March 12 – May 28, 2011

Departing from Florida, where he has earned a reputation as staunch supporter of the environment as well as a consummate artist, Butcher now invites us to experience entirely new environments with extremes of altitude, geology, temperature and light. For the past five years Butcher has traveled across the country exploring the majestic drama of our National Parks and open spaces. Spanning the four corners of the United States from Maine to California and from Florida to Washington he has made over 1,500 negatives to date with his custom built film cameras for this project.

Butcher’s photographs seem larger than life, like the artist himself, and compel us to step into the places he depicts. His unique talent is that he sees and feels vistas that sing the spirit of place. The artist’s sixth sense draws out the power and essence of the places he photographs.

Butcher’s large scale photographs are permanently on view in many of the state’s public buildings including the Capitol, airports and museums. His books and prints can be found in the homes and offices of some of our most influential decision makers from legislators to corporate chairmen. Numerous museums around the country and the world have presented solo exhibitions of his work.

For fifty years Butcher has used large format view cameras similar to those used by Jackson, O’Sullivan, and Watkins – the men who accompanied Lewis and Clark and other explorers who widened the boundaries of a growing America. 150 years ago they sent home sent home astounding images that whet our appetite to experience these places ourselves. Butcher, with his heightened sense of drama, gives us just such images today – images that let us see these places as if for the first time, with an intensity that often escapes the casual visitor.

Butcher’s photographs are imbued with the spirit of unfettered possibilities – the same spirit that beckoned and challenged a nation of people to discover their future as they traveled west in awe and wonder through the American landscape. We are pleased to invite you to share this American spirit and vision.

Exhibition continues through May 28, 2011
Gallery hours: Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays Noon to 5:00 p.m.