10/16/2024

WATERSMEET - Watersmeet is hosting an exhibit of some very famous paintings…

The Ottawa National Forest Visitors Center has the honor of displaying 19 replica paintings of Smokey the Bear…the iconic symbol of forestry and caring for our woodlands by avoiding forest fires. Generations of visitors have viewed the exhibit and shared their stories of growing up with Smokey. The exhibit is part of the U.S. Forest Service’s 80th Birthday Celebration. The 19 replicas of artist Rudy Wendelin’s original work, were painted from 1977 through 1995 as part of the Forestry Service’s public education campaign. The Watersmeet based visitors center is one of only 14 national forest facilities to host the exhibit. The paintings will be on display at the visitor center though the 25th, with extended viewing hours on the 17th and the 24th.