Audubon activity combines art and nature
BUFFALO TWP — Those who attended Fur, Feathers, Mittens and Scarves in the classroom at Buffalo Creek Nature Park on Saturday not only created a beautiful work of art, but learned how birds and native plants survive frigid temperatures in winter.
Nelson Milano, watershed coordinator for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, said Saturday represented the first time the Audubon Society held the program at the nature park.
He was thrilled to see six women and their children plunk down at the tables in the classroom for the event.
“We are trying to get people interested in the location,” Milano said. “It’s about three years old, so it’s still fairly new.”
He asked his friend, artist Maritza Mosquera, if she would like to offer a public art class at the nature park facility, as the Audubon Society looks to offer diverse programming there for the public.
Mosquera, a painter and screen-printing artist, has studios in Pittsburgh and Natrona Heights, Allegheny County.
On Saturday, she taught the women and their young charges how to create an artistic collage frame on the edges of a large, sturdy piece of white paper before using a squeegee and mesh inside a square wooden frame to create screen-printing art in the middle of the paper.
Mosquera also gave a PowerPoint presentation on the flora, fauna and birds that must live outside on cold winter days and how they survive.
She told those in attendance, with the help of the photos she shared on PowerPoint, that holly bushes survive winter because spikes on the plant’s leaves prevent mice and deer from eating its red berries, which allows the seeds to spread and propagate the plant in the spring.
Blue jays have feathers of many sizes, but only the outer half of the feathers are blue while the inner part provide a warm insulation for the birds.
Another bird, the dark-eyed junco, has many layers of downy leaves that keep the little foraging bird warm when arctic winds blow, Mosquera explained.
“I wanted to talk about winter and nature and the nature park as well because it’s so beautiful,” she said.
Meredith Jankov, of Butler Township, brought her son, Timothy, 9, to the event.
“He really enjoys nature, and we are new to the area, so this gives us a chance to explore the Audubon Society facility here,” Jankov said.
Timothy said he came to spend some one-on-one time with his mom and because he enjoys art.
“It’s calming, and it’s fun to draw and come up with ideas,” he said. “I love to listen to music and sketch.”
Shannon Parks and her son, Jacob Parks, 9, both of Buffalo Township, enjoy art and nature, so they thought the event would be a great way to spend a windy, cold Saturday.
“We’ve been here before,” Parks said. “We live close by, and they offer fun activities.”
Karen Nicholas brought her niece and nephew, Giuliana, 10, and Ian, 12, to the art and nature class.
“This is wonderful,” Nicholas said of the nature park, Audubon Store and classroom. “It’s local, well-kept and has convenient parking, and it’s close to the (Butler-Freeport Community) Trail.”
Giuliana traced a blue jay and some holly leaves to cut out for use in her collage around the screen print. She also used some colorful paper and other media in her collage.
“I think it’s really nice and cool,” she said of the class.
Giuliana loves to try any kind of art project.
“It makes me get more creative every single day,” she said.
Ian also enjoyed making the funky screen printing.
“It’s fun,” he said. “I kind of like art.”
Giuliana had a proclamation to make about Karen Nicholas for bringing the siblings to the nature park Saturday.
“She’s the best aunt ever,” Giuliana said.
