ROCKLAND — The Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center invites the public to an art opening Friday, May 2, from 4 to 6 p.m., to celebrate Leaps of Imagination’s student artists from Rockland and Rockport schools, and student artists from Riley School. Also come view Sara J. Cary's works on the interplay of art and science.

Leaps of Imagination, will showcase work they have done with students at South School. The fourth grade exhibit, “Connecting to the Land,” features collaborative landscape paintings inspired by Wheeler Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The fifth grade exhibit, “Spreading our Wings: Stepping into our Collective Power,” These young artists realized the commonalities between an eleven year girl who led the largest women’s walkout in New York garment factories for fair working conditions (1909) and birds flocking together for self-preservation.

Riley School in Rockport is exhibiting, “The Art of Observation.” Students explored the diverse ecosystems across Midcoast Maine during Ecology Week. This exhibit shows you these ecosystems through the eyes of young naturalists and artists, blending scientific discovery with creative expression.

Sara J. Cary’s exhibit, “Images of Science and Nature,” explores the beauty of nature through detailed photography and illustration. Each piece captures the quiet wonders of the natural world - patterns on an insect’s wing, the ecology of a forest floor, and the flowing forms of kelp, revealing the intricate rhythms that surround us.

 The visitor center is located at 9 Water Street in Rockland.  For more information, visit the website, mainecoastislands.org/events or email info@mainecoastislands.org.