By Darlene Brace
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI) is celebrating two milestones this year as 2024 marks the 90th anniversary of the publication of Peterson’s first field guide, and the 40th anniversary of the founding of RTPI. To celebrate these milestones, they’ve planned a very special year of changing art exhibitions, public programs, and fun celebratory events.
Roger Tory Peterson grew up in Jamestown and is most famous for publishing A Field Guide to the Birds in 1934. Peterson was also an artist, conservationist, and nature educator. In 1984, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute was founded to preserve his lifetime body of work. “The Roger Tory Peterson Institute is a place where art and nature meet,” says David Niles, RTPI’s Advancement Director. “We use art as the lens to explore and understand the natural world, and as a bridge to connect with nature.”
The museum, located at 311 Curtis Street in Jamestown, is just down the street from the Jamestown Community College campus. It features exhibitions, public programs, and special events throughout the year that celebrate art and nature. Some of Peterson’s original paintings and objects from the archives are always on display. The museum includes changing exhibitions of artwork by other nature artists. The building is surrounded by 27 acres of a nature preserve, with trails leading visitors through forested areas along with a few meadows, a pond, and sculptures.
RTPI offers several public programs for the local community and out-of-town visitors, including workshops, lectures, bird walks, and presentations. Many schools attend RTPI for field trips year-round, which gives students the opportunity to learn about nature and art.
For music lovers, RTPI features Art After 5 on the fourth Friday of each month from 5:30pm -7:30pm. For a small registration fee, visitors will enjoy two hours of live music, light bites, a drink from the bar, and access to all the current exhibitions. The music performers change every month and include different genres.
In addition to ongoing programs, RTPI hosts several annual special events. On Saturday, July 20, RTPI will hold their third Summer Soirée. The Summer Soirée is a fundraiser for RTPI’s Artist-in-Residence program. This program supports the mission of RTPI’s goal to nurture the next generation of nature artists. Resident artists spend one week at RTPI doing research with access to Peterson’s artwork and archives. Then they create artwork inspired by their research, which is featured in an exhibition the following year.
The Summer Soirée supports this program and will be celebrated with an evening of live music, food, and fun. The Soirée will include three hours of jazz by Razz and Friends, grazing tables and passed hors d’oeuvres by Elegant Edibles, and an open bar with wine courtesy of Johnson Estate Winery. Visitors will have full access to explore RTPI’s current exhibition, Kevin Ebi: Five Minutes in Nature, until July 21.
On Saturday, August 17, RTPI will celebrate Peterson’s 116th birthday by hosting Roger’s Bird-Day Bash. For the second year in a row, Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root will headline the event, joined by former bandmate Dirk Miller. You may hear some improvised versions of your favorite Rusted Root tunes, along with some new music. You won’t want to miss them jamming at this bash.
The event kicks off at noon, with opener Tim Britt performing a blend of covers and original music including rock, country, folk, and blues. At 1pm, singer/songwriter Miranda Wilcox will perform an eclectic set of originals as well as covers. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, with food by Sandee’s Bakery, delicious desserts by PersNikkity Pies, and a variety of beer, wine, and other beverages. Between sets, you will have full access to the exhibitions inside the museum, including Amy Tan’s Backyard Birds and Art That Matters to the Planet: Clarity.
In the fall, RTPI will host their third annual Plein Air Festival, September 11-14. Participating artists will explore the natural area that inspired Roger Tory Peterson. Over the three days, they will create artworks that capture the natural beauty of the area. Finished artworks will be displayed at the “Wet Paint” Show and Sale on Saturday, September 14, with award winners announced at a closing ceremony that evening.
That’s just some of what’s going on at RTPI this year. For more information about RTPI’s upcoming events, or if you are interested in buying tickets, you can call 716-665-2473 or visit rtpi.org. You also find information on the RTPI Facebook page.