Born To Be Wild is the title for the Backroom Show featuring Hope’s talented couple, Jenny and Clancy Wolpert. The artist’s reception is Saturday, Sept. 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Hope Arts Gallery, 349 Fort St.
Born To Be Wild runs from Sept. 1 to Sept. 29.
Jenny and Clancy use photography to document their love of nature where they find solace and inspiration. Clancy is fascinated with bears, while Jenny diversifies from photography with painted wildlife portrayals.
Fifteen years ago, to entice Clancy out of reading in the truck on a long trip while she and a friend photographed anything that moved — and a great deal that didn’t — Jenny bought him a Canon Sure Shot camera. He took 900 photos that trip and has never looked back.
Both artists credit photography instructor Ken Pugh for improving their photography. Clancy, who is largely self-taught, has learned to look for design in nature such as ripples and reflections in water. He dwells on areas of illumination.
Jenny is moved by animal behavior, the estimated million colours that a human eye can perceive, and a desire to record her experiences. She acknowledges fellow artists, reading, art galleries and online sources for widening her artistic practice. Her strength is her curiosity; she is forever perfecting new mediums and exploring new ideas. Diversity may be her best descriptive.
Other than a number of years sharing their nature photography in Harrison Hot Springs, this is their first combined presentation in 33 years of marriage. They hope their work encourages recognition of the value in our wilderness.
The gallery is operated by the Hope & District Arts Council and run by volunteers. For more information, email hopedistictartscouncil@gmail.com or call 604-869-3400.