Celebrating the Great Petoskey Passenger Pigeon Nesting of 1878
Unifying Theme: to recall by word, experience, and art the tragic story of the wild passenger pigeon in Petoskey and thereby foster greater love for Northern Michigan’s precious natural resources -- our land, water, and wildlife.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: (all events are free and open to the public)
June 16: Bird walk along the Bear River, Petoskey Audubon Society
June 17: Nature walk near Passenger Pigeon nesting areas; Little Traverse Conservancy
June 17: Lost Bird Project Film Screening with artist Todd McGrain, Crooked Tree Arts Center
June 18: Coffee @ 10 with artist Todd McGrain, Crooked Tree Arts Center, 10 a.m.
June 18: Passenger Pigeon kids and families activities with artist Todd McGrain, Little Traverse History Museum, 2 p.m.
June 18: Passenger Pigeon educator activities with artist Todd McGrain, Little Traverse History Museum, 3 p.m.
June 18: The History of the Passenger Pigeon lecture, Little Traverse History Museum, 7 p.m.
June 19: Passenger Pigeon Monument Unveiling; corner of State and Petoskey Streets, 11 a.m.
June 16: Bird walk along the Bear River, Petoskey Audubon Society
June 17: Nature walk near Passenger Pigeon nesting areas; Little Traverse Conservancy
June 17: Lost Bird Project Film Screening with artist Todd McGrain, Crooked Tree Arts Center
June 18: Coffee @ 10 with artist Todd McGrain, Crooked Tree Arts Center, 10 a.m.
June 18: Passenger Pigeon kids and families activities with artist Todd McGrain, Little Traverse History Museum, 2 p.m.
June 18: Passenger Pigeon educator activities with artist Todd McGrain, Little Traverse History Museum, 3 p.m.
June 18: The History of the Passenger Pigeon lecture, Little Traverse History Museum, 7 p.m.
June 19: Passenger Pigeon Monument Unveiling; corner of State and Petoskey Streets, 11 a.m.
Artist Todd McGrain |
Artist Todd McGrain’s career has been driven by his belief that art is a form of public engagement that can transform our beliefs and perceptions. Through sculpture, painting and drawing, photography and film, McGrain has combined the language of the visual arts and storytelling to raise awareness of man’s impact on the world and the creatures that share it with us.
Born in Rochester, New York in 1961, McGrain’s fondest childhood memories include his time spent camping and hiking in the Adirondack Mountains. This experience in the wilderness formed a lasting love of our natural world. His early career as a sculptor was spent as an apprentice in bronze casting facilities where he had direct hands on experience supporting some of the most significant sculptors of the previous generation. With the support of a Guggenheim fellowship, McGrain continued his education through a study of the major collections across Europe with a particular focus of the art of the Italian Renaissance.
In his mature career, McGrain has tirelessly pursued his ambition to combine his strengths as an artist with his commitment to raising environmental concerns. Through the Lost Bird Project, McGrain has created permanent public memorials to birds driven to extinction. McGrain spent extended time in the Central Africa Republic, chronicling the extinction threat facing the Forest Elephants of the Rainforest for his award winning film, Elephant Path. His current work if focused on at-risk butterflies of the West Coast.
Born in Rochester, New York in 1961, McGrain’s fondest childhood memories include his time spent camping and hiking in the Adirondack Mountains. This experience in the wilderness formed a lasting love of our natural world. His early career as a sculptor was spent as an apprentice in bronze casting facilities where he had direct hands on experience supporting some of the most significant sculptors of the previous generation. With the support of a Guggenheim fellowship, McGrain continued his education through a study of the major collections across Europe with a particular focus of the art of the Italian Renaissance.
In his mature career, McGrain has tirelessly pursued his ambition to combine his strengths as an artist with his commitment to raising environmental concerns. Through the Lost Bird Project, McGrain has created permanent public memorials to birds driven to extinction. McGrain spent extended time in the Central Africa Republic, chronicling the extinction threat facing the Forest Elephants of the Rainforest for his award winning film, Elephant Path. His current work if focused on at-risk butterflies of the West Coast.