por Jay Wilson

Pleasant summer breezes are blowing through Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP), and the Visitor Center is very active with new children’s programs, art exhibitions, concerts, discovery tables and guided nature walks. Take a look at the guide below and find something fun to do!

Children’s education programs

There will be three more inspiring “Nature Tales and Trails” classes for children ages 5 through 12 with science instructor Cindy Christ. Each two-hour class is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The class begins with an entertaining, educational program in the classroom, followed by a guided nature hike and a fun-filled craft project related to the topic of the class.

The July 28 class is “Nature Detectives.” By making observations of nature, we can begin to understand the world around us.

The Aug. 11 class is “Survivors’ Adaptations.” Children will walk a trail and uncover secrets of adaptation in the natural world.

The Aug. 25 class is “In A Nutshell.” The web of life starts with a single seed. Discover the growth of one oak tree and its life-giving ways.

The “Nature Tales and Trails” summer series is appropriate for all children who want to hang out in a “cool” environment, make new friends and explore the natural beauty of Mission Trails. The cost for each class is $10 per child. Go to mtrp.org and look under “More News” for more information and registration forms. If you have additional questions, you may email Cindy Christ at [email protected].

Beginning art classes

Beginning art classes are designed for young artists. All classes are taught by artist and teacher BetteAnn Pierce. They begin at 12:30 p.m. and last for two hours.

July 25: Tigers on faux leather hides in oil pastels. Students will learn how simple, brown grocery bags can be turned into beautiful paper that looks just like leather for making fun paintings with oil pastels.

Aug. 1: Iris in mixed media. Using pencils and two different types of markers for drawing, students will use the concept of “wax resist” in a creative procedure with oil crayons and watercolor paints.

Aug. 29: Fairies and dragons. This fun lesson uses one’s imagination, colored pencils, and possible storytelling skills in creating the day’s art work.

For more information and registrations forms, go to mtrp.org and look under “More News.” You may also contact BetteAnn at [email protected] or call 619-269-7386.

Advanced art classes

Advanced art classes are appropriate for both children and adults. All classes are taught by artist and teacher BetteAnn Pierce from Art Smarts. They begin at 2:45 p.m. and last for two hours. Students will take home a completed art project.

July 25: Rendering in still life. Using charcoal, we will be creating an artwork from a still life set up in the classroom. Students will learn how to make objects appear round or flat, shaded or lit, near of far, sitting or floating, and how to effectively use the space to draw a viewer into the composition.

Aug. 1: Landscape painting. Students will learn the basics of using acrylic paint to create landscape paintings. From priming basics, to in-depth rendering, to how to “seal” your painting to preserve it.

Aug. 29: Macro and the micro. In this class, students will create visual art works incorporating what is seen with the naked eye AND a microscopic view using “The Foldscope,” an origami microscope.

For more information and registrations forms, go to mtrp.org and look under “More News.” You may also contact BetteAnn at [email protected] or call 619-269-7386.

Art exhibition

“Art Telling” is the next art exhibition, on view from July 18 to Aug. 14. The eight artists divided this show into 10 groups around words that have become part of their artistic language. They have each written short notes of reflection on the pieces in the show. They hope you enjoy this show, where language and art converge to inspire.

The next exhibition, from Aug. 15 to Sept. 11, features incredible photography by Dolwain Green.

Concerts

Renowned San Diego-based jazz guitarist Peter Sprague returns to the Visitor Center theater on Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m. Los Angeles Times critic Leonard Feather described Prague as “one of the emergent great guitarists.”

On Aug. 2, outstanding vocalist Lillian Palmer is scheduled to return to the Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center is one of many great features of MTRP. Take a hike, enjoy the Old Mission Dam, spend a weekend camping at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground or look at the universe during a Star Party. The events calendar at mtrp.org is full of exciting things to see and do.

—Jay Wilson is executive director of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. Reach him at [email protected].