A dozen wildlife and nature artists will gather at the world-famous Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, to exhibit and sell work at the Sanctuary's annual Hawk Mountain Art Show and Sale September 21-22 from 9 am to 5 pm. This event is free and open to the public and artists will display works in both the Visitor Center and Education Building. Volunteers will be on hand to assist in parking and guiding visitors to each location.

“For art enthusiasts, this is a great chance to see the Sanctuary, and for the hawk watchers, it’s an opportunity to see some wildlife art,” explains President Jerry Regan.

He also is excited to have more room for the artists following the grand re-opening in July of the Sanctuary's Irma Broun-Kahn Education Building.  "It's great to allow our artists to spread out, with half exhibiting in the newly renovated Education Building," he adds.

Participating artists will include wildlife artists Susan Bankey Yoder of Atglen, Dan Christ of Kempton, Patrick Gnan of Elverson, Dave Hughes of Schuylkill Haven, and Bob McGee, Macungie; antique decoy carver Jeff Keiffer of Muncy; Chris Scheidler Pagano of Wiconisco; sculptors Joanne Minnick, Orwigsburg and Richard Summons of Sinking Spring; and photographers Phil Campbell, Lehighton and Melanie Hummer, Lancaster. Some artists will work on pieces during the show, demonstrating and discussing their techniques.

Visitors who pay the trail fee and walk to the North Lookout will also have a chance to watch for raptor migrants from one of the most recognized hawk observation points worldwide.

Here, the 180-degree view is a perfect spot to watch soaring hawks, eagles and falcons as they approach and pass, following the Appalachians south on their annual autumn migration. Daily totals in late September are typically 100 or more hawks, but depending on the timing and weather, several hundred could be seen as well.

Open year-round, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world's first refuge for birds of prey and an international center for raptor conservation. Its eight miles of trails and half a dozen scenic overlooks are open to the public for a modest trail fee, or are free for Members. An average of 18,000 hawks, eagles and falcons are recorded each autumn as they migrate past Hawk Mountain.  

For more information, visit the Hawk Mountain website or call the Sanctuary at 610-756-6961.

9/16/2013