A visit to Minsmere is not just about birds, insects, flowers or mammals. Or tea, coffee, cakes and soup for that matter! It's about the arts too.
Minsmere is a great place to inspire artists, photographers and writers - or be inspired by their work.
There are several examples on offer in September:
Popular author, broadcaster and naturalist Richard Mabey will be at Minsmere on Sunday after (5 September) signing copies of some of his many books (including Flora Britannica, Nature's Cure, The Barley Bird - notes on the Suffolk nightingale and Food for free). These books will be for sale in the Minsmere shop too. Richard Mabey will be chatting to visitors about his work. Meet him in the visitor centre on Sunday from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
Young photography student Harry Emmerson, from Lowestoft, is currently exhibiting his photos, including an award-winning image of a drake mallard, in the Minsmere tearoom. What better excuse can there be to try out our excellent cakes or meals? Harry's photos will be on display until 25 September. There is usually a photographic or art exhibition in the Minsmere tearoom throughout the year.
And artist Richard Allen, a former bird illustrator of the year, has recently produced a stunning painting of the Minsmere Scrape complete with 63 bird species - one for each year that minsmere has been an RSPB nature reserve. This was commissioned by and presented to local athlete David Miller as a reward for winning 200 races. A print of this superb painting will shortly go on display in the Minsmere shop, with a limited edition run of prints available to buy. Please contact the reserve for further details.
If all that inspires you, you could join artist Peter Partington for a painting workshop on Saturday 18 September (cost £25, booking essential) or enquire about a digi-scoping hire-a-guide walk.
It was great to meet Richard Mabey on Sunday. Looking at how many visitors were flicking through his books in the Hosking Room, I'm sure many visitors enjoyed meeting Richard. His books are certainly popular. Thanks, Richard, for taking the time to visit Minsmere.
I hope you enjoyed Harry Emmerson's photos. They were excellent for such a young photographer. His exhibition finishes tonight so that Harry can head off to university. Good luck Harry.
The next exhibition, for just a week, is by our very own volunteer photographer, Jon Evans. If you read my regular blog on the community pages, you'll be familiar with Jon's photos. Many of these are now available ot buy as prints in the Minsmere shop - see them for yourself in a gorgeous album on display in the shop. From snowy owls and dotterels in Scotland to bluethroats and sanderlings at minsmere and spotted flycatchers in his own garden, Jon has superb collection of images.
Also, Richard Allen's painting celebrating Minsmere's diverse birdlife is now on display in the shop, with prints available to buy.
Come and see them for yourself.
Unknown said: A visit to Minsmere is not just about birds, insects, flowers or mammals. Or tea, coffee, cakes and soup for that matter! It's about the arts too. Minsmere is a great place to inspire artists, photographers and writers - or be inspired by their work. There are several examples on offer in September: Popular author, broadcaster and naturalist Richard Mabey will be at Minsmere on Sunday after (5 September) signing copies of some of his many books (including Flora Britannica, Nature's Cure, The Barley Bird - notes on the Suffolk nightingale and Food for free). These books will be for sale in the Minsmere shop too. Richard Mabey will be chatting to visitors about his work. Meet him in the visitor centre on Sunday from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Young photography student Harry Emmerson, from Lowestoft, is currently exhibiting his photos, including an award-winning image of a drake mallard, in the Minsmere tearoom. What better excuse can there be to try out our excellent cakes or meals? Harry's photos will be on display until 25 September. There is usually a photographic or art exhibition in the Minsmere tearoom throughout the year. And artist Richard Allen, a former bird illustrator of the year, has recently produced a stunning painting of the Minsmere Scrape complete with 63 bird species - one for each year that minsmere has been an RSPB nature reserve. This was commissioned by and presented to local athlete David Miller as a reward for winning 200 races. A print of this superb painting will shortly go on display in the Minsmere shop, with a limited edition run of prints available to buy. Please contact the reserve for further details. If all that inspires you, you could join artist Peter Partington for a painting workshop on Saturday 18 September (cost £25, booking essential) or enquire about a digi-scoping hire-a-guide walk.
Having trouble with blogging. Only to thank Ian for replying to my king eider email. Ref. Manx shearwater I can only say it was a shearwater, but after two weeks (and no notes!) cannot be dogmatic. Confess I assumed it was a Manx. Never seen a Cory's.
We bought a numbered print last year of Bearded Tits by S Message. Its a lovely print of a beautiful bird and looks great framed and up on the wall
This month's superb exhibition in the tearoom is by Derbyshire artist Irene Brierton, who specialises in detailed watercolours of British wildlife. This exhibition features a selection of her signed Limited Edition Prints.
Irene is a keen amateur naturalist with a special depth of knowledge about badgers. She is an active and passionate conservationist.
A professional wildlife artist, Irene delights in time spent patiently observing her wildlife subjects out in the countryside. This dedicated observation, coupled with her mastery of technique, enables her to bring her subjects to life, each one a vibrant detailed study of the individual.
All prints, framed and unframed, are available to purchase. 30% of proceeds directly benefits the RSPB.
Irene's exhibition ends on Friday 26 November.
For the natural history book addicts among you - and I'm sure there are lots - David Chandler will be visiting Minsmere on Saturday 4 December to sign copies of his books, including Kingfisher, 100 Birds to See Before You Die and The RSPB Children's Guide to Birdwatching. Meet David in the visitor centre from 1.30 pm, after the Wildlife Explorers Christmas Party.