Franklin Admas and Nicholas Petrucci ©Connie Bransilver

Nicholas Petrucci ©Connie BransilverBorn in Champaign, Illinois, Nicholas Petrucci was raised in a family that valued travel, experience and the arts.  Visiting the great museums of Europe and the United States, Nicholas was enchanted by the creations of the Old Masters. Rembrandt and Caravaggio still inspire his art. World-renowned for his portraits, Nicholas, in the words of Oscar Wilde, paints “life’s experiences into each portrait.”

Nicholas believes, “there will be a paradigm shift in these uncertain times back to the clarity of the wisdom of the Old Masters; in essence, a renaissance of simple beauty in its pure form.”  If this is true, he is on the forefront of a powerful new movement in art.

Connie Bransilver ©Brian TietzRegarding the Guardians of the Everglades Nicholas says, “I want to honor those who have given so much of themselves to their belief in this unique natural habitat, to communicate to everyone that we must protect it and preserve it for those who will come after us.” www.NicholasPetrucci.com

 

Connie Bransilver's dedication to conservation photography spans 20 years and all seven continents with special emphasis on her own southwest Florida. Her two published books focus on the conservation of Florida’s swamp wetlands: Florida’s Unsung Wilderness: The Swamps, with a foreword by Dr. Jane Goodall, and Wild Love Affair: Essence of Florida’s Native Orchids. Her articles have appeared in many dozens of books and magazines in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, and she is widely known for her multi-media slide and music, poetry lecture presentations on human interaction with the natural world. Her artwork hangs in museums and major corporate and private collections. Her photograph of a Ghost Orchid was selected as a main image at the IUCN Congress in Barcelona, Spain. She is a charter Fellow in the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) dedicated to ethical conservation photography. 

Connie says, "The totality of the images in the Guardians of the Everglades installation gives this conservation story emotional appeal. It connects, inspires, and engages us, and paired with solid science and strong grass-roots conservation support, I believe we can protect our unique heritage." www.ConnieBransilver.comClyde Butcher ©Connie Bransilver

 

Clyde Butcher's photographs explore his personal relationship with the environment. For more than 40 years, he has been preserving on black and white film the untouched areas of the landscape.

Filmmaker Ken Burns says, "Clyde Butcher's remarkable photographs give us an access to nature we rarely see or experience.  They not only reveal the intimate and majestic beauty of the Everglades - and the need to save the fragile environment - they also remind us of the abiding kinship we mortals share when we work together to preserve these magnificent places.  Butcher's art is a national treasure."

"Clyde personifies the Everglades and dedication to conservation. That is why he not only joins in presenting this exhibition but why he is the first Guardian I painted,” stated Nicholas. www.ClydeButcher.com

Petrucci, Bransilver and Butcher strongly believe education and understanding are the keys to conservation.  In conjunction with Guardians of the Everglades they will develop political and funding goals for Everglades restoration. Teaching tools will be downloadable and school groups will be encouraged to visit.

Speaking for all participants, Nicholas said, “We envision the exhibition entertaining, educating and inspiring people to know, love and protect the Everglades.”