Gallery Exhibits at Green Briar

The two galleries in the Green Briar building offer changing exhibitions throughout the year. Society members and the public are invited to come by and view the works of these talented artists. Following is the schedule for the coming months.

THE  MANY  FACES  OF  PETER  RABBIT

“The Many Faces of Peter Rabbit” is a new exhibit currently on display at the Green Briar Nature Center.  Peter Rabbit, the most beloved character in the stories by Sandwich born author and naturalist, Thornton Burgess, was depicted by many illustrators over the years.  This exhibit presents examples of the work of children’s illustrators and nature painters as shown through their sometimes fanciful, sometimes lifelike versions of Peter.  While a number of different illustrators are included here, Harrison Cady illustrated more Burgess books and stories than all the others combined.

Peter made his debut as a Burgess character early in Burgess’ second published children’s story, “Peter Rabbit Plays a Joke,” which appeared in Good Housekeeping Magazine in June of 1910 and was included as a chapter in his first children’s book, Old Mother West Wind that following September.  Peter has often been confused with Beatrix Potter’s literary rabbit of the same name.  Burgess said, “Beatrix Potter of England named Peter Rabbit when she found him in Mr. McGregor’s garden.  With fascinating text and talented brush she made a classic…in the little volume children everywhere know and love…. When I began writing stories for my own little boy, a rabbit was already named Peter, and there was no changing the name.”  Burgess fans do not confuse the two rabbits, however.  They know that Burgess’ rabbit is definitely a different kind of character.

The exhibit is funded in part by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod and the Marion Jordan Charitable Foundation and will be on display through the fall.  Hours are 10am to 4pm Monday through Saturday and 1pm to 4pm Sunday.