Wildlife Art Show set Dec. 7-8 at Montour Preserve to include kids art corner, holiday gift options, natural ornament workshop

A regular offering at the Montour Preserve since the 1980s, the annual Wildlife Art Show is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday Dec. 7-8, 2024. 

The show features a wide variety of styles, including pencil sketches, oil paintings and scratchboards, and artists, such as Bob Crain, whose handiwork has been featured in the Pennsylvania Game News and other publications. 

Wildlife photographers and videographers will also be featured at the show, including Williamsport native Michael Kinney, who will showcase a variety of his pieces.

"We are always looking for creative ways to connect people with nature and inspire the next generation of stewards, and art offers another window into the natural world. Each intricate brushstroke or camera angle can capture something that really draws us in, and the cool thing with this show is that you can purchase these items and take them home for continued inspiration," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "It is a win-win opportunity. You get to support local artists and check off of those hard-to-fill gift needs on your holiday shopping lists with something unique and meaningful.  There will be all sorts of wildlife art-related items for sale with different price points." 

Additional wildlife artists and photographers are able to still get involved by contacting Michael Kinney, who is organizing this year's show. He can be emailed by clicking here.

Local schools who may have students with wildlife-related art projects that would like to display them during the show for extra exposure should also contact Michael Kinney via email. ​

The event is focused on all ages. A kids art corner will be included throughout the show for families to get creative and pieces will be hung on display or can be taken home to be enjoyed. 

There will also be a special Natural Ornament Workshop where individuals and families will learn about natural ornaments inspired by the Brandywine Conservancy tradition of using natural elements such as teasel, seeds, nuts, dried grasses, weeds, pods and other things to make creative decorations for the holidays (and other times of the year).

"When our kids were younger, we were introduced to natural ornaments during the Christmas season by former RB Winter State Park educator Maryann Bierly, who would offer workshops each year," said Zaktansky. "It became an annual tradition for us to go to her classes and we've really been wanting to offer something similar for families at the Montour Preserve."

The Natural Ornament Workshop will be limited based on supplies available and pre-registration is required for this part of the weekend (using the form below). Donations toward the program are encouraged to help offset costs (either online in the donorbox platform below or via check to the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, 112 Market Street, Sunbury, PA, 17801 (please indicate it is for the natural ornament workshop) or in person at the event. 

If you have any questions about the Natural Ornament Workshop, contact John Zaktansky via email at [email protected]

Please consider a donation toward this event to offset costs for supplies. You can donate online through the DonorBox platform below (PayPal) or via check in the mail or cash, check or card at the event.