ORONO – The Edith Marion Patch Center for Entomology, the Environment and Education and the University of Maine Page Farm and Home Museum will offer a free public educational forum, “Field Sketching: A Hands-on Opportunity to Reproduce the Art of Nature” from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Page Farm and Home Museum on the Orono campus.

Those of all ages are welcome to learn the art of field sketching from Carrie Graham, a student of entomology and a talented nature artist. Graham will make a brief presentation about her art and inspiration, followed by an opportunity for everyone to sketch a variety of subjects – living creatures, stationary objects and things that may be found in nature.

Participants are encouraged to bring a sketchbook and drawing supplies. Some materials will be available.

The event is the 16th in a series of gatherings sponsored by the Edith Marion Patch Center for Entomology, the Environment and Education and held at the Page Farm and Home Museum. The forum series focuses on science and the environment, in celebration of the life and work of Edith Marion Patch, the first woman scientist employed by UM. Patch was a world-renowned entomologist, a pioneer environmentalist and a beloved author of nature stories for children.

For information about the Patch Center forums or the Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch, call Mary Bird at 581-2434, or e-mail mary.bird@umit.maine.edu, or Tiffany Wilson, 581-3288, e-mail tiffany.wilson@umit.maine.edu.