Media contact: Andy Bingle, Interpretive Programs Manager, 608-356-9462 ext. 108
Baraboo, WI – The International Crane Foundation is hosting a series of Cranes and Culture events this visitor season. The first event is Saturday, April 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Cranes and Culture Art Series will educate visitors by offering a series of complimentary monthly workshops led by local artists.
Each month the International Crane Foundation will feature a different local artist who will showcase their work – everything from photography to painting and dance. The artists will present educational workshops to inspire visitors to express themselves artistically, explore cultural connections, and teach participants how art can protect our natural world.
The Cranes and Culture Art Series is a free event. Visitors will not have to pay admission fees to see the artists. The art series will be accessible to everyone interested in learning more about cranes and art.
The Cranes and Culture Art Series will highlight the work of eight gifted artists in the community:
• April 21 – Woodworker Brian Wilbrandt of Cazenovia and Fiber Artist Sharon Nicholas of Dodgeville, Wis.
• May 5 – Photographer Stan Tekiela of Minneapolis, Minn.
• June 16 – Illustrator Kim Russell of Spring Green, Wis.
• July 8 – Ho-Chunk Experience – Wasira Native Dance Show of Baraboo, Wis.
• Aug. 11 – Painter Janet Flynn of Reedsburg, Wis.
• Sept. 15 – Graphic Designer Amie Van Susteren of Lone Rock, Wis.
• Oct. 6 – Painter Ellen McGaughey of Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Artists are invited to share a presentation, host a workshop and give a demonstration of their work. They will share their creative process, their artistic and cultural inspiration related to cranes and water, and their relationship with the natural world.
After each artist presentation, community members can meet the artists, ask questions and most importantly, make art with the artists. Visitors will learn the cultural relevance of the projects and how they relate to cranes and wetland conservation while engaging in hands-on art activities. Visitors will be able to take their artwork home.
This Saturday, April 21, we are excited to welcome Woodworker Brian Wilbrandt and Fiber Artist Sharon Nicholas to the International Crane Foundation. Following their presentation, visitors will be led in an origami crane-making workshop.
This project is funded in part, by Jodi K. Kingdon and Henry S. Kingdon, M.D., Ph.D. and a grant from the Sauk County UW Extension, Arts & Culture Committee and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin.
Following Saturday’s free event, visitors are encouraged to explore the International Crane Foundation site, including two tours – the Cranes of the World Tour at 1 p.m. and a Spirit of Africa Tour at 3 p.m.
Plan your visit to the International Crane Foundation
Open daily April 15 to October 31
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
E11376 Shady Lane Road
Located between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells
For more information please visit savingcranes.org or call 608-356-9462 ext. 121.
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The International Crane Foundation works worldwide to conserve cranes
and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend.