THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610030189
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: 55 lines
Folks visiting the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center on Hatteras Island now have rainy day options for viewing flora and fauna. They can drink in a vista of wetlands complete with swooping egrets and diving waterfowl from the massive windows of the center's latest addition or gaze at the wildlife art that fills its walls.
The new exhibits gallery - attached to the original section of the 2-year old center - opened in August. It's of modest size, but large enough to hold permanent educational displays such as stuffed models or mounts of osprey, loggerhead sea turtles, snow geese, falcons and otters.
In addition, 17 artists are showing works that include photographs, paintings, wood carvings and wire sculpture as part of the opening festivities and in conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge Week. The works will hang through Oct. 13.
Propped on an easel at the entrance to the show is a watercolor of a jumping marlin by the late Frank Stick, who was famous for his wildlife paintings and his efforts to preserve the refuge.
Sculptor Bruce Gibson spent 50 hours on a wire rendition of an osprey that dangles from the ceiling. Formed from copper ground wire and painted with bronze and white paint, the bird's wings actually flutter when it's touched by moving air. Showcased near the window, the bird's textures are highlighted beautifully.
``With different lights you see different things,'' Gibson said.
The permanent wall displays describe shorebirds, wading birds and birds of prey surrounded by these works of local artists. You can view a painting of geese in flight by Wayne Fulcher, Janet Allen Walker's highly detailed print of red wolves, Everett Tate's delightful acrylic painting of marsh mallows, John Silver's watercolor turtles, Rick Tupper's pastel-colored fish and Ray Matthew's photographs of birds in flight and a solitary egret.
E.M. Corsa's ``The Ornithologists'' mixes humor with fantasy. It depicts two cats setting out to bird-watch equipped with seed, binoculars and what appears to be a Peterson's field guide.
Speaking of guide books, check out the books for sale in the gift shop section of the center. You'll find a warehouse of knowledge including the Bent Series natural history bird books. These hard-to-find, comprehensive manuals offer inspiration to the wildlife artist or nature enthusiast.
And plan to spend some time gazing out of the gallery. Placed in front of three picture windows is a simple wooden bench. And just an arm's length away, resting on the sill, is a handy pair of binoculars.
The swaying grasses, soaring birds and splashing waters outside provide ``living art'' that works in harmony with the artists' achievements within. What a bonus to take in the art and its inspiration in the same breath. Harmony and preservation - that's what the refuge works to achieve. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Bruce Gibson created a wire osprey that is hanging in the Pea Island
Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center gallery. by CNB