Get Outdoors - Come Play with Clay on the Anhinga Trail

Memory Loss Sculpture by Eileen Powell

National Park Service

News Release Date: January 20, 2012

Contact: General Park Information, 305-242-7700

Contact: Program Contact  Kevin Bowles Mohr, 305-242-7752

Contact: Media Contact  Linda Friar, 305-242-7714

Get outdoors this week and join Everglades Artist in Residence (AIRIE), Elaine Powell, as she demonstrates her wonderful ceramic sculptures and provides park visitors an opportunity to play with clay!

Everglades National Park is pleased to invite the community to visit the January Artist in Residence, Eileen Powell, at the Anhinga Trail Monday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Eileen Powell will be on site from 11:00a-3:00p to demonstrate her ceramic sculptures and allow visitors to play with the clay.

Eileen Powell's current work incorporates ceramics, video, and other media to convey ecological and environmental themes. Specifically her work examines the emotions we feel as our lands, seas, and natural habitats degrade. "By enlightening the viewer to the nonexistent, the absent, the silhouette, or the impression of what was once there," explains Eileen, "my sculptures provide a faint memory or spirit of the beautiful places, creatures, and experiences forever lost."

This idea of loss is an integral part of her work. Eileen Powell is seeking to create a visual statement regarding the importance nature has to our quality of life; not only our physical well-being but also our emotional and spiritual health.

Directions: Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: 40001 SR 9336, Homestead, FL 33034,

Visitors coming from the Miami area and northern destinations should take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends merging with U.S.1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344^th St.) and follow the signs to the park.

Visitors driving north from the Florida Keys should turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park.

The Anhinga Trail is located at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. Drive past the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and in ¼ mile is the park entrance station. Proceed to drive 2-miles down the road to the Royal Palm turnoff. Take a left and drive to the Royal Palm parking lot and Bill Brody will be on the trail. For more information about the Artist in Residence in Everglades program call 305-242-7752.