Meet Congaree National Park’s First-Ever Artists-in-Residence at Presentation on February 20

Date: January 24, 2014
Contact: Lauren Gurniewicz, 803-647-3969

James and Jenny Tarpley, owners of Visio Photography in Marion, North Carolina, are returning to Columbia for a public presentation to share their experience as Congaree National Park's first-ever Artists-in-Residence at 6:30 pm on February 20. They will share their impressions of the park, photographs taken during their residency and present Congaree National Park with two museum-quality photographs. The presentation will be held at Columbia College in the Breed Leadership Center, Room 103. The room is located on the ground floor of the facility. Directions to Columbia College can be found at http://www.columbiasc.edu/about/visit/directions.

Formally trained in fine art, James and Jenny started their photography business 9 years ago, specializing in portraits, weddings, and fine art prints. The Tarpley's spent several weeks documenting Congaree with their creative filter and led a photography program called "Capturing Congaree" along with Park Ranger Lindsay Compton. Samples of James and Jenny's work can be found on their website http://www.visiophotography.com/.

"The Artist-in-Residence program allows us to explore Congaree through the diverse expression and creativity of our visiting artists. I invite the public to join park staff at the Tarpley's presentation, as these personal interactions with the artists and exposure to their individual expressions of Congaree will undoubtedly inspire a deeper appreciation of all the park has to offer", said Superintendent Tracy Stakely.

Many artists spend time at national parks around the country gleaning inspiration, documenting their experiences, and sharing the arts with park visitors. Writers, sculptors, musicians, composers, painters, photographers and other arts draw on the parks for inspiration through the Artists-in-Residence program. The artists participate in public programs and donate works of art to their host park at the end of their residency. South Carolina contemporary painter and Columbia College Professor Mary Gilkerson is Congaree's current Artist-in-Residence. For more information about the nationwide Artist-in-Residence Program visit https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/artist-in-residence.htm.