Poet and naturalist Kristen Lindquist will be with us at the Gilley on Nov. 15 to teach an introductory haiku workshop. She’ll share a brief history of this intriguing art form, which originated in Japan more than 500 years ago and evolved as a nature poem. Kristen will share what makes a poem a haiku (it’s probably not what you think), and how haiku are written today in the United States. Then she will guide students through writing their own haiku.

This session of Bird Chatter will begin indoors at Wendell Gilley Museum. After a brief update on the latest bird news, participants will car caravan to a local hotspot or two, led by field ornithologist Seth Benz. The destination depends upon area bird activity – tentative stops include the Southwest Harbor Coast Guard Station and Seawall Beach/Picnic Area. Grebes, loons, and sea ducks are likely species to share the spotlight. And at least one prediction, from the Finch Research Network, forecasts a good finch incursion in 2025 – think Crossbills!

Bring binoculars; a spotting scope will be provided. Binoculars are available to borrow from the Gilley with advance notice; make a note in the comments section when you sign up. Be sure to dress in layers suitable for the weather. Group size is limited to 14.

Mattie Rose Templeton is inspired by the natural world, and through art she explores our connection to nature, including the undeniable fragility that is found there. Her goal is to produce art that moves the viewer beyond the piece itself, and into a place of storytelling. “Art has always been a way to record history through visual storytelling,” she says.

Using an “old-fashioned” ink well, with variously sized nibs, Mattie Rose works with texture and line, often avoiding the use of color, because she finds the contrast of black and white more dramatic. She adds a conceptual quality to her art with geometric shapes and patterns layered into an otherwise realistic piece.

Mattie Rose will be at the Wendell Gilley Museum in person to share her storytelling as the museum’s People-Nature-Art presenter for December on Tuesday, Dec. 2. There will be a 6 p.m. artist’s reception followed by her presentation at 7 p.m. which will happen in person and simultaneously livecast. Both in-person and online attendance is free, but registration is required at www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/calendar.

Use carving tools and wood-burning to create an owl ornament this December in a  workshop at the Wendell Gilley Museum. The class is suitable for beginners but carvers of all levels are welcome. Participants will start with a pre-cut wooden blank, then shape and woodburn it. Students must be at least 12 years old.

The workshop will be offered twice: Saturday, Dec. 6 from noon to 3pm, and Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. It will be led by Lynda Millar, who teaches woodburning, carving and papercutting at the Gilley. The cost is $32 for Museum members, and $39 for non-members.  Class size is limited.