The Art of Nature, the Nature of Art … and Sharks

The chrysalis of Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) / © Bryan Pfeiffer

Join me this Friday, February 2, from 5-6PM, at North Branch Nature Center (NBNC) in Montpelier, Vermont, for a gallery showing and reception during ArtWalk, the city’s adventure in visual creativity. We’ll be celebrating among some giant prints from me and Wayne Fawbush in NBNC’s new Maxham Room, which is fast becoming a center for art, science, nature and public gathering.

Wayne and I will talk about our different angles on photography. Besides the half-dozen of my prints on display, I’ll run a continuous slide show with other scenes from nature — mostly flying things, including that butterfly above (which isn’t quite ready to launch). Maybe we’ll discuss whether my photography amounts to actual art or little more than a reflection of nature put in a frame and brought indoors. (I’m not entirely sure.)

By the way, among the many options during ArtWalk on Friday will be “Avian Inspired” paintings from Linda Mirabile. That reception runs from 4-7 PM in the Governor’s Gallery in Montpelier’s famed Pavilion building. (I’ll be there at 4!)

And if all that nature isn’t enough for you, we’ll end the evening Friday with an apex predator. NBNC’s Naturalist Journeys lecture series features biologist and Montpelier native Lindsay Graff’s research adventures with Great White Sharks. Lindsay’s talk begins at 7PM.

Sharks in the state capital. Go figure. See you there!