Groundhog Day! The old Pennsylvania German holiday every February 2nd that fosters hope and gathering in spite of the cold was celebrated again this year at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
Art Sphere Inc. has connected with the refuge in Tinicum, right outside Philadelphia for years, inspiring children, parents, friends, and teaching volunteers alike. This year two teaching volunteers came to share a few crafts with the children who came to visit.
The tall glass windows of the welcoming, educational Visitor Center let in great warmth, along with cheery folk music from a live band.
Teaching volunteers for Art Sphere Inc. came to help kids make lovely crafts of groundhogs and pop-up cards welcoming either further winter or an early spring.
One young girl (on right) struck some innovative spark by turning the rectangle from the cut-out sheet into a patch of green grass and colored burrow entrance for her groundhog.
Two children work on the cut-out craft, making beautiful groundhogs and learning to make pop-up cards for when they were at home.
We were lucky enough to spot a couple wild turkeys mid-crafting and pointed them out to the children and their parents.
It was altogether a very welcoming, creative, and fun event for the children, parents, and volunteers.
Many participating children were inspired to bring more coloring sheets and paper home and the connection between people, art, care, and stalwart celebration through winter was forged again, whether Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this year or not (and he did!). Every season is art season and all children are born artists. Come create with us!