Homosassa Springs state park focuses on artists, fitness
Park Services Specialist
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is starting the new year with the introduction of monthly themes focusing on our natural and cultural resources and opportunities in Florida State Parks.
A manatee eats lettuce at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. FILE
February will have two themes. The first will spotlight artists; famous and current. This theme was selected to celebrate the famous American artist Winslow Homer who visited Homosassa later in this life to enjoy the fishing opportunities and natural beauty of the Homosassa area. This inspired him to create 11 beautiful watercolors in February 1904. An exhibit of prints of Homer’s Florida and tropical watercolors is featured in the Florida Room at the Park’s Visitor Center. You can visit Artsy’s Winslow Homer page .
Keeping with the artists’ theme, Homosassa Springs state park will be hosting two art shows in February. The first will be the Wildlife Park Arts & Crafts Show at the Visitor Center on Saturday. This show and sale will display the arts and crafts of members of the community. The show and sale will include paintings, photography, crafts, and books.
Next weekend, the art work of members of the Citrus Watercolor Club will be exhibited with original paintings, prints, cards, and more offered for sale. The club has 135 members. About 35 members will exhibit their work at the annual art show. The Club will donate 20 percent of all sales from the Arts in the Park show to the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.
In February, the Park will also promote many ways to get fit in Florida State Parks. In addition to the Park’s monthly bird walks and ongoing Tai Chi classes, the Park will introduce a series of four exercise/fitness classes on alternating Monday mornings in the Florida Room. These will be taught by Patti and Steve Griffith and will focus on improving balance, range of motion and strength. These exercises and practices are useful in improving a person’s ability to perform normal, daily tasks.
Citrus County Audubon will lead a monthly bird walk on Pepper Creek Trail on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 8:00 a.m. Meet at 7:45 a.m. if you are interested in participating. Register by calling (352) 628-5343.
As you can see, we have a lot planned for February and encourage you to visit Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
