Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
PO Box 173, 23 Science Center Road,
Holderness, NH 03245
Tel: 603-968-7194
www.nhnature.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 9, 2010
Christine Cherry, 603-968-7194 x 34 or christine.cherry@nhnature.org
Holderness, NH – The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has just opened a new exhibit featuring a collection of intricately carved and hand painted life-sized birds. The 80 carvings representing 74 species of fresh water and ocean birds are part of a collection of 241 pieces donated to the Science Center earlier this year by Joyce and Marty Briner.
Joyce and Marty Briner are a team. Not only a partnership through a marriage of more than 60 years, they have collaborated as artists for almost as long. Joyce grew up in a family of birders in Westtown, in southeastern Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. She was an elementary school teacher, a teaching aide for special education students, and also did illustrations for magazines and children’s science textbooks. Joyce taught Marty how to carve; she always uses hand tools and still carves and paints her own designs. Joyce also meticulously paints all the sculptures Marty produces, using numerous books as reference to get the colors and patterns just right.
Marty grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Muhlenberg College, which he attended on the GI Bill after serving in the south Pacific, including Okinawa, during World War II. Prior to the war, Marty worked as a machinist, where he learned about dimensioning in his job making rocket shells, skills later translated to creating animal carvings.
Marty Briner explains that the process of carving starts with a block of clear wood (no knots) of even hardness and straight grain. It is cut to the rough size of the finished piece and then coarse sanded to round the edges. Next, a soft sander brings out the form a bit more. Fine hand tools are further used to shape the piece. Wood burning tools form the feathers and other details. Eyes are glass; the same as taxidermists use. “Then the sculpture is painstakingly hand-painted by Joyce -- including building an eye ring. Realistic feet are made of pewter casts purchased from a supplier,” explained Marty. The bird is mounted on a piece of driftwood or a finished base.
Retired since 1983, the Briners have won awards from carving clubs where they also did demonstrations, lessons, and served as judges. The Briners have lived in Elkins, New Hampshire since 2003, with one of their three daughters. They also have one son and nine grandchildren. In their 80s now, they plan to move later this year to a retirement home in Durham, North Carolina. Downsizing their belongings, they made a decision to donate most of their Birds of New England collection to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, where it will continue to teach children about the natural world
“This display shows only about a third of the whole collection,“ said Iain MacLeod, Executive Director of the Science Center. “We would like to create a permanent exhibit of the entire collection of 241 carvings as a lasting tribute to the Briners and their years of pains-taking work.” MacLeod added that as a birder and an artist himself he can appreciate the amazing level of detail and skill that went into each and every piece. “We at the Science Center are thrilled to be the recipients of this collection and proud to showcase the Briner’s body of work,” he added.
The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center trails and exhibits are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last admission 3:30 p.m.) through November 1. The Briner bird carvings are located in the Trailhead Gallery and can be seen as part of a general admission to the exhibit trail. In addition to the Briner exhibit, the trail features exhibits with live native New Hampshire wildlife in natural settings including Mountain Lion, Black Bear, Red Fox, Fisher, White-tailed Deer, River Otter, Striped Skunk, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk and American Kestrel.
Visitors may also enjoy a stroll through Kirkwood Gardens where there is an artisans gallery and Café. In July and August there are five-times-daily live animal programs presented by Science Center staff and docents featuring a variety of animals including Beaver, Opossum, Woodchuck, Coyote, Snakes, and Turtles, as well as variety of owls, hawks, and falcons. Also every day in July and August visitors can stroll through the StorywalkTM -- an interactive children’s book. The Science Center also features three-times-daily pontoon boat tours of Squam Lake and the Howling Coyote Gift Shop
For more details about events, admission fees, upcoming programs, lake cruises, and membership go to www.nhnature.org or call 603-968-7194.
About Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
The mission of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center) is to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world. Through spectacular live animal exhibits, natural science education programs, and lake cruises, the Science Center has educated and enlightened visitors for more than forty years about the importance of our natural world. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is located on Route 113 in Holderness, an easy drive from exit 24 off I-93, and is open daily from May 1 through November 1.
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Christine Cherry
Marketing Manager
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
PO Box 173, 23 Science Center Road
Holderness, NH 03245
603-968-7194 x 34
603-968-2229 fax
www.nhnature.org
