![\""Freedom"](\"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Thurston_Freedom570.jpg\")
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RALEIGH\u2014The Nature Art Gallery<\/a> at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences presents “The Great Outdoors,” artwork by Robert Thurston, now through Sunday, January 29, 2017.<\/p>\n Thurston is an oil painter living and working in Durham, NC.\u00a0 He was born in Rochester, NH, where he spent most of his adult life. He says developing his craft has been a labor of love. Diagnosed late in life with ADHD, art has proven to be very therapeutic for him, although challenging at times.\u00a0 It has helped his focus and patience, both necessary for the desired end result. What started 30+ years ago as a hobby has given a special grace and purpose to his daily being. In 2014, he completed a 9-month Masters Art class during which he created 38 works of\u00a0art.<\/p>\n He is primarily self-taught, but studied with various local professional artists. A member of the Durham Art Guild, Thurston says the creative process continues to enrich his life.\u00a0 It’s his hope that the general public can feel awe when viewing his work, enjoy wildlife and the outdoors, and realize the part we play in keeping it all alive. When creating a painting, Thurston says the artist is pulled into a place where he is lost in time. \u201cI love experimenting with other painting styles to keep it fresh and fun,\u201d says Thurston. \u201cIt is important to always move forward for the love of art.\u201d Thurston\u2019s achievements have been recognized throughout New Hampshire and North Carolina in art shows, fairs and multiple newspaper articles.<\/p>\n The Nature Art Gallery is located on the top floor of the Museum Store (1st<\/sup> floor, main building). Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4:45 p.m. All exhibited art is for sale.\u00a0 For more information about the Nature Art Gallery, call 919.707.9854.<\/p>\n The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (11 W. Jones St. and 121 W. Jones St.) in downtown Raleigh, is the state’s most visited cultural attraction. It is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world, drawing them into the intriguing fields of study that are critical to the future of North Carolina. Hours: Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the <\/em>Web at <\/em>www.naturalsciences.org<\/em><\/a>. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Director; Susan Kluttz, Secretary<\/em>, <\/strong>N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Pat McCrory, Governor.<\/em><\/p>\n About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.<\/em><\/p>\n NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit <\/em>www.ncdcr.gov<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12103,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/12102"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/12102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalsciences.org\/calendar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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