The Plant of the Month for March is Foothill Penstemon Penstemon heterophyllus , chosen by one of our super-dedicated Nursery volunteers, Kelly Williams.

Another Turtle Bay Auction is in the books! This past weekend, the community gathered at the Redding Civic Auditorium with bright lights, delicious food and drink, and of course, one-of-a-kind auction items. From the flashy costumes and upbeat music to the overwhelming support during our silent and live auctions, we could not have dreamt of a better DISCO Wonderland!

Last Friday, we had the honor of being a part of the ultimate surprise for five-year-old Brayden McQuillan. At just five months old, Brayden underwent a heart transplant after being born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, an improper development of the left side of the heart. After enduring such a life-threatening condition, the Make-A-Wish Foundation wanted to create a spark of excitement for Brayden and his family.

Our ancestors wore animal furs and skins for millennia. Before we figured out how to make plant-based textiles and then create modern synthetic gear that outperforms natural materials – and comes with its drawbacks, we were entirely dependent on animal resources to stay warm and dry. Today, many people still wear leather. In the 1980s and ‘90s, exotic skins and furs fell out of favor as people embraced animal rights. This grassroots movement helped change both minds and laws. The United Kingdom banned fur farming at the beginning of the 21st century but still allows imports. In 2019, California passed a state-wide ban on manufacturing and selling new fur products. The past five years have seen major international retailers pledge to remove products made from fur or endangered species from their offerings.

This hair corsage was made after 1890 out of hair from Louisa (1848 -1939) and Christian (1821 -1906) Lemm’s ten sons. Christian immigrated from Germany in 1848, and Louisa, also of German heritage, was born in Buffalo, New York. They met and married in Chico in 1865. The Lemm Family moved to Shasta County in 1884 and purchased 1,145 acres on North Cow Creek at Salt Creek in what is now Bella Vista. They established a horse and cattle ranch and a stopover for weary travelers on the wagon road that is now Highway 299. The Lemms were a typical hard-working late 19th and early 20th-century ranching and farming family in Northern California. Their home was practical, but they also enjoyed the Victorian styles and décor of the day, including this corsage. 

The Plant of the Month for September is chosen by Samantha Long, one of Turtle Bay’s Gardeners at the Botanical Gardens. Sam likes that our native Coffeeberry shrubs are extremely versatile; they are evergreen and can be very dense but still have a lot of movement to them. She cites that they are also drought-tolerant and have a round berry (black when completely ripe) that looks just like the berry of a coffee plant. 

The Mosaic Gallery is a space that allows local artists to showcase their works to our community and traveling visitors to the Sheraton Redding Hotel. The hallway connecting Mosaic Restaurant to the Sheraton Redding Hotel is currently filled with the artwork of Teri Strong, a classically trained artist based in Redding, CA.

February’s Artifact of the Month is a World War I Uniform & Kit. Our World War I soldier was created from objects worn or carried between 1917 and 1919 by a few different young men. He is missing a few things, like his rucksack and rifle, but he is complete enough to compare with a modern Army soldier wearing an Army Combat Uniform or ACU. 

Every year, Turtle Bay exhibits the artwork of students who are reached by Turtle Bay's Famous Artists Portfolio Program. Visit the Museum today to see the artwork of local child art learners as part of the Famous Artists Children’s Art Show! There is a variety of artwork to see from K-8 students at schools throughout our community!

This past Friday, January 20, we held a special VIP Opening for our newest traveling exhibition, Honor, Courage, Commitment: Marine Corps Art, 1975-2018. The Museum was flooded with community members, military, veterans, volunteers, and other individuals eager to see the new artwork on display in Turtle Bay’s Exploration Hall.

At Turtle Bay’s recent Family 2nd Saturday program, guests had a chance to live Pollock’s legacy by making their very own drip paintings. With armed aprons, paint, and some household objects, Turtle Bay’s Education Department volunteers and staff helped guests create their very own action paintings; paintings that were made with the power of movement.

The Plant(s) of the Month for January are deer grass, Muhlenbergia rigens our local deer grass, and Muhlenbergia lindheimeri also known as Lindheimer’s muhly, sometimes Mexican deer grass. They are two of my all-time favorite plants for gardens in our climate because of their beautiful forms, ease of care (low maintenance), and of course, drought tolerance.

We are excited to continue our partnership with Redding Electric Utility (REU) to bring access programs to Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Beginning Thursday, January 12, 2023, we will provide reduced Park admission every Thursday: $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Discount Day is a wonderful opportunity to experience current Museum exhibitions, outdoor playgrounds, live animal shows, wildlife exhibits, botanical Gardens, Parrot Playhouse, and more. 

Mickey has been one of the most recognized cartoon characters worldwide since his 1928 debut in Steamboat Willie. There are oodles of toys and memorabilia with his likeness in the designs. Collectors refer to these items as “Disneyana.” The nearly 100-year-old tea set on exhibit from Turtles Bay’s permanent collection was made in Japan and is a perfect example of Disneyana.

The Society of Animal Artists chose Turtle Bay as the premier venue for its 62nd annual Art and the Animal exhibition. We are very excited to be selected as the premier venue. With our interdisciplinary approach and adjacent hotel, this is a logical place to host an exhibition at the intersection of Fine Art and Natural Science. This year’s subjects range from the domestic to the exotic. During the exhibition, guests can see an artistic representation of a bobcat and then see Whisper in person. Black vultures, like our Ned, and a barred owl, like Chef, are featured alongside zebra, orangutan, lions, spiders, and more.