"Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways..." --
David Allen Sibley in The Sibley Guide to Birds
June 24, 2005 - January 1, 2006
Over 50 original watercolor paintings by America's most gifted contemporary illustrator of birds, David Allen Sibley, are on exhibit at the Concord Museum beginning June 24, 2005, in the first major exhibition of this author/artist's work. Sibley, who began watching and drawing birds in 1969 at age seven, is well known for his ability to both describe and celebrate his subject. More than just a field guide,The Sibley Guide to Birds has already proved to be one of the most influential natural history books of our times. The exhibition, David Sibley's Birds, organized by the Concord Museum, celebrates the publication's fifth anniversary. Sure to appeal to bird watchers -- both novice and experienced -- as well as artists, naturalists, teachers, and families, the new exhibition offers a rare opportunity to bring together, in a museum setting, the art and expertise of this innovative, nationally-recognized Concord resident.
A varied selection of Sibley's work on exhibit includes his beautifully-detailed American Kestrel, Bluebird, Purple Gallinule, Piping Plover, Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Blue Heron and the newly-rediscovered Ivory-billed Woodpecker. In addition to the bird paintings, a special section includes a full set of field sketches, photographs, audio recordings, notes and clippings for one species, one of the hundreds assembled by Sibley over the fifteen years of development that preceded the publication of Sibley's Guide in 2000. This privileged view of Sibley's method demonstrates the tremendous amount of observation and research he undertook before creating the final drawings. Audio components present a selection of bird songs (a critical aid to field identification) and comments from the artist about his experiences. A set of coloring pages for children specially created by Sibley for this exhibition are included.
The exhibition is on view through January 1, 2006 and is accompanied by a wide range of programs and events celebrating the long history of naturalists and environmentalism in the Concord area. Call the Museum for a complete listing of fall programs or view the Museum's calendar at www.concordmuseum.org.
Museum Admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors (62 & over), $7 students with valid ID, and $5 children, Concord Museum Members Free. Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 - 5:00 and Sunday from 12:00 - 5:00. The Concord Museum is located in historic Concord, Massachusetts at the intersection of Lexington Road and Cambridge Turnpike. The Museum is wheelchair accessible and has ample free parking on Cambridge Turnpike.
For further information contact the Concord Museum at (978) 369-9609 (Taped information); (978) 369-9763 (Reservations) E-mail: cm1@concordmuseum.org; Web site: www.concordmuseum.org.
Paintings from top: "Broad-tailed Hummingbird, by David Allen Sibley, Graphite and gouache on paper, 2002."
This painting is immediately familiar to many people because it is the image on the cover of the publication, Sibley's Birding Basics. A western mountain species, Broad-tailed Hummingbird is rarely seen in the east, mainly in Gulf Coast states.
"Lawrence's Goldfinch, original watercolor painting, copyright 2004 by David Allen Sibley."
"Marsh Wren at Nest, original watercolor painting, copyright 2000 by David Allen Sibley."
Backgrounds: Skorch Graphics.
 
 
|
