Wolfe follows in the footsteps UW grads Dale Chihuly, Imogen Cunningham, and Chuck Close
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, USA, MAY 30, 2024 — Art Wolfe is a long-time leader in the conservation photography movement and a prolific, restlessly creative nature and fine art photographer. In 1975 Wolfe graduated from University of Washington (UW) with degrees in Fine Arts and Arts Education.
Seattle born and based, Art Wolfe grew up in a family of commercial artists who encouraged his creativity and a connection to nature. For nearly fifty years he has stunned and thrilled readers with the dazzling beauty of the planet’s wildlife, landscapes, and diverse cultures. His goal is to win support for conservation issues by “focusing on what is beautiful on the Earth.”
Wolfe has published over 100 books in eight languages. Though Wolfe, 72, has often been described as a wildlife photographer—his most recent book being the astonishing Wild Lives—he tackles themes that take him beyond the subject of nature. In his book Human Canvas, he placed painted human figures against elaborate painted backdrops to transform bodies into abstract landscapes and he is working on a book of world faiths. He has hosted several television series, including the award-winning Art’s Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge which was syndicated worldwide, has had traveling exhibitions, and regularly donates his photos to environmental organizations.
The Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a UW graduate and is presented annually by the UW and UW Alumni Association. It recognizes a legacy of achievement and service built over a lifetime.
The UW Awards of Excellence ceremony honoring Art Wolfe and other outstanding alumni, faculty, staff, students, and retirees will be held on campus at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts at 3:30 pm on Thursday, June 6th, 2024.
“It is in the wild places, where the edge of the earth meets the corners of the sky, the human spirit is fed.”
Earlier this month in Germany, EDEN, the German edition of Earth Is My Witness, won two awards at ITB Berlin. ITB Berlin is the world’s largest international tourism trade fair.
EDEN, published by National Geographic, won the Special Award Presented by the Management of ITB Berlin and the Illustrated Travel Book Award.
The selection jury described their choice as follows:
“Art Wolfe succeeds in capturing nature’s diversity in magical and atmospheric moments.“ The author sums up his photography best: ”Most people will probably never travel to Bhutan or Pakistan. By enabling them to look at my pictures I would like them to feel as though they have been there nonetheless. I want them to feel what I felt in these places. In order to do that I need to capture as much as possible of the landscape, nature and culture of the people I encounter on my travels.“
The Housberg award recognizes projects that advance the protection of Alaska’s wilderness environment which further discussion of issues relating to habitat and stewardship of Alaska’s natural resources, and enhance public education relating to these areas.
Alaska Conservation Foundation is the single largest grant maker to Alaska conservation efforts. For over 35 years, no other foundation has been dedicated to serving and supporting the frontlines of Alaska’s conservation movement.
Opening today on the 2nd Floor the National Museum of Natural History Presents the Annual Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition.
Within a 4,000 square foot exhibition hall, 60 large-format prints are displayed—some at nearly life-sized proportions—with two accompanying HD videos. Museum visitors are taken along on a virtual global safari and are introduced to the image-makers and their stories from behind the camera lens.
Art is featured as the Photographer of the Year in recognition of his extraordinary body of
work over the past 40 years and the contributions he has made to natural history awareness. “Photographers everywhere are making a difference in the way we see the world and our place in it,” says Wolfe. “Never stop looking: no matter where you are,
there are good photographs to be made.”
Art will be doing a book signing of Earth Is My Witness on November 13, as well as attending the awards presentations that night.
The German edition of Edge of the Earth, Corner of the Sky has been named “The most beautiful Science-Book 2012” in the German magazine “Bild der Wissenschaft”.
At the Summit, NANPA will honor Art Wolfe with the Lifetime Achievement Award. We are delighted to announce that Art Wolfe will lead the celebration of NANPA’s 20th Anniversary program on Saturday night, March 2, 2013. Join us to share a celebration of Art’s impact on nature photography and NANPA.
Continuing the celebration, 2012 Environmental Impact Award – James Balog will be joining us to host a special private screening of his feature-length documentary, “Chasing Ice,” which chronicled the disappearance of glaciers in Iceland using film and 25 DSLR cameras over three years. The film won the award for Excellence in Cinematography for Documentary Films at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. James will be honored at the general session on Saturday morning. >>FULL SCHEDULE
On May 4th, 2012, the University of Washington officially honors a 150 distinguished alumni with their first-ever Timeless Awards and Art Wolfe has been selected. The Timeless Award is given to alumni based on their outstanding service and achievement since graduation.