The Margret and H.A. Rey Center in Waterville Valley is partnering with local Eco Artist Cynthia Robinson to present two week-long art and nature programs for youth. Children will have the opportunity to create sculptures using natural materials, contributing to an art trail along the Curious George Cottage Nature Trail.

Art TrailWorks! is being offered for ages 7-9 on July 27-31 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. each day. Participants will explore natural materials and build "eco art" along the Curious George Nature Trail for all to enjoy. Children will think about patterns, colors, lines, and shapes, while working together and individually with bark, sticks, rocks, pinecones, leaves, and more, highlighting the trail's smallest details and natural beauty. Participants will also create drawings, use digital photography, and then work together to design a group book that tells the story of our Art Trail. Every participant will receive a professionally published copy of the group Art TrailWorks! book.

Exploring Nature and Art is being offered for ages 4-6 on July 27-31 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. each day. Participants will base explorations on questions such as "Who lives in our woods?" and "What kinds of creatures walk on the Curious George Nature Trail?". Using natural materials, children will build shelters, webs, and nests for the local creatures along the Nature Trail. The sculptures will become part of a growing Art and Nature Trail. Participants will also be working on drawing, painting, and printmaking that will become part of the Art Trail Book. Every child will receive a professionally published copy of the group Exploring Nature and Art book.

Cynthia Robinson is a Visual Artist with over twenty years experience designing, teaching, and directing learning and arts programs. As a working visual artist, making art is a regular part of Cynthia's life, which compliments and inspires her various teaching/presentation events. When asked about the inspiration for her work, Cynthia responded, "I find that my students inspire my own artwork and vice-versa. The processes and concepts may be different, but the energy and creative spirit cross back and forth."  Cynthia's business, Eco Art a la carte is based on her work as an "Eco Artist" (a new form of environmental artist) and her passion for teaching. She believes that visual art can provide a simple gateway to understanding and exploring the natural environment. Cynthia explains, "Developing this relationship between students and the places in which they live is, in my opinion, essential to educating socially and environmentally conscious future adults. My approach to teaching is based on creating a learning space where students can apply their natural creative ability to new materials and concepts."

Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children's book series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, NH, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and stewards. Today their spirit lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the Reys' legacy through art, science, and adventure programs for all ages. To register for this program or for more information please contact the Margret and H.A. Rey Center at http://www.reycenter.org or 603-236-3308.