WORKING CONCEPT: Using conservation photography, and focusing on Tampa Bay, artist will work with the Florida Aquarium and other environmental groups in messaging environmental concepts for the Portal prototype, which will be installed at the Tampa Convention Center.
The Portal prototype will consist of three (3) LED screens, each 4’ x 8’ and will feature three, ten minute loops of art, one of which features the work of Carlton Ward, Jr. The Portals are artistic and educational in function and intent, providing user groups with a variety of content that focuses on Arts and Culture, Environment, and Well Being. This strong educational component includes a coalition of specialists from each of the core content areas and is part of the Riverwalk Cultural Plan.
BRIEF BIO: Carlton Ward Jr. is an environmental photojournalist from Clearwater, Florida, with graduate training in ecology and anthropology. Through his photographs, he aims to promote conservation of natural environments and cultural legacies. Carlton 's passion for nature was born from the Florida landscape, where eight generations of family history have grounded his perspective. He sees cultural heritage and the natural environment as two of society's greatest yet most threatened resources. He regularly produces stories for newspapers and magazines including recent features in Smithsonian, National Wildlife, Africa Geographic, and Outdoor Photographer. In 2004, Carlton founded the Legacy Institute for Nature & Culture (LINC), a non-profit organization for conservation communications. LINC's mission is to raise awareness for natural environments and cultural legacies, educate about important connections between human societies and natural ecosystems, and promote conservation of natural heritage.
