LIGONIER– The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier is excited to announce the return of our Monarchs, Milkweed and More event. In collaboration with Penguin Court and Brandywine Conservancy, the event will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2024. This family event is designed to enrich and educate children and adults on various pollinators and native flora. A donation of $10 per family is suggested, and the proceeds will be used to help support the gardens and our important pollinators.
Melissa Reckner and the staff from Penguin Court will be tagging the Monarchs, so their progress can be monitored and shared. Help catch, tag and release! Enjoy a lecture titled, “Mysterious Moths”, by author Chelsea Gottfried. Visit special organizations / stations set up outside including Penn State Master Gardeners of Westmoreland County, Westmoreland Pollinator Partners, Westmoreland Land Trust, a PA Master Naturalist, Powdermill Nature Reserve, Discover Westmoreland, and Dark Skies International. Each organization will have a special activity or provide you with valuable information. SAMA will have its Monarch wishing tree back this year. Purchase a special paper Monarch you can write your wish, tie it to the “Wishing Tree” and make your wish! Proceeds go toward protecting our pollinators!
In addition, plein air artists from our region will be creating beautiful artwork of our gardens that will be available for purchase. Watch them paint and purchase their amazing work! They will be scattered throughout the lovely gardens. Of particular significance, SAMA is pleased to be the location for the awards ceremony of the Penguin Court, Pennsylvania Pollinator Photo Challenge. The finalists will be on display in the Museum, and awards will be given throughout the afternoon. For more information on this contest managed by Penguin Court visit www.brandywine.org/photo-contest.
Monarchs, Milkweed, and More was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation administered through the Pennsylvania Environmental Council"s Laurel Highlands Mini Grant Program.
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art is located at One Boucher Lane & Route 711 South, Ligonier, PA 15658. The hours of operation are 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The museum is an accessible facility and is open to the public free of charge. Donations allow us to continue providing free and low-cost educational services, cultural event programming, and regional artistic exhibitions. For more information, visit https://www.sama-art.org or call (724) 238-6015 or email ligonier@sama-art.org and like us on Facebook and Instagram @SAMAligonier.
