On Friday, September 2nd, the WILD Foundation is teaming up with the Boulder Photo Festival (BPF) and Rayback Collective to curate a WILD Cities themed photo gallery which will unmask the multitude of ways people experience wild nature within their own cities. The event is free and open to the public, and will take place from 7:00-10:00pm at the Rayback Collective. Guests are encouraged to RSVP beforehand.
The WILD Cities: A Photographic Exploration of Urban Wilderness event will feature 20 images of urban wildlife and wild nature found right here in Boulder, and beyond. The gallery will feature the work of 11 talented photographers from the Boulder and WILD Foundation communities. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the story behind each individual photograph, offering a rare glimpse into the work of these artists.
The event will kick off the 5th annual Boulder Photo Festival (formerly the Telluride Photo Festival), which is making its debut in Boulder from September 2-5.”We’ve been thinking about moving the festival to the Front Range for a while now, and Boulder is an ideal home for our event. Not only are there vibrant arts and outdoor sports communities, but it allows us to partner more closely with organizations like the WILD Foundation and those in the photo industry,” said Eric Moore, director of the festival.
“Though our festival features many photographic genres ranging from action sports to editorial, conservation photography, and its message, is one of the areas we strongly encourage our participants to embrace. Several conservation organizations, like the WILD Foundation, have partnered with our festival since its inception. We respect the hard work that these organizations provide to protect our wild places. BPF, WILD and the Rayback Collective look forward to bringing the work of these 11 talented photographers to the Boulder community on September 2nd.”
Participating photographers are: Karine Aigner, Clay Bolt, Gloria Dickie, Morgan Heim, Jaymi Heimbuch, Melanie Hill, Keith Ladzinski, Dave Leatherman, Andy Mann, Jaime Rojo, and Ryan Wakat. Visit the Facebook event page to learn more about each photographer.
The September 2nd event also highlights the WILD Foundation’s WILD Cities program, which fosters community stewardship of nature in and around cities so nature can protect and nurture all urban life. As cities throughout the world rapidly expand, a variety of wild nature and animals are adapting their lifestyles in order to thrive within our urban centers. Now, more than ever, we are realizing that nature is a city’s most beneficial and essential neighbor!
Backyard bobcat caught on camera just outside of downtown Boulder
“WILD has a long-standing history of collaborating with various groups and individuals on the topic of wilderness protection, and this event is one prime example of how our organization operates,” said Melanie Hill, WILD’s Communications Director. “We strongly believe that our work is more successful and meaningful when done in concert with groups that are aligned with our mission.”
The Rayback Collective, Boulder’s new food truck park and event space, is the ideal venue partner for the exhibit. “The Rayback is excited to co-host this event in support of the WILD Foundation’s conservation efforts, and also to welcome the Boulder Photo Festival as it makes its debut here in town,” said Hank Grant, Co-Founder and President of the Rayback Collective. “As the owners of a recently opened local business, we understand the importance of collaborating with and supporting small, local events and organizations that are in line with our ways of thinking.”
“Communities all around the world are seeing the need to protect the wild nature that exists in and around our urban spheres. This is especially true right here in Boulder, where we are surrounded by vast open space and a diversity of wildlife. The WILD Cities event on September 2nd will help shine a light on the incredible environment that makes our city so unique,” said Grant.
Join us on September 2nd from 7:00-10:00 pm at the Rayback Collective to experience these breathtaking images in person, meet participating artists, connect with people from the conservation and photography industries, and learn about the work of the WILD Foundation and Boulder Photo Festival. Be one of the first 100 people to RSVP and you’ll also receive a free pint from Asher Brewing!
Many thanks to our sponsors at Bay Photo Lab, a certified green business, for generously donating these prints to WILD, and to Asher Brewing, Colorado’s first all organic brewery, for supplying us with delicious beers!
