Victoria McClendon-Leggett
With a new-ish interest in photography, LEAP Ambassadors stopped by the Sam Houston Memorial Museum on Wednesday to see an exhibit of photographs taken by local talent Derek Birdsall and Casey Roon. The results were impressive!
The gallery was laid out in impressive fashion, with gray walls that accentuate the photographs and well-placed lighting.
Additional decor was added which, combined with the beautiful photography, made for a wonderful gallery.
In all, there were 43 photographs, approximately split between the two photographers. When he’s not taking great photographs, Derek Birdsall is the Education Curator of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. And when Casey Roon isn’t taking evocative photographs, she works as the Marketing Curator of the Museum. Other museum staff, such as Mac Woodward, Megan Buro, and Joanne Purvis, and Peter Grivich, were also on hand. The latter staff member, Grivich, was also present in spirit throughout the photographs: he served as a model in many of the photographs, and as the landscape architect of the Museum, his handiwork was visible in every photograph.
The exhibit shows the Museum in both its splendor and diversity. One of our favorite photos, was a “Monet-style image,” taken by Birdsall.
It’s shimmery look and blended colors capture the look of an impressionist painting. Other favorites included flowers, trees, and a creek, photos that display the variety of images in the park…
…and the skill with which the photographers captured light, color, and motion (the creek was shot with an iPhone!).
My favorite by Ms. Roon was “Cold Shoulder by a Hawk,” which aptly demonstrates the birders should spend some time at the SHMM!
It was a delightful exhibit, and is perfect for newcomers to Huntsville or, at least, the Museum–and for those who wish to see the Museum through new eyes!
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