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H2O Trickle Down Photography Exhibition At Lighthouse ArtCenter: Follow The Flow From The Aquifer To The Ocean’s Deep. Opening Reception January 16 Open To The Public
What do you really know about our Florida water system? The Lighthouse ArtCenter brings us seven of Florida’s greatest devotees to our wild places, using film and photos that enchant visitors to this new exhibition, ” H2O Trickle Down Photography Exhibition: Follow the flow from the aquifer to the ocean’s deep”. The Opening Reception on Thursday, January 16 is Open To The Public. These photos deepen the understanding of our need to protect our wilderness and by extension connect us with water – that life-giving property without which we would all perish. It was through the awe-inspiring paintings of the canyons and mountains of the West, that Americans came to know and love its majesty, and as a result the National Park System was born. As an added bonus, the original artwork of Charles Walker, one of Florida’s surviving Highwaymen painters, is on display in the pop-up gallery. Mr. Walker brings rich memories of abundant wildlife to mind with his brush and leads the way for us to understand the meaning of shifting baselines. The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks.
Lighthouse ArtCenter
373 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469
(561) 746-3201 www.LighthouseArts.org
Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
No charge for members, suggested donation for nonmembers $10
First Saturday of the month is free
Lighthouse ArtCenter Announces:
3rd Thursday
Thursday, January 16
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Wine and Hors d’oeuvres Reception
Free for Lighthouse ArtCenter members and $10 for non-members
“Using photography, a medium we all know, this astonishing group of photographers and filmmakers leads us into realms we might otherwise never experience,” said Janeen Mason, Curator. “Like the artists of yore who used brushes and paints to bring the West to life, these modern-day explorers lure us into a sense of wonder. They know that wonder is respect for life.”
Tom Fitz, six-time Emmy award-winner, has filmed all over the world for the BBC, PBS, National Geographic, and the Smithsonian. He is responsible for portions of the beloved Blue Planet series with Sir David Attenborough. During a dive into Ginnie Springs in North Florida, Mr. Fitz explored deep underwater caves and caverns, where he filmed some of the Floridan aquifer, the little-understood freshwater source that serves over 20,000,000 people in the southeastern United States. His resulting documentary has been seen around the world, and it is running in the gallery along, with some of his other meaningful films. Mr. Fitz established Schoolyard Films, a series of environmental documentaries that are freely shared with educators and students worldwide.
“Clyde” by Woody Walters
Clyde Butcher, considered Florida’s Ansel Adams, hauls his large format camera out into the Everglades to capture the endless river of grass and towering cloud formations in breathtaking black and white photos. His beloved photography evokes a deep sense of respect for our wild and scenic places.
Carlton Ward, Jr., a conservation photographer and National Geographic Explorer, with a passion for nature that was born from the Florida landscape, is showing his stunning stills and films. Mr. Ward’s mission is to inspire appreciation and protection of Florida’s original nature and culture – the endangered wilderness that is often hidden in plain sight, but very much needs our attention to be saved. He is the recipient of the 2019 Photojournalism Story Award from the Natural History Museum in London, for his film The Path of the Panther.
Photo by Carlton Ward, Jr.
Edie Widder, PhD, received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship for her work with Ocean Research and Conservation Association, where she serves as the Sr. Scientist and CEO. Dr. Widder was invited to participate in the esteemed TED Mission Blue Voyage to the Galapagos Islands, along with other leading thinkers and advocates of ocean conservation, including Sylvia Earle, Jean-Michel Cousteau, and Mike DeGruy, to name a few. Dr. Widder’s TED presentation was recorded from the deck of the ship Endeavor. She is responsible for the first film footage of live giant squid in their natural habitat, the first one off the coast of Japan, and most recently in the Gulf of Mexico. Her unique photography and films use technology she developed specifically for deep water marine life. Her work enables us the opportunity to see the astonishing range of previously undiscovered creatures who thrive in the darkest underwater zones once deemed unable to support life.
Mac Stone, a native of Gainesville, grew up on the swamp, wandered the hammocks, and explored the springs where his love blossomed for all creatures that swoop and swirl, slither and slide. Mr. Stone’s photos invite the viewers to look up through branches heavy with Spanish moss, where they can focus on a bird delicately preening in the late afternoon sun. A patient conservationist, Mac Stone has spent untold hours camouflaged in blinds, whether a hundred feet in the air or standing up to his chin in the swamp, quietly waiting for the perfect shot. His perseverance pays off.
These two national award-winning environmental photographers, Mac Stone and Carlton Ward, Jr., recently finished a film which is running in the gallery titled Ghost Orchid, in which they documented previously unknown pollinators of a rare botanical treasure, and their exciting discovery that rocked the world of Orchidaceae.
The ghost orchid is an endangered plant in the Everglades because of heavy poaching. Hard to find, there are still small populations deep in the swamp. Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, USA.
Photo by Mac Stone
Ruth Petzold followed her passion for nature and photography to exotic and remote locations of the world, both above and below the ocean’s surface. Ms. Petzold is an avid supporter and spokesperson for the Wild Dolphin Project. Her photos of marine life have garnered awards from the Caribbean to the Red Sea.
“The Lighthouse ArtCenter continues to provide meaningful exhibitions that engage our hearts while we are bombarded with news that challenges our souls. This keeps the Lighthouse ArtCenter the cultural hub of our vibrant community,” said Nancy Politsch, CEO.
As an added bonus to this timely exhibition, the original artwork of Charles Walker, one of Florida’s surviving Highwaymen painters, is on display in the pop-up gallery. Mr. Walker brings rich memories of abundant wildlife to mind with his brush and leads the way for us to understand the meaning of shifting baselines. These highly collectible works tell of a time of plenty. If we are to set a course to inspire environmental stewardship then we must ensure today’s children see these memories of plenty, so they can imagine how their choices can affect the future. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Mr. Walker’s pieces benefit the Hobe Sound Nature Center.
The Lighthouse ArtCenter, a 501 c (3) nonprofit, was founded in 1964 by eight artists and Christopher Norton. In the last 56 years it has grown to include a gallery, school of art, gift shop, and art supply store. Supported by memberships, sponsors, and grants, the ArtCenter is bursting at the seams. It currently serves over 22,000 visitors, 2,500 adult students, 45 faculty members, 600 children, and a comprehensive outreach program to benefit underserved and disabled residents in the community. Phase II of a capital campaign is underway. It is designed to raise the roof in order to expand the gallery and provide much-needed additional classroom space.
For further information about this event, classes, exhibits, or tours:
Please call (561) 746-3101 or go to www.LighthouseArts.org
Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery
373 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469
(561) 746-3201
Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm
Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art and Art Supply Store
395 Seabrook Road Tequesta, Florida 33469
(561)748-8737
Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Saturday 9 am – 4 pm
For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:
Rickie Leiter, Publisher
Rickie@therickiereport.com 561-537-0291
17019 SW Sapri Way Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
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