About OSMP and the Arts

OSMP and the Arts connects people to the land through creative art programs and hikes. Join OSMP naturalists and local artists to discover nature in unique ways. A variety of medias have been explored through this program, from music and dance to the written word, sketching, watercolor, collage, and photography. We welcome all ages and artistic skill levels.

Upcoming Programs

Art Hike - Look Closely

Location: Flagstaff – Meeting at the Nature Center

Date and time: Thursday June 13, 9 am -12 pm

“Look closely. The beautiful may be small”. Immanuel Kant Escape into the peace of Nature to practice mindfulness in the moment as we examine personal meanings of beauty in small things. Then create a representation of that beauty in a mode of your choice - collage, drawing, watercolor, photography or a medium of your choice. Art supplies are provided if you choose not to bring your own.

Mmmwhah! to Flagstaff with Creativity Alive

Location: Flagstaff Sunrise Amphitheater (by reservation)

Date and time: Tuesday, June 18, 6:30-7:30 pm

Please join us for a Mmmwhahsome! celebration of the Solstice with Creativity Alive at Flagstaff's Sunrise Amphitheater, with Music, Movement, Mindfulness -- whoa! and -- Art = the sound of a great big kiss: Mmmwhah! Enjoy live music and a choir performance by "A Big Beautiful Noise Choir," watch live painting by Lisa Michot, then join in, as you feel inspired, in a participatory, creative expression of gratitude to this area of tremendous beauty and inspiration. Feel free to join us in song or bring sketch books or art-making materials that will leave no trace, or just relax and enjoy. All ages welcome. Creativity Alive is a multi-disciplinary arts organization, based in Boulder, Colorado with a mission To Inspire Creativity & To Build Community: www.CreativityAlive.org.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

- Albert Einstein
Woman in OSMP and the Arts Program

What participants say

"Thank you for arranging the wonderful morning of Improvisational Singing! Five stars for everything. On scale of 1-10, this was a 12. Celeste’s enthusiasm, rapport, knowledge, clarity, and receptivity are all excellent."

“I liked the size of the group…large enough to be varied, but small enough for the group to be cohesive….good mix of ages.”

What did you like about the program? “Being outside, sitting, being present with surroundings…”

“It was wonderful to take in the beauty of OSMP with the specific intent of expressing through art a couple hours later! I liked that the art form was brand new to me and required no special skill, and the process was short enough that we were able to leave with several finished pieces.”

“This idea of blending art with learning and appreciating OSMP lands is a marvelous idea! It seems to be getting new people out appreciating the lands-there was one woman in the class who had never hiked before…and I think now she might be a little hooked.”

“The pace was very comfortable and pleasant. Lots of time for contemplation and reflection.”

“The artist en couraged us to see ourselves in nature and stimulated us to take time to see the beauty around us and feel the emotion.”

“(This program) helped me see with new eyes…”

“OSMP provides many artistic opportunities. Even a brief hike reveals a variety of natural colors, textures, scenes and juxtapositions that can be translated into art forms.”

“(I gained) new appreciation for the many colors and textures in nature as I began to see rocks, grass, cones, etc from the perspective of the artistic techniques one could use to represent them.”