Calling all young artists!

We're proud to continue the 18th Annual Youth Art Contest. This year's theme is "North America's Natural Beauty," and submissions are being accepted until Wednesday, June 1, 2011.

Aspiring artists grades 1 through 12 (or equivalent) are encouraged to enter the contest - all entrants will receive a Ned Smith Center Signature Series patch. All art should feature wildlife or plants that are native to North America - any piece featuring non-native species will be disqualified.

Entries are categorized by the artist's age: grades 1-3, grades 4-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12. First, second, and third place winners and an honorable mention winner will be delected from each category. Certificates and ribbons will be awarded at the Ned Smith Center Nature and Arts Festival on July 30, 2011.

All entries must be submitted with an official entry form (available for download HERE) and complete contest rules are available on the Center's website.

Questions? Contact Beth Sanders, Director of Education at 717-692-3699.

Hope to see you at the Center soon!

Geocaching, native plants and hiking, oh my!

Happy spring, friends of the Center!

The weather is lovely, and we're itchin' to get outside! We have two great events this week to help you shake off winter's icy shackles for good.

First up is The Art of Geocaching with special guest Troy Caslow of Bass Pro Shops this Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m. in the Center's Seraph Education Room. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. amilies are encouraged to join us for this fun-filled program as we learn how to get started in this family-fun sport while we discover if we have a geocache on the property of the Ned Smith Center. Admission is FREE to members and children under 12, $3 otherwise.

Then on Saturday, May 15 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. you can get your garden ready at our 13th Annual Native Plant Sale! The Center has teamed up with Meadowood Nursery for this annual tradition. The Plant Sale grown into one of the largest of its kind in central Pennsylvania, with more that 150 species of native wildflowers, ferns, grasses, trees and shrubs, all chosen for their beauty, hardiness and wildlife value. Native gardening experts will be on hand to answer questions and help you select the right plants for your gardens. All plants are nursery propagated.

And while you're here, be sure to check out the amazing progress on the construction of the Bradenbaugh-Hottenstein Arts and Education Collections Wing and take a hike on our trails!

For additional information on these events, visit our website or connect with us on a host of social media outlets, all listed below. Have a great day and we hope to see you soon!

Native Plant Sale - Saturday, May 14

Is your garden looking a little bleak? Brighten it up with native plants! The Center is holding its 13th Annual Native Plant Sale next Saturday, May 14, with a huge selection of beautiful native plants supplied by Meadowood Nursery in Hummelstown! The event is happening from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Center.

The Plant Sale grown into one of the largest of its kind in central Pennsylvania, with more that 150 species of native wildflowers, ferns, grasses, trees and shrubs, all chosen for their beauty, hardiness and wildlife value. Native gardening experts from the Ned Smith Center, Meadowood AND the Dauphin County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and help you select the right plants for your gardens. All plants are nursery propagated.

Stop by and check out the fabulous selection of native plants and our progress on the Bradenbaugh-Hottenstein Arts and Education Collections Wing! Hope to see you next Saturday!

Construction update, summer camps and more!

Well, spring has sprung, and there's been LOTS of progress on the Bradenbaugh-Hottenstein Arts and Education Collections Wing! Oh, and construction on an ADA-accessible elevator has begun, thanks to a generous grant from Dauphin County.

Check out the photos below to see our progress!

This will be an elevator!

Siding on the back of the building



Entrance from the new Ned Smith Gallery into the Romberger Hallway Gallery



Stone facing!

Stay tuned for more updates on our progress as we near the end of this exciting project.

On a programming note, registration is officially OPEN for our 2011 Summer Camps! They're filling up quickly, so if you're looking for some summer edu-tainment for a budding young conservationist in your life, call the Center at 717-692-3699 or register online!

And there's no better place to enjoy beautiful weather than on our trails... come visit us soon!

You Could Drive a Person Crazy!

We are excited to continue our 2010-2011 Arts and Entertainment Series with "You Could Drive a Person Crazy: A Cabaret Evening of Stephen Sondheim" at Gamut Classic Theatre in Harrisburg! The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9. Friday evening's performance will feature a special post-show reception with the actors and director, with wine, hors d'ouevres and great company!

Directed by Stuart Landon, the show features some of Stephen Sondheim's most loved songs performed by six actors: Landon, Gamut Theatre core company actor/development director David Ramon Zayas, actor and vocal teacher Michael Zorger, area actresses Rebecca Mease Doble and Allison Graham, and former Gamut Core Company actor and current Ned Smith Center Director of Creative Programming Alexis Dow Campbell.

“You Could Drive a Person Crazy” features selections from Company, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Evening Primrose, Follies and more. Tickets are $25 per person, or $22 for Ned Smith Center members. If you'd like to attend the reception Friday, tickets are $40 per person, or $38 for Ned Smith Center members. Order by calling Gamut Theatre at 717-238-4111 or order online by clicking the button below!

Construction Update!

It's a beautiful day, so we couldn't resist taking a walk and taking some photos of the construction!

The first peek at the 2nd floor of the building wing, which will include the new Ned Smith gallery and collections storage area.

The roof!

Enjoy this beautiful springlike weather - the trails are gorgeous and the air is fresh and sweet at the Ned Smith Center.

Construction Update!

We haven't done a construction update on the Center's blog in a while, but that doesn't mean that we're not making progress! Thanks to the miracles of modern technology, construction on the new Bradenbaugh-Hottenstein Arts and Education Collections Wing has continued throughout the winter!

The view of the new wing from the parking lot.

Lower level - it's pretty muddy back here!

The future women's restroom!

This will become the Center's very own observational beehive!

The Lorena Feidt Lemons Educational Suite