Get ready to channel your inner Picasso or Georgia O'Keeffe this April at the George Washington Carver National Monument. Art in the Park alongside National Junior Ranger Day is hitting the trails on April 27 from 10 am to 1 pm, in a celebration of creativity, nature, and one of America's most forward-thinking agricultural scientists.

Art in the Park/National Junior Ranger Day, which is a part of the wider National Park Week festivities, is a unique, free experience that lets visitors of all ages discover George Washington Carver's legacy not just through his scientific achievements, but through his lesser-known artistic side. According to the National Park Service, plein air painters will be capturing the picturesque woodlands, prairie, and streams that inspired Carver himself. With live art workshops dotting the landscape, even those who haven't held a paintbrush since grade school can dabble in a bit of artistic expression.

The highlight of the day promises to be Kansas City muralist Alexander Austin's talk at 11 am. With an impressive portfolio that includes the Downtown Black History and Performing Arts Mural in Joplin, Missouri, Austin is no stranger to the art scene, having painted captivating works across the United States. The National Park Service details that his mural celebrates African American artists with connections to Joplin, including the renowned poet Langston Hughes.

Following the artistic thread, at noon, a park ranger will lead "Casting A Legacy-An Outdoor Art Walk," a stroll that explores commemorative art along the Carver trail. As noted by the National Park Service, this is a chance to view George Washington Carver's artwork through the "Expressions of the Soul" exhibit that chronicles his journey in art.

And let's not forget the kids – National Junior Ranger Day is their opportunity to earn a special Art in the Park Junior Ranger badge and dive into a world of exploration. Whether they're keen on becoming a park explorer, sound explorer, night sky explorer, or following the footsteps of Carver as an explorer, this is their day to shine. The event is designed to inspire the next generation to learn about and protect their national heritage.