where natural history meets art
Well, we have a “happenin’ summer!”
Arts events are the big focus in July, with a concert, a workshop, and a reception. If you need something a bit more detailed, try the Butterfly and Big Walk. If you want quiet reflection, there’s another Forest Sit. Need to stomp some feet? Drop by the Blues for Breakfast concert at the Huntington Rec Field.
Scroll on down and find out more!
Enjoy a hands-on workshop where people of all ages and skill levels “craft for a cause” by creating soft-sculpture replicas of real birds lost to collisions and learn practical ways we can help protect birds in the built environment.
Bird Collisions in the Anthropocene leads this event at the Birds of Vermont Museum. They are a community art and advocacy project raising awareness about bird building collisions—a leading cause of bird mortality in the United States.
Included with museum admission (free for museum members!).
Register online, or call us (802 434-2167), or just drop in!
Outdoors if weather permits
All ages & skill levels welcome! All materials provided!
Make a small fabric bird based on a real migratory bird found in Vermont for Bird Collisions in the Anthropocene, a community-sourced conservation art project. Learn about migratory birds in Vermont and the hazards of glass windows, while we craft together.
At this bird-crafting workshop, you will decorate a small, pre-made fabric “bird body” with natural fabrics and small decorations like beads, shells, and buttons that you choose from our supplies. You’ll attach them using water-soluble tacky glue. The aim is to make your bird resemble a real bird species affected by building collisions. But, no pressure! You don’t have to be an artist or a crafter to use your imagination to bring a bird to life.
Our “sculptures” will become part of a traveling art exhibit of 10,000+ birds, raising awareness about bird building collisions in the United States, a leading cause of bird mortality. Every year, nearly 2 billion birds die after colliding with glass in our country. Migratory birds are disproportionately affected by collisions.
Come craft a bird, bring a friend, meet new friends, and enjoy a wonderful morning of “crafting for a cause.”
See one of the workshops in action! https://www.instagram.com/p/C9UyjXhRx0u/?hl=en
Explore the beauty of nature through art in this workshop at the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington, VT. We will be tapping into the rich resource of Bob Spear’s dioramas and the museum’s natural history library to draw and paint birds in their natural habitats. Touching on bird anatomy and reflecting on habitats, we will use watercolor and colored pencils for our artworks. 3–hour workshop (Includes all materials)
Instructor: Chris Selin, an instructor with the Davis Studio, and one of the Museum’s exhibiting artists.
Register with the Davis Studio at https://davisstudiovt.com/product/a-naturalists-guide-to-drawing-and-painting-birds-summer-2025/
Time: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Birds of Vermont Museum, 900 Sherman Hollow Rd, Huntington, VT 05462
The workshop will begin with observing and sketching skeletons, feathers, and colors from the collection. Then, the Instructor will demonstrate techniques using watercolor, watercolor pencils, and regular colored pencils. Studio time will allow students to complete a realistic bird composition.
Davis Studio will supply sketch and watercolor paper, graphite pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolors, palettes, and brushes. Students will provide their own sketchbooks and any other art materials they wish to use. Optional/Recommended : phone with camera or camera and water bottle, lunch, and snacks.
Questions about this workshop or supplies? Please email Adult Program Director Kat Lawlis : klawlis@davisstudiovt.com
Explore the beauty of nature through art in this workshop at the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington, VT. We will be tapping into the rich resource of Bob Spear’s dioramas and the museum’s natural history library to draw and paint birds in their natural habitats. Touching on bird anatomy and reflecting on habitats, we will use watercolor and colored pencils for our artworks. 3–hour workshop (Includes all materials)
Instructor: Chris Selin, an instructor with the Davis Studio, and one of the Museum’s exhibiting artists.
Two options:
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 : Register for July 8
or Saturday, August 9, 2025: Register for August 9
Time: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Birds of Vermont Museum, 900 Sherman Hollow Rd, Huntington, VT 05462
The workshop will begin with observing and sketching skeletons, feathers, and colors from the collection. Then, the Instructor will demonstrate techniques using watercolor, watercolor pencils, and regular colored pencils. Studio time will allow students to complete a realistic bird composition.
Davis Studio will supply sketch and watercolor paper, graphite pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolors, palettes, and brushes. Students will provide their own sketchbooks and any other art materials they wish to use. Optional/Recommended : phone with camera or camera and water bottle, lunch, and snacks.
Questions about this workshop or supplies? Please email Adult Program Director Kat Lawlis : klawlis@davisstudiovt.com
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
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
Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org to pre-register.
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: