All Invited To Attend Fairfield Audubon's Birds In Their Habitat Exhibit

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the fourth year, the two-day Birds In Their Habitat art show is coming to the Fairfield Audubon Society headquarters on Burr Street.

Nelson North, the Director of Operations for the Fairfield Center of the Connecticut Audubon Society, is one of the people in charge of making sure the annual Birds in their Habitat art show goes off with out a hitch.
Photo Credit: *Alissa Smith*

by Alissa Smith

09/27/2013 7:00 a.m.

The show this weekend is the single biggest fundraiser held by the Audobon Society, said Nelson North, director of Fairfield operations. In the past, the show has played host to some nationally recognized artists, including James Prosek of Easton and David Allen Sibley.

This year, the show has named Norwalk artist Sean Murtha as Artist of the Year for his work in portraying local shore birds along Long Island Sound.

“He is a sketcher and painter,” North said. “He spent some time this summer up on Great Gull Island, which is a wonderful tern habitat.”

Murtha will be holding two talks over the weekend in which he will discuss his art and why he chose to focus on seagulls, terns and the many other types of shore birds seen daily on Connecticut beaches.

Along side Murtha’s showcase will be 19 other artists, seven of whom are new to the show. Many are from Connecticut or other parts of New England.

“Its always great to recognize local talent,” North said. Showcasing mainly New England-based artists has been an aim of the show since it was conceived by local Fairfield artist Beth Rhame, he added.

Among the sculptors, painters and sketchers will be a larger selection of photographers, something North said was done purposely because everyone can relate to photography.

“I can look at that picture and say, 'You know I might be able to take a picture like that,'” North said. They hope it might encourage more people to walk the Audubon trails in an attempt to take photos like ones in the show.

Two live Birds of Prey shows will be held each day for children of all ages to come and learn about the birds of prey that live in the area.

More than 1,000 people are likely to visit the show on Sept. 28 and 29, and the Audubon is asking for a donation of $5 per person. That will allow visitors to attend the art exhibit, see the Birds of Prey show and listen to Murtha’s presentation.

The Fairfield Audubon Center is located at 2325 Burr St. Visit the website for more information.

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