Valley Forge third-graders create art for Audubon center

Visitors to the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove in Montgomery County in the last few months of winter can peruse a special art show - stocked entirely by the work of third-graders from Valley Forge Elementary School in the Tredyffrin-Easttown District.

The Valley Forge students and the Audubon center, which honors the artist and ornithologist, have cooperated in an educational partnership since 2003, with third-graders embarking on three field trips per year to the center. Students record their trips creatively, through sketches and drawings done both at the center and back at school. Their artwork has been on display in the second-floor gallery of the Audubon museum since Feb.1.

The display, entitled "Unlocking the World," features nearly 100 nature-themed pieces penned by Valley Forge students. When the show is done on March 20 the students will sell the art at school, and the funds, combined with a bake sale, will go to benefit the Audubon center. Valley Forge students raised more than $1,000 last year for the center.

The John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove is located at 1201 Pawlings Road in Audubon. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.