And this weekend, contemporary artist James Gurney will be in town for two programs at the center where 59 works of his fantastical art are on exhibit until May 25. Gurney will lead a drawing workshop for aspiring artists on Sunday afternoon, followed by Gurney giving a slide presentation about his work and a book signing event. (Find the details below.)

They're all part of a series of family-oriented exhibits and programs planned for March at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center.

EXHIBITIONS Dinotopia™: The Fantastical Art of James Gurney Through May 25: This fascinating exhibition features 59 original oil paintings from the The New York Times bestseller Dinotopia: A Land Apart From Time (1992), Dinotopia: The World Beneath (1995), and Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara (2007) by James Gurney. The fantastical art of contemporary artist, James Gurney, was inspired by a childhood fascination with archaeology, dinosaurs, lost civilizations, and art. His big break as an illustrator came from National Geographic magazine with a series of challenging assignments working with scientists and historians to recreate ancient worlds; a project that inspired the conceptual framework for Dinotopia. Also included are the artist's preliminary studies, reference photos, and handmade scale-models. For fossil fans and dinosaur devotees, a variety of specimens from the Paleontology Collection of the Stamford Museum is also exhibited. Dinotopia: The Fantastical Art of James Gurney has been organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Here's the schedule of events for March including the details on the maple sugaring weekend and the opening of a new exotic animal exhibit that is to include snakes, lizards, turtles and tarantulas.

The Bendel Mansion Museum Galleries are open, Monday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm; Sundays 11 am – 5 pm. Members: Free /Non-Members: Free with gate admission. For more information visit stamfordmuseum.org or call 203.977.6521.

Members: $40 per person. Non-Members: $55 per person. Limited to 20 participants and recommended for ages 12 and up. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 203.977.6521 to register.

SPECIAL EVENTS Fantasy Drawing Workshop with artist James Gurney Sunday, March 1, 2015, 1 – 3 pm Renowned illustrator James Gurney, whose work is featured in our current Dinotopia: The Fantastical Art of James Gurney, will present a digital slide program and a hands-on drawing workshop for aspiring and intermediate artists. Gurney will demonstrate the water-soluble colored pencil techniques he uses for many of his sketches. Participants will get a chance to try out the tools, which will be provided for the event, along with model dinosaurs and other still life objects to use as a basis for sketching.

Book Signing and Public Presentation with artist James Gurney

Sunday, March 1, 3:30 – 4:30 pm

After the private workshop, all museum guests will have an opportunity to meet James Gurney, purchase his books, and get them signed. Before the signing, Gurney will offer a brief slide presentation about the making of Dinotopia, including research, thumbnail sketches, models posing, maquettes, photo reference, and plein-air studies. Copies of Gurney's Dinotopia books and art instruction books Imaginative Realism and Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter will be available at the SM&NC Gift Shop.

Members: Free І Non-members: Free with gate admission

Maple Sugar Festival Weekend presented by First County Bank

Saturday, March 7 & Sunday, March 8, 11 am – 3 pm

Celebrate the sweetness of the maple sugaring season as this annual family favorite returns to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Visit the little red sugarhouse on Heckscher Farm and see firsthand how sap is turned into maple syrup. Witness how trees are tapped, see how sap is collected, make a maple-themed craft, have your face painted, and sing and dance to live music from Jay and Ray. Additionally, Heckscher WILD!, a new, interactive live exotic animal exhibit on Heckscher Farm, will celebrate its grand opening this weekend.

On Saturday, watch four teen chefs create delicious dishes using SM&NC maple syrup and vote for your favorite in First County Bank Teen Chefs Challenge from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Food trucks will be there on Saturday too – Melt Mobile and Bounty. On Sunday, enjoy the popular pancake brunch from 11 am to 2 pm. Save time and purchase your tickets in advance at stamfordmuseum.org.

Daily Admission Fees:

Members: $5 per person | Non-Members: $10 per person

Director's Circle & Family Plus Members and all children 3 & under: FREE

Pancake Brunch (SUNDAY only, 11 am – 2 pm): Additional $6 fee per person

Heckscher WILD! – GRAND OPENING!

Saturday, March 7 & Sunday, March 8

Celebrate the GRAND OPENING of Heckscher WILD!, our new live exotic animal exhibit on Heckscher Farm, during our Maple Sugar Festival Weekend. Bringing world habitats to life, Heckscher WILD! features live exotic animals and plants from across the globe and provides visitors a chance for interaction with these animals through feedings, demonstrations, and special events. The exhibit will house some favorite Stamford Museum & Nature Center animals, including lizards, snakes, turtles, and tarantulas. Come visit!

Astronomy Nights: Spring Constellations

Friday, March 13, 7 pm

Join us for our exciting series of astronomy programs! Head to the Observatory to explore the night sky, planets, stars, and more through our 22-inch telescope. Start by enjoying a presentation on spring constellations followed by a visit to view the night sky. The presentation portion of the program will be held rain or shine. Please note viewing hours are weather permitting. This program is suitable for ages 5 and over. Location: Behind the Heckscher Farm, enter from Scofieldtown Road. GPS users enter – 151 Scofieldtown Road.

Members: Free | Non-Members: Adults $5, Children (5-17) $3

Maple Sugar Open House

Sunday, March 15, 1 – 3:30 pm

If you missed our Maple Sugar Festival Weekend or if you just can't get enough maple syrup, join us for one last look at our 2015 syrup production season. The Sugarhouse will be open from 1 to 3 pm for visitors to see how we produce our pure maple syrup. We'll also have a tapping demo at 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Join us at 3 pm for our favorite winter treat: vanilla ice cream with maple syrup (while supplies last)!

Members: Free І Non-members: Free with gate admission

Bunny Tales Tea Party

Saturday, March 21, 2 – 4 pm

Enjoy an English style tea party celebrating Beatrix Potter's life and work.

Meet the real life animals that inspired Miss Potter's beloved characters such as Jemima Puddle Duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Mrs.Tiggy Winkle, and of course, Peter Rabbit. Tea-time delights made from the fruits and veggies that might have grown in Mr. McGregor's garden will be served. An activity and storytime are also planned.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Space is limited. Be sure to book your spot early by calling 203.977.6521. Herbal tea graciously provided by Teavana.

Members $25 per person І Non-Members $35 per person

Outdoor Adventures: Amphibian Amble

Friday, March 27, 7 – 8:30 pm

Grab your flashlights and hiking boots and join staff from the Stamford Museum & Nature Center environmental education team for this spring favorite! Head out on our nature trails to discover some of the unique creatures that visit our vernal pools once a year to lay their eggs, like wood frogs, American toads, and spotted salamanders. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Register early, this sells out every year and space is limited! Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 203.977.6521 to register. All programs meet at the Overbrook Nature Center building.

Members $5 per person | Non-members $8 per person.

Astronomy Nights: Pluto and New Horizons

Friday, March 27, 7 pm

Join us for our exciting series of astronomy programs! Head to the Observatory to explore the night sky, planets, stars, and more through our 22-inch telescope. Start by enjoying a presentation on Pluto and new horizons followed by a visit to view the night sky. The presentation portion of the program will be held rain or shine. Please note viewing hours are weather permitting. This program is suitable for ages 5 and over. Location: Behind the Heckscher Farm, enter from Scofieldtown Road. GPS users enter – 151 Scofieldtown Road.

Members: Free | Non-Members: Adults $5, Children (5-17) $3

Take-a-Hike Week: Walk on the WILD! Side

Tuesday, March 31 – Thursday, April 2

Our annual Take-a-Hike week programs return! Spend your spring break hiking our trails, exploring our habitats, and meeting our live animals up close! Our popular Vernal Pool and Hike through the Sky programs return, along with new offerings such as Habitat, Habitat and Dinosaur Stomp Hike. Join us for our annual Scavenger Hunt, this year with a "Survival Challenge" theme, where you'll discover how to make fire, how to read animal tracks, and even get a chance to eat some bugs. Try your hand at one of our self-guided crafts and visit the animals in our newest exhibit, Heckscher WILD! Grab your 2015 passport to earn stamps at programs, crafts, or find our "Hidden Stamp of the Day." The complete list of programs and hikes will be available on our website. Members: Free І Non-members: Free with gate admission

ONGOING PROGRAMS

WILD! Saturdays *NEW!*

Saturdays, March 21 – May 25 (no programs on 4/4 or 5/16)

Discover our newest addition to Heckscher Farm – Heckscher WILD! Meet some of our animals up close and create lunch for some too. Don't forget to visit our river otters, Bert and Edie, to see them get their lunch. All programs, except for otter feeding, will meet at the Heckscher WILD! exhibit. Otter feeding will meet at the Otter Pond.

12:30 pm WILD! Feeding (Heckscher WILD!)

1 pm Otter Feeding (Otter Pond)

1:30 pm Animal Meet & Greet (Heckscher WILD!)

3 pm Animal Meet & Greet (Heckscher WILD!)

Members: Free І Non-members: Free with gate admission

Sunday Explorers

Sundays, March 22 – May 26 (no programs on 4/5 or 5/17)

Our popular Sunday programs continue with some new additions! Explore our farm, help to feed some animals, meet some animals up close, and create some great self-guided crafts.

Noon – 4 pm Self-guided crafts (Overbrook Nature Center)

12:30 pm WILD! Feeding (Heckscher WILD!)

1 pm Otter Feeding (Otter Pond)

1:30 pm Animal Meet & Greet (Heckscher WILD!)

2 pm Farm Fun (meet at chicken coop)

3 pm Animal Meet & Greet (Overbrook Nature Center)

Members: Free І Non-members: Free with gate admission

Scales & Tales

Fridays, March 13 – May 22

3:30 – 4:15 pm

Celebrate our newest exhibition, Dinotopia: The Fantastical Art of James Gurney, by exploring the world of the dinosaurs' scaly cousins – lizards, snakes, and turtles. Each week we'll share one of our favorite scaly tales, have a chance to touch (and maybe even hold) a live reptile, and create a great reptile or dinosaur-themed craft. Meet at the Museum Building.

Members: Free І Non-members: Free with gate admission

Stamford Museum & Nature Center Observatory Visitors' Night

Fridays, 8 pm

View the sky through a 22-inch research telescope, weather permitting, adults $5, children (5 –17) $3. Members: Free. Special group visits can be arranged, call 203.977.6521. This program is suitable for ages 5 and older. The Stamford Observatory entrance is located off Scofieldtown Road. For GPS users, enter 151 Scofieldtown Road.

Stamford Museum & Nature Center is located at 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT (3/4 mile North of Merritt Parkway Exit 35.) For more information call 203.322.1646 or visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.

Hours: Heckscher Farm, daily 9 am – 5 pm; Nature's Playground, daily 9 am – 5 pm; Bendel Mansion (main building), Mon. – Sat. 9 am – 5 pm; Sun. 11 am – 5 pm; Heckscher WILD!, Tues. – Fri. Noon – 4 pm, Sat. & Sun. 10 am – 4 pm.

Admission Fees*: SM&NC Members – Free; Adults $10; Seniors (65+) $8; Students (18+ with valid ID) $6; Children (4-17) $5; Children (3 and under) Free

*excludes festival days & special events.

Photo credit: Stamford Museum & Nature Center.