Australian photographer Tracey Nearmy has taken a leave of absence from the Australian Associated Press to take up her post as artist in residence at the Caetani Cultural Centre.
The centre hosts a meet-the-artist event Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the members’ reception.
Nearmy is working on a documentary series of life around Swan Lake, Okanagan Lake and Kalamalka Lake.
“I’m focusing on how the people of Vernon interact with the lake ecosystems and incorporate them into their everyday lives in acts of recreation, ritual and survival, particularly focusing on how children now see and learn from this unique landscape,” she said. “As we as humans close the door on our tactile environment choosing more and more to live in the cerebral landscape of screens, I am interested in exploring our decreasing interactions with the natural world, particularly from the view of the child.
“As they grow up with an almost intuitive understanding of computer systems so different from the previous generations, does it change how they learn and interact with the natural environment?”
Nearmy began her career at a community newspaper in Adelaide and has worked for numerous publications throughout Australia. She is currently travelling during a leave of absence from her staff photographer position with AAP, Australia’s national news wire service.
Nearmy is working in the region at various locations and can be found on-site at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. most Tuesdays to Fridays. On Aug. 20, she is guest speaker at the Sunset Speaker Series at the ABNC from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
She will be at the Viva d’Arte Art Market at Caetani Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will lead a photography workshop on environmental portraiture Aug. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Caetani Centre. Cost is $25, free to members. Register online at www.caetaniculturalcentre.org or please call 250-275-1525.
