The Wildling Art Museum recently received a $1,085 grant from the Valley Foundation for continuing support of several programs offered to the local community free of charge. The programs include the monthly film series Free Friday Flicks, as well as three annual events — Zoo to You, Poetry Reading and Teacher’s Open House. This is the second year in which the Valley Foundation has funded these programs.

Free Friday Flicks, held the first Friday of every month, screens notable films about nature or art. Each fall during the Los Olivos Day in the Country, Zoo to You wildlife educators bring several wild animals to the museum garden.

During the spring, local poets gather in the garden to read their original works at the annual Wildling Art Museum Poetry Reading. The Teacher’s Open house invites school teachers to visit the museum to learn how to incorporate the Wildling exhibits into their yearly programs.

As an educational institution, the Wildling Art Museum’s mission, according to a recent museum press release, is “to present the art of America’s wilderness so participants of all ages may gain a greater appreciation of the art and a better understanding of the importance of preserving our natural heritage.”

The Wildling Museum is in the historic Keenan-Hartley House, 2329 Jonata St. in Los Olivos. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information about any of the museum’s programs, call 688-1082 or visit their Web site at www.wildling museum.org.

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