A Closer Look at the Iowa Prairie

"A Closer Look at the Iowa Prairie: Photographs by Justin Hayworth" is on view at Grinnell College through Sunday, Oct. 11, in Burling Gallery on the lower level of Burling Library.

Prairie dominated the Iowa landscape when the first white settlers arrived in 1833. Now, less than 0.1 percent of the original Iowa prairie remains.

Hayworth's macro photographs invite viewers to take a closer look at the beauty of prairie plants, celebrate the intricate aesthetics of prairie life, and teach about the unintended consequences of development. Macro photography is the art of producing photographs of small objects larger than life size.

Hayworth holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Kansas State University and worked as a photojournalist at the Duluth News Tribune and the Des Moines Register before joining Grinnell College as photographer/videographer in 2012.

Gallery Talk

Hayworth and Jon Andelson, director of the College's Center for Prairie Studies, will give a gallery talk at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2. They will discuss the loss of the Iowa prairie, the importance of close observation and the aesthetics of prairie life, celebrated through macro photography. A reception will follow.

Nature Photography Session

On Friday, Sept. 4, Hayworth will lead an exploration of the Grinnell campus for those who want to bring cameras and learn how to photograph nature up close.

The session will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. and start in Burling Gallery. The rain date will be Friday, Sept. 11.

Individuals with all levels of photography experience are welcome. Each person should bring a camera of any sort, including digital single-lens reflex, point and shoot or cell phone. Grinnell College students, faculty and staff may check out cameras from the Audio-Visual Center.

The gallery talk, photography session and exhibition, which are free and open to the public, are sponsored by Grinnell College's Center for Prairie Studies and the Faulconer Gallery.

Hours and Accessibility

Grinnell welcomes and encourages the participation of people with disabilities. Accommodation requests may be made to Conference Operations, 641-269-3235.

Burling Gallery is open 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. daily. For more information about  the exhibition and related programs visit Faulconer Gallery.