Explore the wonders of nature at Hidden Forest Art Gallery

FALLBROOK – The public is invited to an Open House event that will be hosted jointly by The Collector and Hidden Forest Art Gallery on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 912 and 936 S. Live Oak Park Road in Fallbrook.

Visitors will have an opportunity to explore gardens, unique bird aviaries, a Koi pond, and fairy garden as well as viewing tropical indoor plants and bonsais for sale at the art gallery which is nestled behind The Collector, a gem, mineral, and jewelry boutique.

Inside Hidden Forest Art Gallery is an African-themed room filled with internationally-collected wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira’s insights from his time spent in Africa with wife, Lisa. The Tropical Room showcases his many travels to native Sri Lanka, Belize, Peru, Trinidad, Panama, Australia and more. The final room uses a black light with bio luminescence paints to observe nature at night.

The Open House will also include a chance to explore the serenity and ambiance of flora and fauna recreated by Ratnavira, to browse through wildlife books, to sit and watch the birds preening and nesting in the aviary beside the easel, while watching the artist at work.

Ratnavira’s recently illustrated book, “Mammals of Sri Lanka,” includes illustrative plates as well as first-ever recorded originals. One can observe the stamps he created for Sri Lanka and learn about his many conservation endeavors, including building a research station in Sri Lanka in memory of the couple’s daughter, Natalie Ratnavira (Feb. 14, 1990 - June 23, 2012).

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the live oak, sycamore, and Bomback trees before entering The Collector to find one-of-a-kind jewelry, gift items, and beautiful gems and minerals collected internationally as well as locally mined from Pala’s tourmaline mine. At The Collector, one can experience mining and acquire geodes, minerals and more, while enjoying an afternoon spent learning about countries afar.

For more information, visit http://www.collectorfinejewelry.com or call (760) 728-9121; or http://www.gaminiratnavira.com or call (760) 703-2930.