The Peabody Institute Library Foundation invites the public to an evening of Birds & Bubbly on Friday, April 28 from 6 – 8 p.m.
The PIL owns one of only 119 remaining original copies of Audubon’s 200-year-old Birds of America prints, and works every year to conserve these prints for generations to come, with public donations.
Birds & Bubbly will feature selected framed prints that have been conserved, as well as some that have yet to be conserved. The evening will also include a presentation of information about the conservation process and the history of these prints. PIL Director Cate Merlin said the restoration process often involves taking “200-year-old pieces of paper” and submerging them in water.
PIL Foundation President Darryl McCarthy said the event is a “special and unique opportunity” to view the treasured prints, created by John James Audubon roughly two centuries ago.
Merlin explained that Audubon first drew sketches of the birds he was depicting in particular poses, before taking the sketches to an engraver in London, where they were turned into what she said were essentially “giant copper stamps.” Those images would then be stamped onto a piece of linen, and hand-painted by women and children in London.
The library invites residents to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer, & bubbly (for those ages 21 and over) as we celebrate the PIL’s history and support its future.
Tickets are $50 per person and available for purchase through Eventbrite and at every library location.
“Come and view these Audubon prints and take in the beautiful history we have at the library,” McCarthy said.
To learn more about this event and other library events, visit the library’s website or contact Merlin at 978-531-0100 Ext. 16 or merlin@noblenet.org.
