John James Audubon: Engaging Stories, Stunning Art
Course | Registration opens 1/21/2025 8:00 AM EST
In June of 1821, John James Audubon came by steamboat from New Orleans to West Feliciana Parish in Louisiana. It was during his stay at Oakley, which he claimed was a “paradise of birds”, that his dream, his labor of love, to paint The Birds of America began in earnest. In this course we’ll discuss his time at Oakley, examine his beautiful works of art, and listen to his words about the birds, the area, and his experiences. Audubon’s commentary informs us, delights us, and sometimes even makes us laugh as he takes us back to another time.
Darlene Reaves
Darlene Reaves earned a master’s degree in science teaching from the University of New Orleans and has taught geology, environmental science, and wildlife biology at the New Orleans Center for Science and Math. She volunteers with OLLI at LS; has organized the SIG Feliciana Birders; and has given presentations about Audubon, his life, and his art to birding groups, garden groups, and volunteers at the Audubon State Historic Site in St. Francisville, where Audubon stayed in 1821, and where Darlene currently resides.