Ned Smith Center

The annual Ned Smith Center Nature and Arts Festival will be held on July 25 and 26 at MYO Park in Millersburg, Pa.

Ned Smith was a self-trained artist, writer, and naturalist who created thousands of drawings and paintings of wildlife. Ned and Marie Smith spent long hours exploring and chronicling what they saw along the back roads of Pennsylvania.

An extraordinary mix of recognized experts will be on hand to honor Ned and Marie. Presentations include ZOOAMERICA’s North American animals; John D. Laskowski, the Mothman; Cal Butchkoski, PGC biologist and expert on bats; and Kermit Henning on edible wild plants. The ever-popular Mid-Atlantic Disc Dogs will join us as will Missy Meloi and her retriever dogs.

A musical jam, sponsored in conjunction with the Susquehanna Folk Music Society, will begin at 2:30 p.m. This year the Perry County Council of the Art’s educational affiliate, The Center for the Education of the Imagination, will be sponsoring student performances from Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties to celebrate their week-long Summer Arts Institutes. Four professional theater artists will be on hand at the Ned Smith Festival to work with interested youth.

On the main stage, there will be a performance by the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet. The Twin Valley Players will present sections from this year’s play, Beauty and the Beast.

During the Festival, a shuttle will be available for attendees to visit the Center’s Olewine Gallery and tour the exhibit, Butterflies and Moths: The Faye Arleen and Lawrence Joseph Kopp Collections. Special thanks are due Faye Kopp for her generous gift of this exceptional collection. The exhibit features the largest moths and butterflies in the world. The exhibit is free to members and only $4 for non-members over twelve.

While at the Center, be sure to visit the Seraph Education Room to see our 2008 Youth Art Contest winners and other educational exhibits. Also take a look at the site for our proposed new amphitheater and enjoy strolling on the new bridge over Wiconisco Creek to our hiking trails.

Visit the Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art for more information.

7/25/2008