March 14 from 10 am -2 pm
The Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center, in collaboration with Penguin Court, brings our annual Nature Works event back for 2026 on March 14, 2026, from 10 am – 2 pm!
Nature Works provides the Johnstown community with an opportunity to connect with vendors who specialize in the great outdoors. Vendor organizations represent environmental conservation, outdoor recreation, and PA state environmental agencies. Families can learn how to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Many vendors will supply fun and educational activities for kids.
“Penguin Court looks forward to working with the Bottle Works again to offer this popular, free, family-friendly event that we hope will cure everyone’s “cabin fever” – at least for a day! The Laurel Highlands have such a rich natural history and abundant resources, it makes sense to showcase them and all the groups – from volunteer-based conservation organizations and state agencies to outdoor recreation enthusiasts – who are working to conserve, protect, and promote smart use of these resources.
I’m very appreciative of our 24+ partners who carve out time on a Saturday to share their knowledge and love of nature with the public. Most of the same groups are returning; however, new this year is the Somerset County Conservancy and the Pennsylvania Game Commission returns after a little hiatus.” – Melissa Reckner – Penguin Court Program Manager
“Bottle Works is thrilled to be hosting another Nature Works event! In previous years, we have had over 400 people in attendance to take advantage of all of the amazing offerings from our vendors,” – said Matt Lamb – Bottle Works Executive Director
“I think sometimes people wonder how this event fits the mission of an arts organization, but it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to take care of our environment, and Bottle Works always strives to be aware of the impact our campus and it’s activities have on the environment, and as they say, You can’t have EARTH without the ART!”. Nature inspires artists every day, and often contributes to their subject matter and the materials used in the creative process.”
Nature Works 2026 will be accompanied by an art exhibit by local artist Ryan Kniss, titled – Elements of the Wild: Land , Sea, and Sky. Natural elements are the subject matter and inspiration for Ryan’s paintings.
Nature Works Exhibitors:
1. Benscreek Canoe Club
2. Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania
3. Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center
4. Brandywine Conservancy’s Penguin Court
5. Cambria County Conservation District
6. Cambria County Library
7. Conemaugh Valley Conservancy
8. First Waves
9. Friends of the Inclined Plane Trail
10. Johnstown Ridgebacks
11. Laurel Highlands On and Off Road Bicycling Association (LHORBA)
12. Lorain/Stonycreek Hiking Trails
13. Mountain Laurel Trout Unlimited
14. National Wild Turkey Federation – Allegheny Plateau Chapter
15. PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Bureau of Forestry –
Gallitzin State Forest
16. PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Bureau of State Parks
– Prince Gallitzin State Park
17. PA Fish and Boat Commission
18. PA Game Commission – NEW
19. Penn State Master Gardeners – Cambria County
20. Pennsylvania Master Naturalist x2
21. Pittsburgh Zoo International Conservation Center
22. Saint Francis University Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (ROCK)
23. Somerset County Conservancy – NEW
24. Stackhouse Park
25. Stonycreek Conemaugh River Improvement Project (SCRIP)
Sponsored in part by:
