A partnership between art and the environment


Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the United Arts Council have joined together to promote the arts and the environment. This year we celebrate our second year of joint programming. While applied science is the focus of most Reserve activities, we acknowledge that there are many pathways toward greater understanding of the natural world.

The Environmental Learning Center’s art gallery creates an opportunity for people to increase their sense of wonder for nature by stimulating and celebrating personal expression through the visual arts. It is hoped that this process will help people build connections with, and establish a sense of value for the rich diversity of life with which we share this planet.

Photography by - Dave Graff
May 12 - Oct 1

Dave Graff, education specialist at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, is the featured artist in the gallery at the Environmental Learning Center. With an undergraduate degree in photocommunications from University of Miami, Graff combines his love for the outdoors with photography as a way to explore and learn more about our natural environment. His collection of more than 20 photographs, mainly from Florida’s natural areas, will be on exhibit at the Center for the summer. A free opening reception is scheduled for Friday, May 30, 5:30 -7pm, light refreshments provided. All of his pieces will be available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Friends of Rookery Bay

Photography Annual
Juried by Clyde Butcher


February 5 – May 3, 2008
As the juror for our exhibition, Clyde selected four pieces for merit as follows:
1st place: Rod Wiley
2nd place: Perry James Locke
3rd place: Jay Staton
4th place: Cailin Ervin


November 2007 – January 31, 2008:
From Observation
Works Informed by Graham Nickson’s Marathons.

October 1 – November 3, 2007:
Nancy Asbell

May - September, 2007:
Ding Darling Exhibit

Works by J.N. “Ding” Darling, the nationally-syndicated editorial cartoonist

May 11 - October 2, 2006:
The Storter Exhibit

A unique collection by Rob Storter, whose folk-art included paintings and writings depicting what life was like in the Naples area in the early 1900’s.

March - April, 2007:
Annual Works on Paper Exhibit

January, 2007- March 2007:
Annual Photography Exhibit

November 2006 - January 2007:
Annual Painting Exhibit

October 2006:
Collier County Public School Show

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