America the Beautiful

January 15 - April 3, 2021

Clyde Butcher, Oxbow Bend 63, 2006, Silver Gelatin Print AP1/3, 52 x 100 inches

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Clyde Butcher Finds Beauty in America

January 15 - April 3, 2021

Clyde Butcher is an acclaimed photographer who has made it his mission to photograph and document wild and natural places across America for the last 50 years. He grew up in California and later relocated to Florida, finding peace and his life's mission within the Everglades. In this photographic exhibit, America the Beautiful, whose content stretches from the Redwood forests of California to the Everglades swamps of Florida, Butcher has captured the essence of our natural spaces and treasured landscapes. His images document the changing environment, capturing what is there today and encouraging us to enjoy the beauty of wilderness. He raises awareness of our remote places and the species who live there, allowing us a serene adventure through his lens. Clyde's images in this exhibition present the diverse places of wilderness and respite found throughout all of America and allow us to appreciate the beauty across our land.

America the Beautiful opened to the public on January 15, 2021, and will be on display in all three first floor galleries of the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum. No reservations are required to visit, $5 admission for non members, open Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm.

The Artistic Process

Each dramatic landscape is the outcome of patience, perseverance, and determination. Butcher waits hours, sometimes years, until the light, clouds, and composition comes together. Carrying large-format camera gear weighing up to 120 pounds, he crosses difficult terrain, stands in chest-deep water for hours, and is aware of wildlife that make these territories home. Butcher is deeply committed to recording the beauty of our natural landscapes.

Student Photography Contest

In conjunction with Clyde Butcher's America the Beautiful, Gadsden Arts offered a student photo competition to local children ages 10-19: Black & White Nature Photography. Students were encouraged to explore the natural landscape of their area and submit black and white photographs. The top winners in each of the 3 age brackets had their photograph printed, framed, and exhibited at the museum (April 2021), while all entires are available to view on the Museum's Flickr page.

Grades 3 - 6

1st Place (above image):
Blythe Lewis, "Lake View"

Honorable Mentions:

Aubrey Benners, "Benners at the Blue Hole"
Makenzie Davis, "The Palm"
Finley Boland, "Southern Beauty"

Grades 7 - 9

1st Place (above image):
Kareem Dawoud, "The Hidden Valley"

Honorable Mentions:

John Fletcher Butler, "Lonely Lake"

Sarah Cannon, "Hibiscus"

Grades 10 - 12

1st Place (above image):
Emma Messer, "Trefoil of Winter"

Honorable Mentions:

Juanita Forehand, "Winter Bird"

Sarah Caulley Soto, "Pride of the Savannah"

Learn More

Past Programming

Sacred Waters

Exploring the Protection of Florida’s Fluid Landscapes
Wednesday February 10, 5:30pm

Zoom Presentation with Victoria Machado, Scholar
Sacred Waters explores efforts to restore Florida’s waterways. We will investigate the motivations of environmentalists who love and advocate for these water bodies. By focusing on issues related to springs and the Everglades, we will dive into the conversations that arise when Floridians view water as essential to their quality of life. Click here to view the presentation on Youtube.

Florida Water Stories

Thursday February 25, 5:30pm

Zoom Presentation with Steven Noll, P.h.D.

Florida has had a long and difficult relationship with water, from early attempts to turn water into land to present day concerns about water quality and sea level rise. University of Florida History professor Dr. Steven Noll will discuss the history of water in Florida and look at how that history shapes the future. Click here to view a recording of the presentation on YouTube.

Virtual Meet & Greet with Clyde Butcher

Thursday March 11, 1:00pm

Zoom Presentation with Gadsden Arts staff and Clyde Butcher
Virtually meet the renowned photographer and Florida Artist Hall of Fame Artist winner, Clyde Butcher. The artist will join us from his home in south Florida for a lively discussion about his America the Beautiful series, and the audience will have chance to ask question. Check back soon to view a recording of the presentation.

Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Funding was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.