are welcome to enjoy your lunch here at the museum after the workshop.
Explore your connectedness to the Vermont landscape with artist Rachel Mirus. She takes us from thinking about our relationship to Vermont nature to being inspired by the ecologically-inspired work of Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
We will make a whimsical self-portrait illustrating our unique relationships.
We’ll start with a nature walk to stimulate the imagination and move inside for art-making with a variety of materials for every ability level. You are welcome to bring any materials you prefer. Rachel also provides materials, but sometimes people have preferences and she support students using what they are comfortable with.
Minimum: 4 participants
Maximum: 15 participants
Ages 6 and up • Great for families!
Dress to be outside, then inside. You are welcome to bring and enjoy your lunch here at the museum after the workshop.
Carve and paint a Brook Trout with David Tuttle of the Green Mountain Woodcarvers. Wood blank, eyes, snacks, and coffee provided.
Saturday, February 20 at the Birds of Vermont Museum (map) • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
All levels welcome. Do bring your tools and gloves if you have them; if you don’t, let us know. Dave often brings some knives, gloves, etc. to sell. Please bring your lunch.
Great for adults and teens. Younger kids need parental permission and Cub Scouts could show their Whittling Chip.
$30 for Museum and GMWC members • $40 for everyone else
Fabulous Fall Festival Saturday, October 13 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Live birds, music, soap and wood carving, kids’ crafts, face painting, and more! $2 / Free if you are 3 and under or show your Museum or Green Mountain Woodcarver membership card
Our schedule of events (but check when you get here to be sure): 10:00 Carving Workshop : Spirit faces in bark (2 hours; $10 fee but this includes all-day admission also)
11:00 Soap Carving
11:00 Live Music by Northeast Field (terrific Celtic music)
1:00 Live Bird Talk
2:00 Soap Carving
2:15 Face Painting
3:00 Nature Note cards
3:59 Announcing Winner of the Kids Raffle
All Day / Ongoing:
Admire the Art Contest Entries and discover the Winners (Pick up your ribbon and prize if it’s you)
Used Books and Other Treasures Sale
Explore the Museum (can you find all 535 eggs? Did we count right?)
Get a ticket for a Raffle: Kids Raffle (Saturday only) and Decoy Raffle (winner announced October 31)
Scavenger Hunts
Nature Quests
Live birds at our feeders, in the woods, in the meadoews
Snacks available for sale
Yet more games and crafts
Walking trails (have you found the pond? The stone wall? The new bench? All the items on the Unnatural Trail?)
