Smokey Bear Paintings Viewable At 4 Preserve Visitor Centers

ROMEOVILLE, IL — Nineteen paintings depicting Smokey Bear, the popular symbol of the U.S. Forest Service’s wildfire prevention campaign, will be on display at four Will County nature sites this winter, according to a news release from the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

Originally, the paintings were planned to be on display at a fifth site at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, but the preserve has now said that HVAC work at the site will not be completed in time for the U.S. Forest Service site to host any of the exhibit paintings as planned.

The "Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin Collection" exhibit will run from Jan. 17, through March 2. The artworks are reproductions of original Smokey Bear paintings that were created from 1977 to 1995, the preserve said in a release.

The paintings can be viewed at: Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher, and Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet starting Jan. 17.

Viewing hours for Four Rivers, Isle a la Cache and Plum Creek are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday. These visitor centers are closed on Monday and Tuesday. Viewing hours for Sugar Creek Administration Center are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, Jan. 18 and March 2.

Each site will have a portion of the 19 paintings on display. Visitors can take photos and videos, but should not touch the art, the preserve said.

In addition to the exhibit, the Forest Preserve will host complementary programs and a Smokey challenge that asks visitors to check out all five visitor centers where the paintings are displayed for a chance to win a Smokey-themed prize basket.

In Romeoville, at Isle a la Cache, a "WonderKids - Smokey Bear" program will be held on Feb. 6. This preschooler program will feature Smokey Bear-themed facts, singing, story time, table activities and crafts. Free, ages 2-5. Register by Feb. 4.

Also at Isle a la Cache, on Feb. 27, the preserve will host a Smokey Bear trivia night at the museum. Free, ages 16 or older. Join a naturalist for some trivia and put your nature history knowledge to the test. Play solo or as a team. Light snacks will be provided. Register by Feb. 25.