Wild Bird Workshop offered by Redeemer ministries

Are you interested in birdwatching but don’t know how to get started? On Saturday, October 15, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer will offer a two-part, daylong workshop that includes a session on birdwatching and a session on drawing wild birds.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Smoot Major, a Redeemer member and instructor of biological sciences at the University of South Alabama, will acquaint students with the basics of birdwatching, including how to find and identify bird species by sight and sound, how to select and use binoculars, and how to use a field guide. The class is open to anyone over the age of 10. A light lunch will be served (donations are appreciated).

Then, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Mobile artist Val Webb will teach the basics of drawing wild birds. Participants will watch a drawing demonstration, followed by a fun warm-up pencil sketching exercise to help them look more deeply at their subjects. Finally, students will create a guided charcoal drawing. No art experience is necessary. The cost of the drawing workshop is $5 to cover the materials used in the class. Space is limited to 20 students, so registration is required.

An exhibition of Val’s work will be hanging in The Artists’ Place at the church October 1 through October 31.  There will be a reception honoring the artist on Sunday, October 9 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Call the church office to visit the gallery during other hours.

For more information, call the church office at (251) 639-1948 or visit http://wildbirdworkshop.eventbrite.com. The Wild Bird Workshop will be held at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 7125 Hitt Road in west Mobile.

The Wild Bird Workshop is sponsored by three ministries of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer: Redeemer Environmental Stewardship Team, St. Francis Guild, and The Artists’ Place.