D e s e r t E x p o s u r e September 2008

Make a Splash at 4th Gila River Festival

The fourth annual Gila River Festival, Sept. 18-21, in and around Silver City, celebrates the Gila River as a source of inspiration. The festival will bring together experts, artists and scientists from many disciplines, to bridge science and the arts through rock art, nature writing, field sketching, weaving, songwriting, performance and photography. The festival format will include intensive workshops, a keynote speaker, lectures, hikes and performances over a four-day period. For more information and complete schedule, see www.gilaconservation.org or contact the Gila Conservation Coalition, 538-8078 or info@gilaconservation.org

Schedule Highlights

Thursday, Sept. 18

Native Plant Dyes with weaver Hosana Eilert — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Lichty Center at Gila River Farm, Cliff. $45

Rock Art of the Lower Box with Anthony Howell, photographer and rock art specialist — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Gila Lower Box, access via Red Rock. $20

Dreams of Angels and Dust Storms: An Evening on the Rio Gila in 1848 — Keynote address by art historian Gray Sweeney, Arizona State University. 7-9 p.m. Silco Theater. $5 donation.

Friday, Sept. 19

Hike at the Gila River Farm with Mike Fugagli, naturalist and ornithologist — 8-10 a.m., Gila River Farm, Cliff. $5

Wetlands Restoration Planting Party with Martha Schumann, TNC field representative — 10 a.m.-noon, Gila River Farm, Cliff.

Behind-The-Scenes Pottery Tour with Cynthia Ann Bettison, WNMU Museum director and archaeologist — 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. WNMU Museum. $15

Community Performance — 7-9 p.m., Silco Theater. Free

Saturday, Sept. 20

Landscape Photography with Michael Berman — 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Location TBD. $75

Kayak Trip Down the Gila — 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Meeting location TBD. $25

Raptor Viewing in Red Rock with Mike C. Neal, research biologist — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation provided. Meet at Silver City Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. $20

Nature Writing with Sharman Apt Russell — 9 a.m.-noon, Lichty Center at Gila River Farm, Cliff. $25

Plein Air Painting on the Gila with Sandy Urban — 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Gila River Farm, Cliff. $60

Sharing the Inspiration community art show — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Silco Theater lobby.

Gila River Mural Dedication and Reception — 11 a.m., Yankie & Bullard.

Gallery Tour — 2-5 p.m., downtown Silver City.

Art Opening: Premonitions, photography of Michael Berman — 5-7 p.m., Blue Dome Gallery

Dance for the Rio Gila — 7 p.m.-10 p.m., Isaac's Bar & Grill. $10 donation

Sunday, Sept. 21

Birds of Lake Roberts with David Beatty, SWNM Audubon board — 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Transportation provided. Meet at Silver City Visitor Center at 7:45 a.m. $20

Field Sketching with Judith Meyer — 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Lichty Center at Gila River Farm. $40

Photographing with a View Camera with Michael Berman — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., location TBD. $75

Kayak Trip Down the Gila — 9 a.m.-2 p.m., meeting location TBD. $25

From Mud Pies to Mimbres Pots with the Gila Conservation Education Center — 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Begins and ends at the Silco Theater. Free, registration required.

Mimbres Iconography Slideshow with Cynthia Ann Bettison, WNMU Museum director and archaeologist — 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Silco Theater. $5 donation.

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