Queens, N.Y. - The Horseshoe Crab’s Crown, an exhibit outlining the creation of the children’s book written by Heather Feather and illustrated by Valentina Gallup, will open on June 9. There will be a live reading at 1:30 p.m., followed by the exhibit opening and reception from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. This exhibit will be on display for two months.
Heather Kramer, who writes as Heather Feather, has a background in nature education for young children. She has worked for numerous organizations including Gateway National Recreation Area, and has written educational programs and lesson plans for ARTSinPARTS, KidsmART, the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance and NYC H2O. Kramer became fascinated with horseshoe crabs after witnessing their spawning while leading school groups on field trips to Jamaica Bay. As a nature educator she noticed the effect that these ancient creatures had on children, and was inspired by their enthusiasm to create this book.
Valentina Gallup is a Rockaway-based artist who helps others find the magic in reality by creating new ways to see everyday objects. Her representational paintings leave people traveling between the fantastic and the tangible. She is inspired by everything and consequently inspires those around her to look a little closer.
Attendees are encouraged to wear crowns and fancy hats to the opening.
About Gateway National Recreation Area
Gateway is a large diverse urban park with 27,000 acres spanning Sandy Hook in N.J. and Jamaica Bay and Staten Island in N.Y. It offers green spaces, beaches, wildlife and outdoor recreation, all alongside historic structures and cultural landscapes. It is the 4th most visited National Park Service unit with more than 9.2 million annual visitors. For more information about Gateway, visit www.nps.gov/gate.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
