Birds, Bugs & Wetlands art exhibit
Dickinson County Nature Center, Dickinson County
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
As Marisa
Sidles paddles her kayak, the nature around her fills her with artistic
inspiration.
sloughs,
found metal sculptures of insects, collages of birds --- Sidles will display
“Birds, Bugs and Wetlands” themed art in the eARTh exhibit area February-April
at the Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji.
“I think the nature center and
what I’m working on lately go together,” the Terril artist said. “I thought it
would be a great honor to display my vision at the nature center and share with
people my vision of nature in the area.”
The exhibit will have a variety
of acrylic on canvas, found metal sculptures, collages and mixed media pieces
done in fanciful colors.
“I want people to see the nature
around us here in a more whimsical way and speak to the child in us,” Sidles
said.
Her newest work is a continued
exploration of the creative nature she has had her entire life. Her family
helped foster an appreciation for art at a young age, and she dabbled in
everything from painting to metal sculpture. Eventually she made a career out
of graphic design while spending her free time with other artistic endeavors.
“I just love creating new things
and experimenting with different materials,” she said.
A reception will be held in
Sidles’ honor 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Dickinson County Nature
Center. She will be on hand to discuss her pieces and how she created them. Art
lovers will have the opportunity to ask questions, to sample delicious hors
d’oeuvres and to even purchase a piece of the collection. Pieces range in price
from $100-$400.
Sidles will also share her
newest passion of collage with art students 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 27, at
the nature center. During her class she will help people create animal
silhouettes out of paper and cloth scraps.
“They can then take that home
with them to create more,” Sidles said, adding that her students can even take
their newfound skills home to teach their friends an art form that doesn’t need
expensive supplies. “I just want them to have fun and say they enjoyed
themselves for a little bit of time.”
The Feb. 27 collage class costs $30,
including supplies. Participants need only bring an inspirational photo to use
as their subject and copies of pictures or magazine clippings to use in the
collage. Students of all ages may pre-register with Sidles by calling
712-363-1307 or e-mailing mreynolds@terril.net.
View Sidles’ exhibit at the
nature center through April during open hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For more information, visit www.dickinsoncountynaturecenter.com
or call 712-336-6352. You can also keep up with what’s happening at the nature
center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
