Tryon Palace’s Post

"Bees, Butterflies and Blooms" Photography Exhibition opens at the North Carolina History Center (NEW BERN, NC) April 26, 2024 - The wondrous photography of photographer and beekeeper, Deana B Marion, has returned to the Cannon Gallery at the North Carolina History Center, with her “Bees, Butterflies, and Blooms” exhibit. Deana B’s macro images of bees, butterflies, and blooms show the intricate details of her subjects from the fuzzy hairs on a bee’s head to the intricate patterns and shapes of a butterfly’s wings. Her work celebrates the art of nature, and the beauty and wonder of these insects and their relationship with the blooming flowers and trees, that is so important to our ecosystem. For millions of years, pollinators and plants have evolved together, side by side, each gaining a benefit from pollination.   Deana B wants the viewer to understand just how important their relationship is. “The plight of pollinators, their value to our food supply, and the causes for their declining population are receiving national attention, with pollination by honeybees responsible for one-third of our food and nearly $20 billion in value to agricultural crops each year in the United States.” She has witnessed the alarming population decline firsthand.   The photographer studied macro photography under Barbara Brundege through the University of California Extension, Santa Cruz, California. Under Brundege’s mentorship, Deana B was encouraged to “get closer, get closer,” and gained tremendous insight on how to capture the intricate features of bees and flowers. Her works today reflect her skills in photographing bees on blooms through lens that are just inches away from the subject.   “Bees, Butterflies, and Blooms” is free to view and will be on display until August 25, 2024. The North Carolina History Center is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12 Noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information, www.tryonpalace.org, or call 252-639-3500.