Jeff's Art Show in March presents Africa

A couple of years ago, when we were young and childless, Steph and I went to South Africa for a couple of weeks. We flew into Capetown and drove around the southern coast through the infamous yummy wine country toward the East coast and then up to Kruger National Park for a safari. It was one of the most incredible experiences we have ever had-up there with New Zealand, where we went for our honeymoon the year before. The nature throughout South Africa and, of course, into the wild was breathtaking! The safari was just like we had imagined...full of education, energy and beauty (with a touch of danger!)...just like National Geographic!
On our latest trip to Africa we were on a mission to bring home our soon-to-be-adopted-son, Zelalem. We decided to leave a week early to go on a safari on the Masai Mara in Kenya. For a more journalistic version of this trip, see the Inside Scoop while we were in Kenya and Ethiopia throughout our mission to bring home our son. The experience was again, incredible! Both countries blew us away with impressive displays of beauty, hospitality, and smiles! When we arrived home with our newest addition to the family all I could think of was what a wonderful place this child came from-so rich in culture, history and love. I found that I became teary-eyed whenever I tried to explain this amazing place to people. I really wanted them to see what I saw and to feel how I felt. I really wanted to share my experiences with those that may never get the opportunity to go and see for themselves.
I decided to have an Art Show. I spent endless hours going through all of the thousands of images taken throughout Africa and selected the ones that best described the many emotions and sites and textures that exist. I enlarged them to a scale that would offer more impact when viewed from various distances. I used the best quality photographic papers and processing to bring out the richness in color and dimension of the landscapes and the people. I am very excited to present "The Essence of Africa", the latest in my Lifestyle Photography. The exhibit will feature photographs from the Masai Mara in Kenya, images taken in South Africa and, of course, Ethiopia. The exhibit will be in the Gallery of the Oak Park Public Library from March 1 to March 30. The Oak Park Public Library in located at 834 Lake St. and is open to the public.
A reception will be held Sunday, March 16 from 3-5pm and a special audio/visual display will be presented at 4:15. I look forward to seeing you there!