Art in the Wild to celebrate Jay N. ‘Ding’ Darling’s 150th birthday
As a tribute to Jay N. “Ding” Darling’s 150th birthday, Art in the Wild will be had at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
The celebration will take place Tuesday, Oct. 21, Wednesday, Oct. 22, and Thursday, Oct. 23.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society Philanthropic Director Jeff Decker said Art in the Wild is held this time of the year, as Jay N. “Ding” Darling’s birthday is Oct. 21. He said when they saw that “Ding” was turning 150 years old, and America was celebrating 250 years, they thought it was a great time to create a commemorative coin that has the United States 250th birthday on one side and “Ding” Darling’s 150th birthday on the other.
Decker said they will also provide pins during the celebration. He said those who wear them will receive 20% off in the Nature Store at the Refuge during the three days of Art in the Wild.
“They are going to be available at The Roost at the giveaway table. You can go up and get them,” he said.
Decker said on the first day, Tuesday, Oct. 21, a special small group birding and photography tour will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
To participate, registration is required through Eventbrite, which can be found at https://dingdarlingsociety.org/art-in-the-wild.
Individuals can also sign up for “Ding” on the Wing — the electronic newsletter, and enter to win prizes. Prizes will be given away hourly at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon in The Roost. It is free and open to the public.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., he said they invited four very talented local artists to paint plein-air — painting outside — along Wildlife Drive, in a popup tent, with an easel, chair and table. Decker said they will have a sign sharing who they are.
“The four artists that we have invited, they are doing a gallery wrap piece at home prior to the event that will be for sale at the Nature Store. The day of, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., they will be painting these plein air paintings,” Decker said, giving individuals the opportunity to see their techniques live. “When they get completed, they will also be for sale in the Nature Store.”
Each artist will have two paintings for sale at the Nature Store during the celebration.
The artist include Jacqui Roch, Artist in Residence from 2022-24 and island residents Ilie Ruby, Arlene Stigum, and Antonia Crook.
For the first time, he said they are allowing adults to sign up to become a junior ranger from 9 a.m. to noon. Decker said adults will be given a basic questionnaire with environmentally based common sense questions to receive their wooden badge.
Stop by Ranger Toni’s Nature Nook – a learning center for kids — from 10 a.m. to noon for arts and crafts. Decker said there will be shell painting and an origami workshop by one of the interns to make an origami crane. He said they are asking individuals to write a message to mother nature to be placed on a mobile display.
At 2 p.m. in the Visitor & Education Center auditorium, an awards ceremony will be held for four recipients — Federal Duck Stamp Winner Jim Hautman, Florida Junior Duck Stamp winner Beckett Smith, the winner of the amateur photo contest, and the winner for the conversation cartoon contest.
Decker said Hautman will sign his Duck Stamp, which is available for purchase in the Nature Store, following the award ceremony.
At the awards ceremony, he said they will also have Teddy Roosevelt (Joe Wiegand) and “Ding” Darling (Tom Milligan) reenactments.
“They are going to do a little back and forth and they are going to be the ones that are presenting the awards. ‘Ding’ Darling invented the Duck Program and that is why it is a big deal,” he said, adding that he also created the first Duck Stamp.
In 1934 the first Federal Duck Stamp was created. For each Duck Stamp purchased, 98 cents goes back to conservation and programs. The program has raised more than $1.3 billion dollars for the federal government, which has conserved six million acres of wetlands.
The programs continue on Wednesday, Oct. 21, “Ding” Darling’s 150th birthday.
Giveaways will continue every hour at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon in the Roost. It is free and open to the public.
From 11 a.m. to noon, Teddy and “Ding” in the Roost will be held for a live performance.
“It will feel like they are stepping back in time — listening to them go back and forth,” Decker said for about an hour.
He said the lands that have been preserved, the national forest and refuge system was created under Roosevelt.
A ribbon cutting will be held at noon for the newly renovated Indigo Trail boardwalk, which will reconnect the Visitor & Education Center to Wildlife Drive.
Another performance at 1 p.m. will be held with Teddy & “Ding” in The Roost.
“No two performances are alike,” Decker said.
The final day of Art in the Wild will be held Thursday, Oct. 22.
Giveaways will be held once an hour at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon in The Roost, which is free and open to the public.
The special small group birding and photography tours will take place again from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with registration at https://dingdarlingsociety.org/art-in-the-wild.
From 10 a.m. to noon crafts will be held with shell painting and an origami workshop in The Roost.
Decker said they received news that the City of Sanibel will declare Oct. 21 as “Ding” Darling Day.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located at 1 Wildlife Dr., Sanibel.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY / mbradbury@breezenewspapers.com , please email