Department of Parks
Audubon Hosting Retreats And Festival For Artists

HENDERSON, Ky.--John James Audubon State Park is offering amateur, professional and aspiring artists many opportunities with several upcoming events.

On March 23 and April 20, the park in Henderson will welcome all area artists to monthly, all-day artist retreats.  From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. artists can bring their artwork and materials for a great day of inspiration and creativity.  The fee is $15. 

John James Audubon will be hosting its annual Creative Arts Festival on Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m.—5 p.m.  Artists involved with visual arts, pottery, woodworking, glass blowing, blacksmithing, and other art are invited to participate in this fun filled event.  All artists will have the chance to sell, exhibit, and demonstrate their art.  There will also be art booths and activities for aspiring young artists. Booth fees are $35. More information about set-up and check-in times will be given when the participant registers.  

Also on May 12 the park will host the Audubon Paint-Out from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Artists are invited to bring their art materials and capture the beauty of the spring flowers, trees, lakesides, and trails offered at John James Audubon State Park. Participants need to check in at the Creative Arts Festival from 9:30-10 a.m.

In 2008, John James Audubon State Park will exhibit the Audubon Paint-Out participants’ artwork in “The Beauty of Audubon,” an exhibit that will focus on the beauty of the park or any Audubon event. 

For more information or to register for any of these events, contact Kim McGrew at kim.mcgrew@ky.gov or 1-270-827-1893.

John James Audubon State Park is the site where John James Audubon studied and painted birds from 1810-1819.  The park is equipped with cottages and a campground and offers many recreational opportunities including a nine-hole golf course, 6 miles of hiking trails, fishing, and more. It also has a museum and nature center that interprets the life of John James Audubon through a collection of his paintings and memorabilia.  For more information, visit http://parks.ky.gov/ or call 1-270-826-2247. 

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov