Views from the Mews
August Newsletter from the Black Hills Raptor Center
Dear Friends and Supporters,
 
September 8th the Black Hills Raptor Center is putting on our exclusive invitation only fundraising event, Art on the Wing, at the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City.  

Art on the Wing is a unique chance for all of our supporters to come together, learn about our mission, and discover how they can join in the exciting and important work we do. 

Attendees will have the chance to bid on original art pieces by regional artists in our art auction, meet our raptors and volunteers, and learn about our mission and building project. Invitations have been mailed to an exclusive list of art lovers and bird lovers. 
This year seven different artists have been invited to participate. Returning artist Jim Green is a long-time supporter of the Black Hills Raptor Center. He has produced bronze sculptures based on several of the non-releasable raptors in our care, donating funds to the Raptor Center as they are sold. Jim is a natural fit for the Raptor Center, using his art in the same way we use our public presentations with the raptors: to get people thinking about the natural world around us and how we can conserve and protect it.
Peg Detmers is another longtime supporter. Her bronze wildlife sculptures, flatwork, and cast metal jewelry are informed by her training as a wildlife biologist. Peg is a familiar sight at our art fundraisers every year and her collectors should enjoy this chance to own a unique piece of her art! 

Joel Bielstein is our other returning artist, bringing his full color landscape and wildlife photography to the auction.

Our new artists this year include local favorite Kathy Sigle. Her watercolors depict Midwestern wildlife and ranch life in equal detail. She spent some time with our birds this summer and we are really looking forward to new work based on these modeling sessions with two of our owls and our Ferruginous Hawk. 
Bonnie LaBeaux makes authentic Native American quilts. Collectors around the region have her colorful artwork. She adds a new art form and a different cultural perspective to our list of artists this year. 
Steve Leonardi and Mike Ward are our final new artists for 2018. They opened the Buffalo Boys Gallery in downtown Custer last summer and can be found working there most days. Steve produces paintings of wildlife that tell their stories in color. He has a background in birds of prey and falconry, which adds depth and detail to his works. Mike is a printmaker and photographer, making gorgeous monochromatic prints. He uses unique printing processes to bring out details and textures in the landscapes he photographs.
Steve Leonardi
This passionate group of artists will be present at the event so attendees can meet them and learn about their work in person. On top of the art and craftsmanship, these artists include wildlife experts, people with their roots here in the Black Hills, and folks who have traveled the world as they pursue their art.

The Raptor Center is entirely staffed by volunteers. Many of these volunteers will be present at the event to introduce you to the artists and to our avian ambassadors. It is incredible to see these birds up close and to learn their stories. Our volunteers have unique and fascinating reasons to donate their time to this effort. The chance to meet both the birds and their handlers is a valuable one for grasping the passion that is embodied in the Black Hills Raptor Center.

 As the highlight of the event, our supporters have the chance to participate in our art auction. Winning bidders will own an exclusive piece of art and have the chance to add to their collection during next year’s event.

All proceeds from Art on the Wing will allow us to move forward with construction on our state of the art raptor rescue and rehabilitation center. This facility will allow us to care for injured birds throughout their rehabilitation process and release them back into the wild when they are ready.

For this second year of Art on the Wing; our Theme is “Healing”, to highlight the rescue and rehabilitation aspect of our work. 

This year’s event is scheduled for:
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Time: 4-7pm
The Dahl Fine Arts Center, 713 7th St, Rapid City, SD, 57701

Are you on the invite list? - Want to be?
A little bird told me that your name is on the list!
Please reach out to Maggie or John to find out more .

Sincerely,
Maggie Engler & John Halverson
Co-Founders
(PLEASE share the link to this newsletter on Social Media to get the word out!)
  Items for Sale: Neck Coolers
The heat of summer is sweltering! Show the world your love of raptors while you stay cool. Get one of our gel neck coolers for only $10. (SD state tax is included). All you do is soak the neck cooler in cold water for a few hours or overnight. Once wrapped around your neck, you get great cooling all day. When the heat has left us and the autumn temps are here, simply hang your cooler to dry. Store it in a zip-lock bag for the winter, and reuse it next year.
 
We have two gorgeous designs – a bald eagle and a snowy owl. Shop our store here https://www.blackhillsraptorcenter.org/store/ and order one today!
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  Upcoming Events:

 August 18, 10a - 2p, Pactola Visitor's Center
Meet 'n Greet: Stop in to see the birds

Save the date for Art on the Wing 9/8/18 – (Invitation Only!)

Public Programs & Meet 'n Greets
  • Public Programs are a great opportunity to experience the avian ambassadors of the Black Hills Raptor Center. Grab a few friends and family and join us!
  • Meet 'n Greets are an open house with the birds. Stop by any time during the posted hours to catch a few photos and fun conversation.
These particular events are all free. All family fun.


Please forward this on! AND PLEASE share this on social media, simply click icon below so all your friends and family learn more about our lovely birds. Thanks!