JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER VACATION! Paint your very own eco-friendly beach bag featuring adorable African Penguins!

Join Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas (mariasIdeas.com) for a creative, new twist on our fan-favorite painting class. Designed for painters of all ages and abilities, follow Maria’s step-by-step instructions to paint a portrait of a well-loved National Aviary resident, like our resident African Penguins.

Prior to class, relax with friends and meet a National Aviary Animal Ambassador! Enjoy a glass of wine, beer, or non-alcoholic beverage and scrumptious bites, which will be available for purchase from Atria’s Specialty Catering.

Brushes & Birds classes are open to participants 8 years and older. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. No prior drawing skills necessary; a tracer will be provided!

What birds are considered one of the most misunderstood?! Vultures! Come get to know the species known for being nature’s clean-up crew during this new in-depth class for adults. As some of the Earth’s most important scavengers, vultures (Hooded, King, and more!) play a critical role in disease prevention. During this interactive class, learn about the specialized biology that allows these birds to thrive as scavengers: making sure no scraps go to waste!

Meet a National Aviary expert who has traveled to South Africa to work on vulture conservation! Discover the variety of threats vultures face from humans, why they matter, and how we can all help to protect them in the wild. As a class, you will visit Condor Court to see the Aviary’s most spectacular vulture residents (and admire their impressive wingspan). You’ll also meet a bird of prey Animal Ambassador up close (that’s right: vultures AREN’T birds of prey!) to understand the similarities AND differences between them. 

This program is designed specifically for an adult learner audience. Participants must be 18 years or older to participate.

What’s that melodious tune? Learn the answer to that question in our NEW in-depth class for adults: Southwestern Pennsylvania Birds. 

Learn from Aviary experts about the birds that commonly migrate through Pennsylvania in the fall, as well as the conservation work the Aviary does as part of the North American Songbird Saving Animals From Extinction® (SAFE) Program. Meet a feathered Animal Ambassador native to the Pittsburgh region, then finish up by taking a walk outside in Allegheny Commons Park to experience the great diversity of birds found even in urban habitats. This is class subject matter that you can easily put to use in your own backyard! 

This program is designed specifically for an adult learner audience. Participants must be 18 years or older to participate.

What tuxedoed bird is known for waddling and swimming…NOT flight? 

The National Aviary’s African Penguin colony is a favorite of visitors and staff alike. But did you know that this charming bird is a fierce aquatic predator…one who the Aviary works with in the wild as the species is at serious risk of extinction by the year 2035? During this in-depth class for adults, learn more about African Penguins and the conservation challenges they face. Learn from an Aviary expert who leads the Saving Animals from Extinction African Penguin program. They will share the threats to African Penguins and how we are part of a team, including people from North America, South Africa, and Namibia who are working together tirelessly to save them…while we still can.

This program is designed specifically for an adult learner audience. Participants must be 18 years or older to participate.