Petersham Local NEWS

Nature Drawing and Painting

Internationally recognized wildlife artist, Barry Van Dusen, who resides in central Massachusetts, will present a program at the Petersham Craft Center to help teach learn how to capture the artistry of the natural world. The day-long workshop will be held on Saturday, February 25, from 10AM to 4PM.

Barry will share his philosophies and approaches, showing how he uses a regular program of field sketching to explore and record his impressions of the natural world. Participants will learn how to develop what Barry calls the Art of Seeing – starting with warm-up exercises to develop hand-eye coordination, and moving on to valuable contour drawing techniques and memory drawing skills.

Students will learn the basics of handling watercolors, with a full discussion of materials. Hands-on exercises will help develop brush-handling skills, value control and color mixing/glazing techniques. Barry will show how his field work is used later in the studio to create larger, more complex watercolor paintings and illustrations.

Barry’s art has appeared in Bird Watcher’s Digest, Birding, and Yankee magazines, as well as in a variety of history books and pocket guides for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. In 1994 Barry was elected a full member of London’s Society of Wildlife Artists. His work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has traveled to Spain, Ireland, England, Israel, and Peru, working alongside other wildlife artists to raise money for conservation of threatened habitats.

The art of drawing has been used for centuries to learn about and form a deeper connection with nature. Artists and nature lovers of all skill levels are welcome. The class is $85 for nonmembers and $70 for members. A list of required materials will be available for participants. Call the Petersham Craft Center at 978-724-3415. The Craft Center is located at 8 North Street, just off Route 32, near Petersham Common.

Groundhog Day was Feb. 2

Punxsutawney Phil left his burrow at 7:20 a.m. Feb. 2nd at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He saw his shadow. That means 6 more weeks of "winter." Phil offered no comment on whether we will still be having temperatures in the high 40s, gentle breezes and light rain instead of howling snowstorms during that time.

100-Year Anniversary for Historical Society

More than three dozen residents packed the back room at the Country Store Jan. 29 for newly digitized old movies of town people events. Historian Larry Buell narrated a collection of short films of our Agricultural fair and other events at the school and on the common. The Petersham Historical Society is celebrating is 100th Anniversary in 2012 and is planning other special events throughout the year. The program was free and open to the public.

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Selectmen named seven residents, and two police department representatives to a nine-person Animal Shelter policy review committee at their Jan. 31 meeting. More than a dozen residents packed the Selectmen's meeting Jan. 10 to discuss issues about how volunteers can assist at the new Animal Control facility on South Street. Most were associated with the group that raised money and built the new animal shelter.

Since the building was dedicated, the volunteers have complained that their role has been limited by concerns about potential insurance liability associated with their role. Police Chief Dana Cooley has said volunteers may only serve at the shelter when the town's animal control officer is present and under his direct supervision.

Cooley said volunteers are welcome, but have to be under the direct supervision of the animal control officer. Cooley, and interested residents met. Jan. 19 in the lower town hall to discuss their issues and begin work on a plan for volunteer involvement. The group will meet next on Feb. 6.