Check Out the New Mural - Seeing the Art in Nature

Donna Bushnell, Bob Hudson, Bev Rigenberg, Stoney Smith

The Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge partnered with the Cedar Key Arts Center this year to sponsor a new mural featuring the 2015 Old Florida Celebration of the Arts design contest theme, “Seeing the Art in Nature.”  The artwork invites visitors to experience nature’s artwork in the wildlife refuges surrounding Cedar Key.

Local artist, Travis Parks, designed and painted this mural with the hope of “inspiring people to get out and enjoy all the beauty around us.”  The peaceful openness of the refuges waterways and flats are contrasted against the quiet darkness of the scrub.  As you look closely you can see a kayaker off in the distance and a hiker leaving the forested area, all overseen by a Great White Heron and a three “painted” turtles. 

Thanks also goes to Stoney Smith of Hudson Foods, Inc. who supported the project by making the northeast wall of the “gas station” Jiffy available for the project.  A dedication plaque commemorating the 51st Annual Spring Arts Festival was installed on Monday, January 19. More information about the festival which will be on March 28 & 29 this year can be found on the festival website at www.CedarKeyArtsFestival.com.

Submitted by Bev Ringenberg