Long a haven for creative and curious souls, the Murie Center — former home of environmentalists Olaus and Mardy Murie — is redefining itself, as it has been since the passing of Mardy, in 2003.

The Murie Ranch, a National Historic Landmark located in Grand Teton National Park, is just up the road, then down a gentler road, from the new Grand Teton National Park Visitor’s Center in Moose, Wyoming.  The Center still feels like the Park’s best kept secret; hours that it is open to the public are limited, however group tours are offered free of charge every Monday and Thursday, 2:00 p.m.

The Center, “Conservation’s Home,” has a mission to “engage people to understand and commit to the enduring value of conserving wildlife in wild places.”

July 22-25, the Murie Center will conduct an Avian Art and Writing Workshop. An extensive three and a half day schedule includes such activities as an introduction to Olaus Murie’s artwork, exploratory writing sessions and exercises, meals, bird watching and sketching activities.    The Teton Raptor Center is providing live birds as inspiration and subject matter for sketchers, painters, writers, photographers and sculptors.

Long time valley resident and accomplished plein air painter Greg McHuron leads the sketching workshops; McHuron’s work is represented by Trailside Galleries in Jackson.  He recently co-authored “Birds of Sage and Scree,” with valley ornithologist Bert Raynes.   and Jackson-based writer Susan Marsh will conduct writing classes.

Sculptor Greg Woodard (represented locally by Altamira Fine Art) will provide a sculpting demonstration.

$595 includes lodging in a Murie Ranch cabin for three nights, all meals and tuition; $395 includes all meals and tuition only.  The Murie Center has provided the following tentative schedule of events – for more information email info@muriecenter.org or phone 307.739.2246.

Thursday, July 22

5:30 pm – Welcome reception

6:30 pm – Dinner at Homestead Cabin

7:30 pm – Introduction to the Murie Center and Olaus Murie artwork – guest presenter Dr. Jamie Cornelius talks about tracking the red crossbill on the Ranch as a Murie Center biologist-in-residence.

Friday, July 23

8 am – Breakfast at Homestead Cabin

9 am – Exploratory writing session with Susan Marsh around the Murie Ranch

12 pm – Lunch at Homestead Cabin

2 pm – Greg Woodard sculpting demonstration with live birds from Teton Raptor Center

3 pm – Writing exercise with Susan Marsh and live birds from Teton Raptor Center

5 pm – Dinner at Homestead Cabin

6 pm – Avian bird-watching/photography

Saturday, July 24

8 am – Breakfast at Homestead Cabin

9 am – Greg McHuron and Dwayne Harty lead avian sketching session

12 pm – Lunch at Homestead Cabin

2 pm – Greg McHuron leads avian sketching session with live birds from Teton Raptor Center

5 pm – Dinner at Homestead Cabin

6 pm – Avian bird-watching/photography

Sunday, July 25

8 am – Breakfast at Homestead Cabin

10 am – 12 pm – Tours and demonstrations on-site at the Teton Raptor Center in Wilson ($10)