“PATIENT NATURE” – Juried Group Exhibit
“2019-2020 Traveling Audubon Photography Awards Exhibit” – Audubon Society
September 12 – October 31, 2020
Kaul Gallery
Well known for her images of Northern Minnesota flora, fauna and landscapes, “Patient Nature” is a group exhibit created in memory of area artist and photographer Joyce Kleven (2019).
FOCUS: Photographers were asked to submit work depicting birdlife in any form to the categories of Professional, Amateur, Youth or a special fourth category “Birds, Bees & Butterflies – Bemidji” reserved for images of native pollinators interacting with plants native to our area.
In addition to these juried submissions, also featured is the “2019 – 2020 Traveling Audubon Photography Awards Exhibit” →
Award Winners and Honorable Mentions
Kids Art – FREE Pollinator Art Kits Grab & Go!
It's time for Bemidji's Monarch Butterfly Festival! Saturday, September 12 between 1 and 3pm, we'll be giving away Pollinator Art Kits for kids! The kit contains goodies related to Monarchs, like butterfly drawing/coloring activities, a terra cotta pot with painting supplies, pollinator seeds, potting soil to start your own mini-garden..and more! Come down and pick yours up!
Kids Art – Monarch Acrylic Painting VIRTUAL Class
Kids will first learn how to draw a Monarch butterfly in its natural habitat. We will also learn about painting with acrylics and mixing colors, then we’ll transfer those skills to a canvas to create an amazing acrylic butterfly painting. This class will be hosted by art instructor Jill Oakes.
Joyce Kleven, Artist & Photographer
Joyce Kleven grew up on a farm west of Grand Forks, N.D. It was there that her love for photography had its roots. One of her father’s many interests was taking pictures, so at the age of 10 she became his eager student. He patiently taught Kleven not only how to manually adjust the camera settings and the art of composition, but he also made a darkroom and taught her how to print black and white pictures.
In 4-H, Kleven received the first North Dakota State Photography award, earning her a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress for a week in Chicago.
Kleven graduated from UND with a B.A. degree in math and economics and a B.S. degree in math education. Later she earned an M.S. degree in math education from BSU. She taught math for 33 years in Bemidji. She also took some graduation pictures and did dog show photography for others while traveling to show her champion English Setter.
After retirement in 2006, Kleven switched to digital photography and in 2010 started concentrating on her current passion for nature photography. Soon she also decided to build her own frames, print her own pictures and cut her own mats to display the pictures in her home. When friends started buying some, “Klevenwoods Photography” was born.
Hundreds of items gifted to Watermark by Kleven herself, including her framed and loose prints, books, and frames, will be on display for sale during the exhibit. Proceeds from sales will benefit Watermark programming.
“Patient Nature” is sponsored by Business Partner – Paul Bunyan Communications. The “2019 – 2020 Traveling Audubon Photography Awards Exhibit” is made possible by the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society.
“Patient Nature” opens in conjunction with the 4th Annual Monarch Butterfly Festival. Learn about pollinators, join online & socially distanced activities, and take the self-guided tour of Bemidji Native Plant Gardens.
Up to the minute Festival info: Monarch Butterfly Festival 2020 Facebook page →
Related Watermark events can be found on our Education page →
Audubon Celebrates 10th Audubon Photography Awards with Traveling Exhibit
In the 10th year of the contest, winning photos and honorable mentions were selected from 2,253 entrants from all 50 states, Washington D.C. and 10 Canadian provinces and territories to appreciate the wonder of birds and the places they inhabit.
This year, judges introduced the Plants for Birds Prize and the Fisher Prize. The Plants for Birds Prize was awarded to the highest scoring photograph submitted in the Plants for Birds Division, featuring birds and plants native to the area the photo was taken. The Fisher Prize was awarded to the photograph depicting the most creative approach to bird photography across all divisions: Professional, Amateur, Youth and Plants for Birds.
The new Plants for Birds Division highlights the importance of native plants that provide natural green spaces for birds and the insects they feed on. Audubon’s Plants for Birds program, supported by Coleman and Susan Burke, helps participants find bird-friendly plants native to their area that will attract and protect birds as well as make outdoor spaces better for the environment in the face of a warming climate.
For information on native plants and Birds, Bees & Butterflies in our region go the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society web page.
Additional information can also be found on the Audubon’s Plants for Birds program, supported by Coleman and Susan Burke, which provides resources for choosing and finding plants native to zip codes in the United States. Watermark Art Center supports the protocols stated by the Audubon with regards to ethical bird photography. You can find their guidelines here: Guide to Ethical Bird Photography.
