The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Art Gallery will join in the 150th anniversary celebration of the publication of Henry David Thoreau’s seminal work when it presents The Maine Woods by nationally renowned photographer Scot Miller from Nov. 30 through Jan. 9. This exhibit is sponsored and was developed by the Harvard Museum of Natural History. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Opening Reception and Book Signing on Dec. 1 from 5-6:30 p.m., which is being held in conjunction with Miller’s Distinguished Lecturer presentation at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center.
Miller is a nationally renowned photographer and videographer. He has contributed to the video series Moment in Nature, broadcast nationally on Emmy Award-winning CBS Sunday Morning. His work has also been used in conjunction with the Yosemite Conservancy, the Walden Woods Project, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
An award-winning photographer, his work has formed the basis of numerous books, including: Walden: The 150th Anniversary Illustrated Edition of the American Classic; Cape Cod: The Illustrated Edition of the American Classic; First Light: Five Photographers Explore Yosemite’s Wilderness; My First Summer in the Sierra: 100th Anniversary Illustrated Edition; and Thoreau, The Maine Woods: A Photographic Journey Through an American Wilderness. Eighty-nine of Miller’s photos illustrate “Walden,” and 63 of his photos illustrate “Cape Cod.” His book, “My First Summer in the Sierra,” won a National Outdoor Book Award in 2011.
With The Maine Woods, Miller has partnered with the Harvard Museum of Natural History to create this exhibition of 32 contemporary photographs and video from Maine. The photographs and interpretive graphics are organized around Thoreau’s three mid-19th century expeditions to northern Maine chronicled in the Maine Woods essays, Ktaadn, Chesuncook, and Allegash & East Branch. Inspired by these journeys, Miller has employed patience, passion, and artistry to create a thoughtful portrait of wilderness and change in Maine’s “wildest country.”
“I was delighted to work with Harvard curator, Jan Sacco, and Scot to bring this body of work to campus,” Reed Gallery Director Heather Sincavage said. “While ‘The Maine Woods’ is essentially our backyard, Scot captures a beauty of our landscape with a true artistic eye. This is an unique opportunity for us to honor our region for its historical significance and take part in the dialogue around the contemporary impact of transcendentalism to our environment.”
In addition to its Opening Reception on Dec. 1, The Maine Woods will be open for the First Friday Art Walk on Dec. 4 from 5-7 p.m. The public is encouraged to come out to First Friday and attend this free event. Light refreshments will be served. Please follow gallery happenings on the Reed Gallery Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ReedArtGallery.
The Reed Fine Art Gallery is newly located in the Center for Innovative Learning. It has new hours and is open Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The gallery is closed during University holidays. For more information about this event, please contact Sincavage at heather.sincavage@umpi.edu.