(Posted January 19, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Majestic landscapes and an unabashed joy for nature in all its glory is the topic of two educational programs for area schoolchildren sponsored by Juniata College's Museum of Art on Saturday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 21.

The programs will center on artists from the Hudson River School, a group of painters whose work from about 1830 to 1875 concentrated on breathtaking landscapes painted in the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill, Adirondack and White mountains. The works often present a romantic and idealized image of nature that often show human beings as small, yet respectful visitors to these vast wild spaces.

"The Juniata Museum of Art has a number of paintings from the Hudson River School in its permanent collection. The program will allow the children to tour our collection and learn about the Hudson River School artists. Finally, the students will be guided in creating their own nature-based artworks."

"The Juniata Museum of Art has a number of paintings from the Hudson River School in its permanent collection," says Jennifer Streb, assistant professor of art history at Juniata. "The program will allow the children to tour our collection and learn about the Hudson River School artists. Finally, the students will be guided in creating their own nature-based artworks."

Some of the Hudson River School artists represented in Juniata's collection are Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Edward Moran and Josh Casilear.

The first program, designed for children ages 5 to 8, will be at 10:30 a.m., Jan. 31 at the museum. Those interested in attending should register by Jan. 21.

The second program, aimed at children from ages 9 to 12, will be at 10:30 a.m., Feb. 21 at the museum. Registration deadline for this program is Feb. 11.

To obtain registration and release forms, please call Jennifer Streb at (814) 641-3657, or e-mail streb@juniata.edu. Completed registration forms should be mailed back to Juniata College using the following address: Jennifer Streb, Good Hall, Juniata College, 1700 Moore St., Huntingdon, PA 16652.

The programs will be taught by two Juniata College seniors majoring in museum studies, Claire Wakefield, of Deer River, N.Y., and Alex-Rae Campbell, of Chest Springs, Pa.



Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.