From Saturday until the end of May visitors of the Crosby Arboretum can enjoy not only a walk through nature, but the photography of Lana Gramlich.
Her work will be on display at the local attraction starting Saturday with a gallery opening from 1 to 3 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at the event.
Gramlich has won many awards and honors and had her photography published in a number of publications. Her photography focuses on the beauty of nature, making them a perfect fit for the arboretum.
Her work is also sold at the arboretum in the gift shop, said Senior Curator Jill Mirkovich.
This display is one of many that rotate through the arboretum on a quarterly basis to share works from the many local artists, Mirkovich said.
Gramlich said she began taking photographs as reference images that she would later use to paint nature scenes. But once she got her photos back home, she realized the art was already done.
Initially she started out with film photography, until her equipment was stolen one day, which put her hobby on hold for a while until a friend gave her a small digital camera in 2007.
Initially the switch from film to digital seemed daunting, but once she got the hang of it Gramlich said she fell in love.
She now uses a digital single lens reflex camera.
Currently, one of her images is among several being voted on to be published in the next issue of National Geographic. The image is of a sunset through a row of live oak trees covered in Spanish moss. It’s top in the running as of Thursday afternoon and can be seen by visiting the National Geographic website at http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/daily-dozen/.
The thing she enjoys most about photography is it gives her a reason to experience nature.
“If I couldn’t take pictures I would still be in nature,” Gramlich said. “I use this as a tool to share what I see with other people.”
Gramlich, who currently resides in Abita Springs, Louisiana, said she will be at the Arboretum’s art opening on Saturday.
“I’m glad for the opportunity to partner with them for this show. I think it’s a fantastically beautiful place,” Gramlich said.