"Under the Sea" Photography Exhibit at Biscayne National Park

A Graysby (a type of grouper) opens wide for the camera.

Evan D'Alessandro

News Release Date: March 6, 2012

Contact: Gary Bremen, 305-230-1144, x007

The University of Miami/Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (UM/RSMAS), in collaboration with Biscayne National Park, will present an exhibition entitled Under the Sea at Biscayne National Park's Dante Fascell Visitor Center Gallery from March 9th to June 3, 2012. A "Nearly Full Moon" opening reception will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, March 9, at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center located at 9700 SW 328 Street, 9 miles east of Homestead, Florida.

The display will include 24 color photographs of wildlife that lives in Biscayne National Park's waters. The photos were selected from among the winners of the annual underwater photography contest sponsored by UM/RSMAS over the past 7 years. Many of the images were taken by UM/RSMAS students and faculty, often as part of or incidental to their research. In that spirit, one of the photographers, Dr. Evan D'Alessandro, will speak at 7:30 pm during the opening reception on the "Intersection of Science and Art." One of D'Alessandro's photos was selected as the signature piece for the show, and features a graysby (a type of grouper) with its mouth wide open and facing the camera. The image can be previewed at https://www.nps.gov/bisc/planyourvisit/the-dante-fascell-visitor-center-gallery.htm.

Under the Sea is part of a continuing effort by the park to blur the line between science and art. "The 1871 scientific expedition to Yellowstone included in its ranks painter Thomas Moran and photographer William Henry Jackson," said park ranger Gary Bremen. "Their work helped inspire Congress to establish Yellowstone as the world's first national park. Painters, photographers and other artists carry on that tradition today at national parks across the country, including here at Biscayne."

Under the Sea is part of the park's Community Artists Program, started in 1997 as an outlet for the works of both established and emerging artists who are inspired by the beauty of Biscayne National Park. The program is made possible by the South Florida National Parks Trust through the generosity of Sedano's Supermarkets and the Miami-Dade County Division of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. Additional support for this show comes from the University of Miami/Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science's Office of Advancement, and by the winning photographers.

For more details about the exhibit, visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/bisc or contact park ranger Gary Bremen at 305-230-1144, x007. For more about the UM/RSMAS Underwater Photography Contest, including how to enter the 2012 competition, visit http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/outreach/underwater-photography/contest-rules/. For regular updates from the park, "like" us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BiscayneNPS , or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BiscayneNPS.