‘Get your hands dirty’: Plum Creek fest encourages artistic expression

Plum Creek Nature Center will host a day of creative exploration during its annual Festival of Arts Through Nature on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The free, all-ages event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include a wide variety of hands-on activities that encourage artistic expression through music, movement and visual arts.

The festival will provide many opportunities for attendees to connect with art, said Heather Van Zyl, facility supervisor at Plum Creek.

“We're bringing back two popular community art installations from last year and adding two new ones,” she said. “Get your hands dirty and add to them all. Visit the nature center to meet the animals and create a make-and-take craft. Become a piece of art yourself with free henna or face painting.”

The goal is to get visitors’ creative juices flowing and have them find their nature muse.

“When we take a closer look at the nature around us, we notice the patterns in butterfly wings and ripples in the pond from a single drop of rain, the music of the insects and birds, the unique movement of bees and the wind through the leaves,” Van Zyl said. “In other words, art in its most natural forms.”

Pockets of fun

This year’s vendor row has expanded to include more artisans selling their wares, along with educational booths.

“There will be pockets of fun activities inside and all around the nature center,” Van Zyl added. “I don't want to give them all away, but there will be a prize if you find your way to them!”

And for those who are inspired by words, the festival will include a plot twist book mobile, where you an  find your next favorite read, and a poet tree that features keepsake typewritten nature notes. 

Van Zyl also encouraged visitors to take advantage of the art exhibit on display at Plum Creek through Sunday, Sept. 27.

“This is the closing weekend for the 'Winged Ambassadors' exhibition on display in the nature center,” she said. “If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, during the fest will be the perfect time. As an added bonus, artist Marcia Whitney-Schenck will be on site to talk about the pieces and her process.”

Finally, Van Zyl encouraged visitors to relax and enjoy their time at the fest.

“Make a day of it and stay for lunch,” she said. “The Crete Cadets will be serving favorites off the grill and Hello Boba will be out with refreshing beverages.”

Event schedule

11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.: Free yoga sessions with Seeds of Serenity LLC. Each class is suitable for all ages and levels. The classes will take place outside in the grass. Please bring your own yoga mat or blanket.

Noon to 2 p.m.: Concert by The StingRays. This interactive show will get the crowd dancing and singing to favorite rock 'n' roll hits of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

Ongoing activities: Free henna tattoos and face painting, community art installations, vendor row with local artisans, make-and-take crafts, LEGO bricks, bubbles and chalk.