Animals After Dark
About the Exibit
Across North America, native birds and pollinators face steep declines from habitat loss, pesticides, and changing climates.
This outdoor exhibit features 12 large hand-painted mixed-media works to draw attention to the beauty and vulnerability of our wildlife. Each piece of art is backlit and placed along a ½ mile loop trail for a one-of-a-kind winter viewing experience.
One key feature of the exhibit is the Katahdin Arctic Butterfly (Oeneis polixenes katahdin). The Katahdin arctic is a yellowish-brown medium-sized butterfly known for its semi-translucent wings. This species is found nowhere else on earth besides the tableland of Mount Katahdin. It is a highly protected relic of the last ice age. Its survival depends entirely on protecting fragile alpine tundra.
In addition, the exhibit includes:
Loggerhead Shrike
Golden-Cheeked Warbler
Whooping Crane
Florida Scrub-Jay
Northern Spotted Owl
Burrowing Owl
Monarch Butterfly
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Peregrine Falcon
Bald Eagle
Each large painting is accompanied by an informational sign describing the species and its habitat.
The experience of viewing the exhibit is enhanced by the presentation. Each painting is back-lit with lights to slowly brighten and dim providing an opportunity to examine the gradations of color and light.
About the Artist
Russell Ronat
San Francisco–based artist Russell Ronat created Project Holocene, an international initiative using large scale illuminated artwork outdoors to inspire global support for endangered species. "The loss of many species of wildlife is a crisis,” he notes, adding, “I create my work to show the beauty of wild animals that are in peril. My hope is Project Holocene speaks clearly about the importance of conservation."
FAQs
- Exhibit Hours & Tickets
The exhibit opens November 19th and runs through February 6th.
Visitor hours are on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4pm-7pm.
The exhibit will generally be open unless a severe storm makes travel prohibitive. If you're unsure of any of the details call 207-626-7989, or email info@vilesarboretum.org.
Ticket may be purchased online or at the door
Adult Ticket: $18
Member Ticket: $12
Child Ticket: $10
Large groups: Purchases of 10 or more adult tickets in the same order automatically receive a 25% discount
- Exhibit Map
Coming soon!
- Accessibility
We are committed to providing every individual with the information they need to determine if our space is accessible to them. Below are details about the exhibit trail and what you may encounter. Please reach out with any questions that aren't answered below.
Trail length: 0.5 miles
Trail surfaces: mowed grass, gravel, snow or ice covered
Obstacles you may encounter: sloped trails, uneven surfaces, roots or rocks, snow covered or icy trails
- Parking
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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