Nature-Inspired Art Exhibit 'Artisan Woods' Grand Opening Set for June 21 at Arbor Day Farm's Tree Adventure Attraction

Nebraska City, Neb. (June 16, 2009) – Artisan Woods, an outdoor showcase of structures and art at Arbor Day Farm's Tree Adventure attraction, will open to the public on Sunday, June 21.

Nature-inspired work by nine regional artists will be exhibited during Artisan Woods, the first in a series of annual outdoor exhibits planned at the Tree Adventure. Works created for Artisan Woods will be on display until Oct. 31.

Guests will experience the wonders of trees and nature in a unique way through the Artisan Woods exhibits. Guests will walk through a limb tunnel made of lathes from hardwood trees, see a sprout from a giant acorn, climb inside and explore a human-sized bird's nest, discover larger-than-life chairs made from stained cedar wood and see elements of a tree hidden below the surface.

"Through the exhibits of Artisan Woods, visitors to the Tree Adventure will explore nature in a very unique way," said Beverly Todd, director of the Tree Adventure at Arbor Day Farm. "To take in these beautiful structures as you explore the Tree Adventure will enhance one's sense of the natural world. This is an experience that children and adults alike will enjoy as they explore the trails and woods of the Tree Adventure."

Artists selected to showcase their work during Artisan Woods were: Matthew Burke, assistant professor of art, and John Hachmeister, associate professor of art, of the University of Kansas; Leslie T. Iwai, Karla Karr, Chuck Turner and Leslie Bruning of Omaha; Carl Weiss and Adam Weiss of Springfield; and Beth O'Hanlon of Lincoln.

"The Tree Adventure is very organic and inspiring for an artist," said Iwai, whose work Life Below: Exposing the Roots will be on display during Artisan Woods.

Visitors to the Tree Adventure will experience Artisan Woods from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the Tree Adventure is $6.50 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 3-12 and free for children 3 and under.

For more information about Artisan Woods, go to www.arbordayfarm.org.

Arbor Day Farm is a 260-acre historic landmark located in Nebraska City owned and operated by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation. It is the only education complex of its kind in the nation dedicated to trees, conservation and environmental stewardship. The Tree Adventure attraction and the world-class Lied Lodge & Conference Center are located at Arbor Day Farm.

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About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.