I went on a road trip this past weekend to see the exhibits at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown New York. Without sounding like the Travel Guy, it was only about a 2 ½-hour drive down the Thruway, past Buffalo! Books on tape carried us through.
This beautiful building houses collections of works, along with an extensive library, of America’s preeminent naturalist of the twentieth century, Roger Tory Peterson. Mr. Peterson is best known for his preeminent work as a bird illustrator, creating the Peterson Field Guide Series. Wow, he certainly was talented!
Peterson also completed some works with less technical details that are beautiful, like this “Snowy Owl” piece that he painted in 1976.
We actually went to see a collection by an illustrator who was one of Peterson’s friendly competitors in the illustration trade, Arthur Singer. Two of our favorites from the Singer Collection were “Peregrine Falcons in the Mist, 1978” as well as a great painting of pelicans.
Also to our surprise, we encountered some very interesting work by Stanley Meltzoff. Here is “Secrets of Arcimboldo’s Reef, 2000” which glows from the wall. If you have time during this holiday season, I suggest you take a trip!
– Rachel Baker August, Executive Director for the Seneca Park Zoo Society
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