BOISE, Idaho – In collaboration with local artists, The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey has put together a unique event to bring bird of prey art and STEM-based raptor conservation education together. This event will also give guests the chance to understand the excitement that students experience as they get nose-to-beak with some incredible avian ambassadors – especially the adorable owls who think dusk is the perfect time to party!
Local artist and raptor conservation champion, Ellen Wilson, recently hatched a fantastic idea. Collaborating with Peregrine Fund Art Director Amy Siedenstrang, this idea has turned into something exciting – a raptor art themed auction called Nocturne on Thursday, September 6 from 6-9 pm at the World Center for Birds of Prey. The auction will raise funds for the education programs the World Center for Birds of Prey provides to Treasure Valley children each year, as well as show off the talent of the incredible artists throughout our region.
Participating artists include Ward Hooper, Melissa Osgood, Bryce Robinson, Karen Bubb, and many more. Wilson states, “We are so honored that they have all donated their works as a way to help support our highly regarded STEM-based environmental education programs.” These programs are offered for free to more than 5,000 students in southwest Idaho each year. Also included in the auction will be art donated by children in the Dominican Republic who participate in our conservation education programs to help save the critically endangered Ridgway's Hawk.
Siedenstrang adds, “Our hope is that through celebrating raptor art and Boise's artists, we can grow our science-based educational programming for Boise children in a meaningful way that will inspire future generations of scientists and conservationists.”
The event will be emceed by nationally recognized animal expert Corbin Maxey, who is frequently seen on the Today Show and is host of the award-winning podcast Animals to the Max. Kevin Troutt, Auctioneer and self-proclaimed Fundraiser, will be leading the auction. The evening is sure to be a hoot!
To add a little more fun to the evening, local brewer, Mad Swede Brewing, has joined the effort to design a special beer in honor of the event. Nocturne Ale will debut at the event along with a collector’s glass from which to enjoy this delicious new quaff. Mad Swede Brewing will also donate a portion of the brewery tasting room sales of this ale through the fall.
Thirty donated, original works by Boise's top local artists inspired by avian ambassadors right here at the World Center for Birds of Prey, student artwork from our international education programming, and a handful of trips to get you out of the city and back into nature will all be part of the auction. The event website and examples of some of the artwork for auction is available now on Auction Frogs.
All raptor and art lovers (21 years of age and older) are invited to join the fun of a unique event happening right here in our amazing city.
For more information, contact:
Erin Katzner
Director of Global Engagement
Main Phone: 208-362-3716
Direct Phone: 208-362-8277
