Metroparks opens nature photography exhibit
Written by Amy Biolchini | | ABiolchini@toledofreepress.comFour nature photography exhibits open Sept. 4 at the National Center for Nature Photography inside Secor Metropark.
“It’s more than just pretty pictures, but to inspire people to come out and enjoy the local natural areas,” said Scott Carpenter, director of public relations at Toledo Metroparks. “Most importantly, it showcases nature and the metroparks.”
Karen Pugh said, gallery manager at Secor Metropark, said, “When you look closely at something, you can see it in new ways. When you appreciate something and learn more about it, you ultimately preserve and conserve it.”
Visitors used to come to the metropark and stumble across the photography gallery, Pugh said. Now the gallery is a destination and draws an average of 8,000 to 9,000 visitors a year.
The four new exhibits will be open for two months. Headlining the exhibit are 37 prints from noted photographer Howard Burkert, which are available for purchase. Burkert’s work is composed of landscape and wildlife photos taken locally and throughout North America.
Adult participants from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, who are learning nature photography, will have their photos on display as well. The Board of Developmental Disabilities partnered with Lott Industries to give the participants a chance to show their works in the “Lotts of Nature” exhibit.
Other exhibits include photos from members of the Naturalists’ Camera Club of Toledo and the Toledo Photo Arts Club, featuring 50 close-up photographs of mushrooms taken by Bill Blanton. Director of photography at Secor Metropark, Art Weber will showcase 16 prints of autumn scenes taken on walks around the metroparks. Throughout the year, Pugh said the Secor Metropark hosts outdoor photography classes, as well as intro to photography workshops that begin indoors.
The National Center for Nature Photography is free and open on weekends from noon to 5 p.m. It will host local artist Harold Roe when he gives a free presentation titled “Wanderings and Wonderings” at 2 p.m. Sept. 12.
Roe is a four-time winner of the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp competition, and is best known for his naturalistic paintings of birds. A former Navy seaman and traveler to Canada, Alaska, Africa and Australia, Roe has an established perspective as an outdoorsman.
Tags: Art Weber, Metroparks
