Photographer Clyde Butcher's Islamorada Exhibit Celebrates U.S. National Park Service Centennial
ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Photography and nature fans can explore an exhibit by Florida's legendary black-and-white landscape photographer Clyde Butcher this summer at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada.
Butcher's exhibit, titled "Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial," runs through Aug. 28 and is sponsored by The Everglades Trust. Butcher is renowned for his photographs of the Florida Everglades and his exhibit salutes the park service's 100th "birthday" on Aug. 25.
"Viewing Butcher's work not only allows the individual a glimpse into the soul of the foremost American landscape photographer of our time, but affords them the opportunity to step away from the technology that encapsulates the modern world and into its simple and awe-inspiring beauty," said Brad Bertelli, curator and historian at the center, located at mile marker 82 on the property of the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost.
The 24 images on display include 11 that capture Florida's scenic beauty and 13 showcasing national parks in Arizona, California, Maine, New York, Oregon, South Dakota and Wyoming.
For more than 50 years, Butcher, first inspired as a photographer by an Ansel Adams exhibit at Yosemite National Park, has created exquisite black-and-white photographs of North America's untouched natural landscapes and national parks.
Among his many accolades, Butcher has been honored with a lifetime achievement award from the North American Nature Photography Association and the Sierra Club's Ansel Adams Conservation Award, recognizing a photographer's excellence and contributions to public environmental awareness.
"An exhibit of this magnitude offers the opportunity to view world-class artistry that might not otherwise be shown in the Upper Keys. It also exposes the wonderful history of the Upper Keys to our visitors and community members," Bertelli said.
The 7,500-square-foot Discovery Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. General admission is $12 per adult, $10 for seniors and free for children 13 and under. Books and calendars highlighting Butcher's work are for sale.
Florida Keys History & Discovery Center information: keysdiscovery.com or 305-922-2237
Islamorada visitor information: fla-keys.com/islamorada or 1-800-FAB-KEYS
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Renowned photographer Clyde Butcher working in the swamps of Florida.
Butcher has created exquisite black-and-white photographs of North America's untouched natural landscapes and national parks for over 50 years.
Renowned photographer Clyde Butcher working in the swamps of Florida. Photo: Niki Butcher