Digging In to the Art of Nature Workshop Series!

Mondays, July 16-August 13, 12:30-2:30 pm

Hosted by local musician/storyteller & arts educator “Story” Laurie

McIntosh, each week’s program will feature a guest artist/naturalist. All

programs are free of charge. Children under the age of six must be

accompanied by an adult.

“Digging In to the Art of Nature” is funded by Kids in the Kaatskills.

Mon. July 16: Bee Buggy with Musician/Naturalist Betty Boomer.

We'll hunt for butterfly eggs, aquatic insects & more wonderful creatures.

We'll sing songs & hear stories about bugs of all sorts; we’ll take a look

at the brilliant houses these beings build for themselves & then do some

watercolor painting inspired by the insects we study. Meet at Ballantine

Park, on CR 1 in Andes, aka Lower Main St. -- across from the post

office.  (In the event of foul weather, meet at the Andes Public Library).

Monday, July 23:  Papermaking with Andes School Art Teacher

Sharon Tucker.    We'll make our very own paper incorporating natural

materials we find outdoors; and we'll learn about nature's papermakers.

Meet at the Andes Public Library.

Monday, July 30: Painting Garden Helpers with acclaimed

children's book author/illustrator Durga Bernhard.    We'll hunt for

some smooth stones while talking about different insects that help our

garden grow. We'll enjoy some stories & songs about garden insects

while painting our rocks with images of some of these marvelous

creatures.  (Acrylic paints -- bring smocks!) Meet at Ballantine Park.

Monday, August 6: Digging into a Wormbox with Retired DEC

Forest Ranger & 4H Leader Extraordinaire Patti Rudge.  Patti will

bring an active worm box with her (compost central!), which we will take

apart, don our scientist hats as we count & weigh the worms & castings

 and then rebuild the box....enjoying worm stories & songs all the while

 Maybe we'll even make up a tune or two ourselves? Meet at the Andes

Public Library.

Monday, August 13: Harvest Picnic & Music Celebration with Local

Musician Ira McIntosh.    We'll harvest some veggies from the Andes

School Garden, and prepare & enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. Ira will

share some fun tunes about food, gardens, water, bugs, and just about

anything else you can think of! We’ll meet at the greenhouse behind

Andes School (near the pool), & then walk over to Ballantine Park. (In

the event of foul weather, meet at the Andes Public Library)

Wear comfy clothes & shoes that you don't mind getting dirty, as we'll go

for walks & spend time poking around in the dirt and water. Too fun!