Drawn to Nature: Create Your Own Bay Postcard

Creating Your Own Bay Postcard

Drawn to Nature is a calm and beginner friendly creative walk that helps participants connect with the Upper Newport Bay through simple field sketching.

Using only a postcard sized card and provided art supplies, participants will observe shapes, patterns, plants, and wildlife while creating their own personal Bay Postcard.

Each participant leaves with a small hand drawn keepsake from the Bay, something they can keep for themselves or mail to a friend to share their experience.

This is a no pressure activity that focuses on slowing down, noticing nature, and deepening appreciation for the estuary.

Participant Requirements

• Minimum Age: 8 years old

• Fitness Level: All participants are expected to walk short distances (approximately 5 minutes at a slow walking pace each time) to three stops along the Upper Newport Bay near the Muth Center, and to be able to draw on a postcard with provided art supplies while standing or sitting down (approximately 10-15 minutes each time) at three locations near the Muth Center. No seats will be provided other than what is available in nature, so if portable seat cushions or chairs are needed, please plan to bring them and be able to carry them for the duration of the program.

• Registration: Advanced registration required.

What to Expect

• Location: Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center (see map and full address below)

• Schedule: We will start with a brief orientation at the Muth Center to check in, distribute postcards and art supplies, and to discuss sketching strategies. We will then walk to three different spots near the Muth Center. At each stop, a volunteer naturalist guide will briefly discuss a different aspect of nature to focus on that is unique to Upper Newport Bay (birds, plants, or landscapes). Drawing prompts will be provided at each stop, and participants will observe the natural surroundings and complete a portion of their sketch for that stop. All stops are within a short walking distance, and the program follows a loop returning to the starting location. At the conclusion of the program, we will regroup at the Muth Center and briefly share our observations and completed postcards. Stamps will be provided so that postcards can be mailed.

• No Art Experience Necessary: No prior art experience is necessary to participate in this program. The focus is on connecting with nature, observing our surroundings, instead of creating artistic masterpieces. 

• Art Supplies Provided: All art supplies needed to participate in this program will be provided. At the end of the program, participants will be able to take their completed postcards home, with a stamp for mailing.

• What to Wear/Bring: Please wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind potentially getting dirty, as we will be walking in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve near the Muth Center, and surfaces can be uneven. Feel free to bring water bottles to stay hydrated during the program. If you anticipate needing to sit down during the 10-15-minute drawing periods, please bring any portable seat cushions or light chairs that you may need. 

• Facilities: Free parking is available at the Muth Center. Public restrooms are also available at the Muth Center but will not be easily accessible during the walking and drawing portion of the tour, so please use the restroom prior to the start of the program.

• Adverse weather will move the program fully indoors.

Why You Should Join Us

Participants will:

• Build observation skills by noticing shapes, textures, lines, and patterns in the Bay.

• Experience a calm and mindful way of exploring the estuary.

• Create a simple take home Bay Postcard that reflects their personal moment in nature.

• Strengthen their connection to the Bay and the feelings it inspires.

• Gain an opportunity to share their experience with friends or family by mailing their postcard.

• Increase appreciation for the estuary and its ecological value.