Iola photographer Jonathan Adams thinks Kansas is gorgeous.
He hopes others agree, and is organizing a photography exhibit this weekend to showcase the state’s “unexpected and underappreciated beauty.”
“It’s kind of magical when you fall in love with where you live,” he said.
“You realize you don’t need to go anywhere else to find things to inspire you.”
Adams is teaming up with the Bowlus Fine Arts Center to offer a weekend of beauty, art and inspiration.
It starts with a grand opening for Adams’ photography exhibit, followed by opportunities to interact with photographers from across the state.
Then, on Saturday afternoon, is the Bowlus’ season-opening performance of Artrageous, an art-centric theater troupe.
Jonathan Adams and Friends Kansas Photography Exhibit
Adams has long wanted to offer a photo gallery featuring Kansas and Kansas artists. In fact, he dreams of someday opening a gallery of his own, perhaps in one of Iola’s downtown buildings.
He’ll take a test run, of sorts, starting this weekend with a gallery exhibit at the Bowlus.
It will feature photos taken by Adams and other Kansas photographers, including his mentor, Jeff McPheeters as well as Diane Frazier, Scott Bean, Jessi Jacobs and Michelle Terry.
The opening of the exhibit kicks off with a reception at 7 p.m. Friday at the Bowlus. It features a reading at 7:30 p.m. by Kansas poet Michelle Terry from her new book, “Windswept.”
At 9:30, the group will travel to the Bourbon County State Lake at Elsmore, where McPheeters will teach “astro photography” and the group can take photos of the Milky Way.
The next morning, the photographers will gather at the Bowlus starting with breakfast at 8 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join them, and the crew will discuss the gallery exhibits as well as photography tips. You don’t have to be a photographer, though you are welcome to bring a camera and take photos to share with the group later. There is no charge.
At 11 a.m., Adams will lead the group on a walking tour of downtown Iola, then break for lunch. They’ll reconvene after lunch in a location to be announced. At 2, participants can either attend the Artrageous show at the Bowlus or join Adams for a hike on the Lehigh Portland Trails to discuss nature photography and take pictures.
Later that evening, the group will travel to Ottawa for dinner and a car show.
