Sterling Nature Center's
Art & Nature Exhibition Wall
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The Art & Nature Wall is one of the exciting new additions to the Sterling Nature Center, providing a space where local artists who are inspired by nature can showcase and sell their work. This rotating exhibit highlights art that celebrates the beauty of the natural world, featuring a variety of mediums from painting and photography to mixed media. By supporting these artists, we continue to foster a deeper connection between art and nature, inspiring creativity and appreciation for the environment.
If you're an artist interested in exhibiting your work, please contact us for more information!
A Naturalist’s View by Jim D’Angelo
As a naturalist, I interpret nature to help people become more aware of it, learn about it, care for it, and encourage them to respect and preserve it. My photography is an extension of that, helping to tell the story of Nature and, hopefully, making a better connection with the wildlife and nature it portrays. The writings are more personal, taking you deeper into my thoughts, feelings, and philosophy of nature. Combining the two will give you a better connection to the nature that surrounds and supports us.
The writings need more “free time” to be completed, something I struggle to find, as life often seems to have too many distractions. For photography, inspiration can be quick and straightforward, a teachable moment, a bird sitting still and in range of my camera, or a mink hopping along the stream. The writings can be sparked by the exact moment, but can take time to form, be put down on paper, and looked back at to revise, expand on, or make more concise. Having the creative, stress-free time to do this is challenging. Photography is easier to share in the moment on social media, which has replaced the notebook nature journaling I used to do. Having a lightweight digital camera that I can always have with me helps in capturing the unexpected, unplanned moments. It also makes sharing on social media quick; photos just taken can be posted in seconds. Getting out and being at the right place at the right time isn’t all luck. You can’t get an amazing winter sunset photo without being out in winter at sunset. Not every sunset will be spectacular, but they will be a sunset you can enjoy.