A Walk in the Arboretum: Digital Photocollages by Amy Ragus

Virtual Art Exhibition

Photographer Amy Ragus specializes in multiple frame images of New England landscapes—digital photocollages. Before and during the pandemic, Ragus spent time in the Arboretum, particularly interested in its role as a public space, its open access to everyone. Her work captures the discoveries she found just off a road or path, as well as the people who share this space and enjoy nature throughout the seasons. Explore her sensitive, creative depictions of walks in the Arboretum in this virtual exhibition.

Postponed: The Remarkable Photos of Leon Abdalian

This event has been postponed. Boston Public Library has cancelled all events through April. This event will be rescheduled for the fall. The photographer Leon Hampartzoum Abdalian was born in 1884 in what was Cilician Armenia, then located in the Ottoman Empire (now modern Turkey). He migrated with his family to the United States in April of 1896 and they eventually settled in Jamaica Plain.  It is believed that he was largely self-taught as a photographer.

Art Reception – The Path Taken: Photography by Lawrence Mullings

Opening Reception with the Artist:

Saturday, Feb. 8, 1:00-3:00pm

(Snowdate Feb. 15, 1:00-3:00pm)

Exhibition runs: February 7 – April 26, 2020

On any given day, Lawrence Mullings can be found exploring the paths and hidden corners of the Arboretum. While walking in the landscape to regain his health, his joy in photography was rekindled. He saw how the Arboretum was many different things to him, and to the many different people who come here from around the neighborhood and around the world.

Art Reception – The Light You Cannot See: Infrared Photography by Betsey Henkels

Join our exhibiting artist, Betsey Henkels, for a reception in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall on Saturday, October 26, 1:00-3:00pm. Exhibit runs October 25, 2019 – February 2, 2020

Betsey Henkels uses the camera to explore the world in two ways–first by noticing and appreciating objects that she might otherwise overlook, and second, by transforming ordinary scenes into prints that are compelling and unexpected. Henkels spent many hours in the Arboretum, photographing tree canopies, bark, and above ground roots in infrared. Infrared is magical and mysterious. The photographer shoots images without knowing exactly what will show up in the print.

Photography with Chris Morgan

Saturday, November 2, 1:00–4:00pm; [Arnold Arboretum, Hunnewell Building]

In this program, professional photographer Chris Morgan will discuss his photographic interests and methods in the classroom and then move outdoors to demonstrate his techniques. Class participants will be able to learn alongside Chris, evaluating views, debating camera angles, and considering focal points in order to shoot better images. Participants should bring their preferred photographic device. 

Fee $36; Register at my.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617-384-5277. When photographing, Chris draws on his background in the sciences and the humanities. He's a computer scientist as well as a musician and writer.

Smartphone Photography: Capturing the Colors of Autumn

Nancy Katz, Professional Photographer

3 Wednesdays: October 16, 23, 30 1:30–3:30pm
Arnold Arboretum, Hunnewell Building and Landscape

Capture the drama of fall, when landscapes present a vivid array of colors and the palette is most striking. Professional photographer Nancy Katz will introduce fundamental concepts of landscape photography and then teach techniques for getting the best photographs from your smartphone camera. You will capture images in dynamic color and muted shades, then learn to enhance them using a host of editing tools provided in the Snapseed App. For best results, bring your smartphone and a commitment to completing the weekly homework assignments. Class will take place indoors and out.

Smartphone Photography: Spring Close-Ups

Nancy Katz, Professional Photographer

3 Wednesdays: May 15, 29, June 12, 1:30–3:30pm
Location: Hunnewell Building and Landscape

Capture the magic of the season with your smartphone. Lilacs, azaleas, horse chestnuts, redbuds, and more will be flowering and leaves will have recently unfurled, providing a perfect venue for close-up photographs. Professional photographer Nancy Katz will teach you that you don’t need fancy equipment or lenses to come in close to shoot these exquisite plants. You need your smartphone and an understanding of shooting macro (close up) and how to enhance the images with your phone’s editing capabilities and a great App, aptly named Snapseed. Most of the time will be spent outdoors, except when working on Snapseed in small groups.

Living Portraits: Featuring the Work of Jon Goldman and Robin Radin

Jamaica Plain photographer Robin Radin and Woods Hole artist Jon Goldman are currently exhibiting their work at The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in the 2nd floor Northwest lobby gallery. The BCEC is located at 415 Summer Street in Boston. The exhibit will run from February 9-May 27, 2019. There will be a reception, which is free and open to the public on Wednesday, February 20 from 6-8pm. The exhibition's curator Caitlin Foley writes:"Radin and Goldman employ their work as a means of documenting, celebrating, and asking questions about the communities in which they are embedded...These two distinctly different bodies of work complement one another via their shared exploration and documentation of place and community."

La Victoria: Resilience and Creativity at Urbano Project

La Victoria: Resilience & Creativity, an exhibition of photographs by the SALTO Collective examining issues of belonging and identity in their home city of Santiago, Chile, will be on view at Urbano Project, September 5 – November 8, 2018. An opening celebration will take place on September 5 from 6-8PM, with a talk by Chilean-American writer and human rights activist Marjorie Agosin. Urbano is presenting La Victoria as part of a series exploring the themes of Resilience and Sustainability. The "Población La Victoria" is one of the most emblematic neighborhoods in Santiago, Chile. Viewers can imagine La Victoria as a small town with unique characteristics within the big city.

A Hundred Kids Build Fairy Houses in Franklin Park

It was glorious mild spring Thursday at Schoolmaster Hill in Franklin Park for the Third Annual Fairy House Building Workshop sponsored by the Boston Parks Department and the Franklin Park Coalition. Over a hundred boys and girls scampered over the drumlin collecting branches, leaves and cones to build houses for the magical woodland creatures that reappear in the springtime in New England fields and woods. Storytelling and books from Read Boston and the MassHort plant education tent were also on hand as well as face painting. The workshop showed kids of all ages how to have fun simply using natural items that are just lying around on the park floor under trees and shrubs.

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