Four Seasons at the Bartlett

The Photography Club of Lower Fairfield County spent twelve months photographing the changing seasons at the , resulting in an exhibit that will be on display in the Silver Educational Center through January 31 — just the second exhibit to take place in the new space.

Lory Tager, a member of the Photography Club of Lower Fairfield County, first approached the Bartlett Arboretum with an idea for a year-long photo shoot. Members of the Photography Club of Lower Fairfield County were looking for field trips close to home that would engage a larger percentage of their club members. They found it when the Bartlett agreed.

“We’re thrilled,” Peter Saverine, Executive Director of Operations at the Bartlett Arboretum, said. “They captured moments for us that we probably missed, when you go back outside, you notice new things.”

15 photographers came out through the year to photograph on the grounds of the Bartlett Arboretum — capturing the changing seasons from all angles and each though the unique lens of the artist.

“Nature is like no art museum in the world,” Tager, said. “I’m from California — I’m still in awe of leaves falling on the ground and snow. It’s magical.”

Photographers captured autumn leaves, winter snowfalls, and the glory of spring at the Bartlett Arboretum. In the colder months, many also explored the greenhouses to photograph what was growing inside.

“Everyone gravitates towards the pond,” Tager said. “It’s beautiful in the crisp air with the thin veneer of ice and in the early morning, the colors dramatically change.”

Some of the photographers also captured people-driven moments at the Bartlett — the summer concerts and plein air artists at work.

“Part of the beauty of our property is when it’s filled with people,” Saverine said. “They make the place come alive.”

The Bartlett has already produced a calendar featuring some of their favorite photographs and they plan to continue to use the photographers’ work as they develop new items in their gift shop. All photographs are also for immediate sale (new photographs will replace those that are sold during the show) and remarkably affordable — the images, many already matted and framed — range from $50—275. Sweetening the pot even more, the photographers all are donating at least 30% of their sales back to the Bartlett.

“It’s a subtly beautiful place,” Tager said. “I hope people can come away and think, there’s more beauty than I ever expected.”

The photography show is open to the public from 10 am until 4 pm through January 31, 2012.