From creepy crawlies and pretty parrots to slithering snakes, bystanders might think there is a miniature zoo visiting campus. Morrill Hall invites families and students to their Colorful Creature Day this Saturday, April 2 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Colorful Creature Day will be a fun-filled afternoon of arts and crafts along with live animals. The occasion is part of Morrill Hall's celebration of its 140th anniversary. Visitors can expect to interact with different animals, including a hedgehog, llama, owl, birds, rabbits, reptiles and more.
Dana Ludvik, public relations coordinator for Morrill Hall, is looking forward to the event. "This is the third time we've had the event and many people have enjoyed the llamas and alpacas that the Star City Llama and Alpaca 4-H Club provides, as well as the art activities inside," Ludvik said.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Art and Art History and the Guild of Natural Scientific Illustrators will provide art activities for kids and share their artistic abilities. Children will have a chance to take pictures with "Pebbles," the giant piping plover and enter to win an artistic rain barrel.
"Volunteer students from the art department on campus are going to help out with the art activities, which is a great opportunity for them to connect with kids and show their work," Ludvik said.
Although the day may seem to be centered on activities for kids, students on campus as well as the faculty have had just as much fun in previous years. One activity the older crowd might enjoy is the Mueller Planetarium's presentation of the full dome show, "Enchanted Reef," a 30-minute adventure exploring the ocean world at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
"The animals definitely have the broadest appeal, since it's not every day that you see an alpaca or a llama standing outside of Morrill Hall," Ludvik said.
Organizations like the Capital Humane Society and the Nebraska Parrot Rescue have made this event a success, but the Hixson-Lied Endowment has provided generous support for the event.
The Hixson-Lied Endowment, given by Christina M. Hixson in January of 2000, was a donation of $18 million to the University of Nebraska Foundation to help the College of Fine and Performing Arts. The funds not only support events like Colorful Creature Day, but also provide support for the Sheldon Museum of Art, Lied Center for Performing Arts and many more.
"It has provided funds for art supplies for the students who will be helping with the art activities," Ludvik said.
Art students won't be the only ones lending a hand with the afternoon's activities. Entomology students will bring millipedes and hissing cockroaches to offset the fuzzy rabbits and gentle alpacas.
Regular admission will apply to Colorful Creature Day. The prices are $5 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and under are free), and $10 for families (up to two adults and children). UNL staff, faculty and students are admitted free with a valid NU ID. There is an additional charge for planetarium shows.
"The activities might seem directed toward children, but students should still come and maybe even bring their younger siblings to show them around campus after the fun at Colorful Creature Day," Ludvik said.
Astronomy Day, the next event for Morrill Hall's 140th anniversary, will be on Saturday, May 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The day will include different activities and demonstrations centered on space and astronomy.
"Even though the semester will be over for many, I encourage everyone to stop by and learn a bit and have fun," Ludvik said.
rutholiver@dailynebraskan.com
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