Event supports Nature Exploration Area upgrades, ‘Music in Nature’ events
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, MICH. – Harris Nature Center Foundation is inviting artists of all ages and skill levels to a virtual fundraiser, Painting Nature: Tyco the Turtle.
Registrants can paint alongside a professional artist from Paint Your Poison via an interactive Zoom event, 4-6 p.m., Saturday, April 24, or receive a link to the recorded session to paint when convenient.
Each $40 painting kit provides $15 to the foundation in support of Harris Nature Center in Meridian Township. The foundation funds programs, exhibits and capital improvements to enrich HNC visitor experience.
“Harris Nature Center Foundation wants to be ready to support engaging programming once we can celebrate nature together again,” said Alexa Warwick, Ph.D., HNC Foundation board member. “Tyco was the first resident wildlife to be housed at the center, so it’s fitting his image will help painters of all levels connect with nature in a fun, creative way.”
The eastern box turtle is now one of 22 resident wildlife cared for by the center. All are animals brought to the center because they could not be reintroduced into the wild. Many are utilized to educate visitors on Michigan’s native wildlife.
Monies raised will help fund upgrades to the Nature Exploration Area, a playscape for kids, and support two “Music in Nature” public events in 2021.
Harris Nature Center Coordinator Kati Adams said, “During the Zoom session we’ll answer questions about the center, our new nature and wildlife observation deck that’s handicapped-accessible, and our resident wildlife.”
Adams also serves the township as parks and land preservation superintendent.
To register and purchase painting kits, visit www.paintyourpoison.com/events/2021/hnc. Doubling the foundation donation is optional by adding $15 at checkout. Registration deadline dates are Saturday, April 17, for kits to be mailed for a fee and Wednesday, April 21, for kits to be picked up at locations within Meridian Township.
Each painting kit includes everything needed except paintbrushes to create an 11×14 Tyco masterpiece on canvas. Brushes can be added for $6.
For more information or help registering, contact Paint Your Poison at 517.220.0058 or info@paintyourpoison.com. Paint Your Poison, Lansing, is a paint-and-sip micro-business that makes art easy and accessible to all by offering fun, personalized paint parties at restaurants and at private facilities and homes as well as via virtual events.
Harris Nature Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that garners broad community involvement and long-term support of the Harris Nature Center. The foundation funds programs, exhibits and capital improvements to enrich visitor experience. It was founded by Meridian Township in 2006. For more information, visit www.hncfoundation.org.
Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Rd., Okemos, comprises 48 acres of a larger Meridian Township park called Meridian Riverfront Park. HNC offers environmental activities and outdoor recreation opportunities that focus on protecting, promoting and interpreting the Red Cedar River. The Harris Nature Center building provides interpretive exhibits, live Michigan animal displays, nature murals by local artists and environmental programs for schools and the public. Park amenities include a half-mile paved trail, several miles of natural trails, the Nature Exploration Area where people can intuitively interact with nature, and a newly constructed pavilion. Also new is a handicapped-accessible observation deck with three commercial binocular stands that offers unobtrusive views of nature and wildlife.
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Photo caption
HNCF Painting Fundraiser-2021.jpg – Harris Nature Center Coordinator Kati Adams and Tyco the Eastern Box Turtle reveal the canvas design for HNC Foundation’s virtual painting fundraiser. Behind is the 6-foot-tall, climbable turtle sculpture within the center’s Nature Exploration Area.
