Perceptions of Nature

ROCKWELL MUSEUM, SPENCER CREST TO OFFER "PERCEPTIONS OF NATURE" WORKSHOP

August 10, 2003

Two centuries ago, as explorers from Europe and the Eastern states began to make their way west, they encountered wilderness. The lands through which they traveled were vast, untamed forests not yet cleared for farming. Nature was often their guide, both physically and spiritually. Their very survival required their looking and listening with great care. Now, although we depend less on such keen observations for our survival and bearings, we still go to nature as a source of inspiration.

This summer, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art and Spencer Crest are teaming up to invite adults and teens to find new wellsprings for their creativity. "Perceptions of Nature" is a one-day poetry and pottery workshop scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The fee for the day is $35.00 for a member of the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, and $45.00 for a not-yet-member. Participants are asked to bring their own lunches. Advance reservations are required, since the class is limited to 15 participants. Reservations can be made by calling the Rockwell Museum at 248-1489 or via email to alvareg@rockwellmuseum.org.

The day will begin at Spencer Crest Nature Center, where the Center's educator, John Hazard, will guide participants in exploring nature as a source for their own creative processes. Walking the trails and meadows, participants will closely observe elements of nature in this quiet, reflective time.

After picnicking at the Nature Center, they will spend the afternoon at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art with Master Ceramicist Linda Huey. She will help each individual create a sculptural clay container. The particular focus of this portion of the workshop will be to create a vessel or shrine to shelter and display a found natural object. Each piece will be dried and fired, and participants will take them home at a later date.

At the end of the day, participants will write their own poems that reflect their perceptions of nature - especially those discovered or renewed during this day-away from the bustle of life.

The Rockwell Museum of Western Art owns one of the largest and finest collections of Western American art in the United States. All of the Rockwell Museum's exhibits and services - galleries, events, art packs, Trading Post, and the adjacent Cantina - reflect the people, places, and ideas of the West, immersing visitors in an authentic Western experience. The natural world is the subject of many of the museum's works of art.

Those who attend the Perceptions of Nature workshop may be especially interested in observing the great variety in perceptions by a wide variety of both explorers and Native Peoples over the course of many generations.

The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Summer hours (July 1 - Labor Day) are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Sunday 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Spencer Crest Nature Center provides environmental, educational, and recreational activities for the greater Corning area. The Center features 250 acres and 7 miles of trails with two ponds, a stream and a museum of natural systems which includes changing displays, an apiary and an environmentally sensitive design. More information about Spencer Crest is available at www.spencercrest.org.