Conservation Photographer John Weller Introduces Exhibition at Jackson Hole’s National Museum of Wildlife Art

Conservation photographer John Weller introduced an exhibition of his work, “The Last Ocean: Antarctica’s Ross Sea Photographs by John Weller,” at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Distinguished guests attended the lecture and viewed the exhibition, on display through January 29, 2012.

Hunting Adelies, The Ross Sea, Antarctica. © John B. Weller

Jackson Hole, Wyoming – October 12, 2011 – Award-winning conservation photographer John Weller gave an impassioned presentation in Jackson, Wyo., at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, stressing the importance of protecting the pristine ecosystem of Antarctica’s Ross Sea.  “Conservation is a necessity, not a luxury,” said Weller in his talk before an audience that included acclaimed Antarctic scientist David Ainley and Claire Christian of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition and the Antarctic Ocean Alliance in Washington, D.C.  Weller’s presentation was in honor of the opening of an exhibition of his work, “The Last Ocean: Antarctica’s Ross Sea Photographs by John Weller,” on display at the museum through January 29, 2012.

“Weller has the unusual ability both to make great art and to speak intelligently about larger issues affecting our world,” said Adam Harris, National Museum of Wildlife Art curator of art.  “The message behind his work really speaks to our overall goals as an institution interested in humanity’s relationship with nature.”

Through his remarkable photographs, John Weller celebrates the Ross Sea as one of the last healthy marine environments, offering a glimpse into the lives of wildlife from Emperor penguins to silverfish that inhabit the remote region both above and below the ocean’s surface.  A SeaWeb fellow and photographer/writer based in Boulder, Colo., he received a 2009 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation to support his work to promote protection of the Ross Sea.  For more information on those efforts, visit The Last Ocean Charitable Trust website.

Two additional fall exhibitions at the National Museum of Wildlife Art offer thought-provoking connections between animals, habitat and humans as presented through the fine arts: In “George McLean: The Living Landscape” (November 19, 2011 – April 22, 2012), the artist uses meticulous fieldwork to create what has been described as “wilderness live- action painting.” And the avian artwork show “In the Spotlight: Mark Eberhard’s On the Edge” (October 22, 2011 – April 15, 2012) uses a painting of bird species on the brink of extinction as its centerpiece.

A member of the Museums West consortium and accredited by the American Association of Museums, the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States provides an exciting calendar of exhibitions from its permanent collection and changing exhibitions from around the globe.  A complete is available online at www.wildlifeart.org.  The museum is also active on Facebook and on Twitter at @wildlifeartjh.

Media Contacts: Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, 307.734.5335, darla@wordenpr.com; Ponteir Sackrey, National Museum of Wildlife Art, 307.732.5444, psackrey@wildlifeart.org.

###

Ward + Blake Architects Named AIA Wyoming Firm of the Year

Jackson Hole firm wins for almost 20 years of architectural contributions

The EHA Family Trust Residence, winner of the AIA Award of Citation.

 Jackson, Wyoming – October 3, 2011 – Ward + Blake Architects has been named 2011 Firm of the Year by AIA Wyoming at its recent Honor Awards ceremony.   In addition, the Jackson, Wyo. firm won an Award of Citation for its EHA Family Residence.  About its selection of Ward + Blake for Firm of the Year, the AIA states: “For nearly 20 years Ward + Blake has contributed to the ongoing design discourse of New West architecture in Wyoming by creating contextually designed public spaces and homes that possess an accountability to the site, client, and historical continuum in which they were conceived.”

“We are deeply honored by the Firm of the Year recognition from AIA Wyoming,” says Ward + Blake Principal Mitch Blake.  “It is especially meaningful to receive an award that stresses collaboration and long-term contributions to the community, both of which have always been an important part of our overall mission.”

“It’s terrific to have our staff and body of work recognized in this way,” adds Ward + Blake Principal Tom Ward.  “We continually strive to learn and grow, pushing the boundaries with our passion for sustainable, contextual design, honestly expressed.  It’s gratifying to be acknowledged for how that looks over the past 20 years even as we continue to evolve and refine our mutual vision.”

The AIA Wyoming Firm of the Year Award recognizes the continuing collaboration among individuals in a firm that has produced distinguished architecture over a period of at least 10 years, has made significant contributions to the institute, the profession, and the community, and has transcended local boundaries.  As a whole, the AIA Wyoming Design Awards program recognizes excellence in design, planning, and construction of projects located anywhere in the world that are designed by AIA architects registered and licensed in Wyoming.  The 2011 awards banquet was held at Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson on September 23.

Ward + Blake’s EHA Residence, Winner of the Award of Citation, is a 7,334-square-foot home built in a grove of Aspens between the Teton Range and the Snake River in Jackson Hole.  One of the home’s unique features is traditional dovetailed logs finished with cast glass “chinking” to allow diffused light into the interior space by day and to provide a lantern effect by night.

Ward + Blake Architects was built on a distinctive vision: be provocative in thought, flexible in nature and disciplined in execution. Since 1996, the firm has gained recognition for architecture that is sensitive to its environment and successfully integrated with its surroundings.  Ward + Blake creates buildings that are tactile, modern, bio-climatically responsible, honestly expressed, technologically sound and artfully crafted.  For additional information visit Ward + Blake online at www.wardblakearchitects.com or call 307.733.6867.

Media Contact: Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, darla@wordenpr.com, 307.734.5335

###