The Land America Leaves Wild

(Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore by Diana Wege)

I had the unique opportunity to photograph an art reception at the Interlochen Center of the Arts. The artist’s name is Diana Wege and her show titled, “The Land America Leaves Wild” was hosted by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. The reception was held at the Herbert H. and Barbara C. Dow Center for Visual Arts building at Interlochen.

Diana is a very talented artist and the show looked wonderful in that gallery setting. I brought my good friend and fellow photographer, Bevin Buchler, to help photograph the art works and the reception. We did both separately. Photographing the artwork was a fun and challenging experience. I took care of the lights, and final edits and Bevin photographed the artwork.

Bevin Buchler photographing Diana Wege’s artwork. The photographs below are mine.

Diana Wege and Glen Chown. Glen is the executive director of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.

Diana Wege speaking to her admirers.

Diana Wege and her father, Peter Wege

During the reception I overheard someone talking to Diana’s father about a book he had written. He was also signing autographs in the lobby at the end of the show. Peter Wege is ninety-years-old and Bevin was fascinated by his hands. She captured several photographs of him signing autographs. After the reception Bevin decided to do some research on Peter and discovered that his father founded Steelcase in Grand Rapids. The company is the largest manufacturer of office furniture in the world. Peter later started the Wege Foundation.  Here’s an excerpt from the foundation website;

Peter Wege started The Wege Foundation in 1967 out of his love for the Earth and all its people. In the book he wrote in 1998, Economicology: The Eleventh Commandment, Peter coined the word “Economicology” to sum up his environmental philosophy. A prosperous economy depends on a healthy ecology. Economy + Ecology = Economicology.

Diana’s show follows her through all the fifty states as she finds and paints scenes of nature. The show is a culmination of 15 years worth of work. You can find Diana’s book by clicking here