Field Museum Artist-in-Residence to Address Des Plaines History Center

Peggy Macnamara, internationally recognized painter and artist-in-residence at the Field Museum of Natural History, will speak at the Des Plaines History Center's upcoming Coffee Talk. All members of the public are invited to hear her lecture at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019.

Macnamara has years of experience as both a naturalist artist and author. The books she has both written and illustrated include "Architecture by Birds and Insects: A Natural Art" and "The Peregrine Returns: The Art and Architecture of an Urban Raptor Recovery." Several of her water color paintings depicting birds, insects and plants are now on display in the Des Plaines History Center's gallery space. This lecture kicks off Macnamara's three month show at the Des Plaines History Center.

Macnamara explains her love of art and how she was drawn to paint the natural world around her: "The fact is, I did what the painters before me did. I painted outside. I took a year early on and went to the same spot outside and recorded what I saw. This was richer than any color class."

In tandem with displaying Macnamara's paintings, the Des Plaines History Center is hosting two "Hands on History" events for children, ages 5 to 12, and their families. All attendees will have the opportunity to observe nature and create art in the style of Peggy Macnamara. Interpretive Curator Emma Marston will host both sessions on Wednesday, Feb. 6, and repeated the following Sunday, Feb. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. Due to the generosity of VFW Post 2992, both "Hands on History" events are free.