The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center hosts the photographic work of Danny Izzo and Gary Meyers, featuring Louisiana birds and wildlife, now through July 31. Admission to the exhibit and to the center is free and open to the public.
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is located at 250 West Park Ave.. For more information, call 337-457-8499 or visit nps.gov/jela.
“This exhibit is a wonderful showcase of beautiful birds such as roseate spoonbills, egrets, kingfishers, herons, and even the bald eagle. In addition, dragonflies, alligators, and cottonmouth snakes that are featured. All of this wildlife can be seen at Lake Martin, in and around the Atchafalaya basin, and along Louisiana waterways, but these photographs give you up close details that you may not catch without the use of a camera,” said Park Guide Angelle Bellard.
Izzo was born in Troy, New York, and grew up in Peru, Illinois. He studied music and photography at Western Illinois University and in 1988 moved to Lafayette. In 2007, Izzo earned the degree of Certified Professional Photographer from the Professional Photographers of America. He teaches photography classes at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Potpourri continuing education division; his photographic favorites are Ansel Adams’ landscapes and the portrait work of Kenny Rogers.
Meyers has been an avid fisherman and sportsman since an early age, developing a love for nature and wildlife. His early days of film photography came to a halt when his camera took a dunk in the swamp and repairs were too costly, but when digital photography arrived he used his knowledge of wildlife behavior to capture remarkable moments. Meyers said, “Wildlife and nature photography is challenging but it’s very rewarding at be able to freeze a split second in time and even more rewarding to be able to share it with others.” Meyers’ work can be seen at facebook.com/imagehunter1naturephotography/ and flickr.com/photos/ImageHunter1
The center is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center is closed on all federal holidays but open on Mardi Gras. Admission to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is free and all activities and demonstrations are free and open to the public.