Big Cypress Swamp event at the von Liebig Art Center in Naples, Florida

On Thursday evening Jan 14th, the von Leibig Art Museum in Naples featured the Big Cypress Swamp event. They are hosting a series of events featuring Clyde Butcher's images and the theme of the Big Cypress Swamp: the Western Everglades. To kick off the events, Clyde and I did a presentation about how we met, the series of projects we created over the last 2 decades and the making of the Big Cypress Swamp project.

Clyde Butcher, Jack OBrien and Elam Stoltzfus

Don Frinefrock with the South Florida National Parks Trust giving the opening statements.  

Clyde and Elam sharing their stories about Big Cypress Swamp.

The Leroy Henehayo Osceola Family at the event.  It was a pleasure to have the family attend a local event in support of the arts, film and the Big Cypress Swamp.

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Earlier in the day I had stopped by the Big Cypress Gallery to chat with Clyde Butcher and while at the Gallery, Senator George LeMieux stopped by to visit with Clyde.  It was honor to meet the Senator representing Florida.

Clyde Butcher, Senator George LeMieux, Elam Stoltzfus and Rick Cruz.

Film Screening, Big Cypress Swamp: The Western Everglades

January 14 - Jan 14, 2010  -  from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

The von Liebig Art Center • 585 Park Street • Naples, FL 34102 • 239.262.6517

Big Cypress Swamp: Western Everglades is a 56-minute documentary that shares the history of the Western Everglades preservation and showcases Big Cypress as an ever evolving, complex ecosystem. The film showcases the stunning beauty of sawgrass and sunsets in the swamp, it highlights the wide variety of plants and wildlife, and includes stories of tireless efforts to preserve and manage the Big Cypress Swamp region. Viewers will be treated to rare and primeval sights and sounds of swamp expeditions through cypress strands by foot, air boat, swamp buggy and helicopter. In the background is the “music” of Big Cypress: an ever present orchestra of croaking frogs, wading birds, flowing water, and approaching thunderstorms.

Producer Elam Stoltzfus is a nationally acclaimed and award winning filmmaker. He is a master cinematographer whose projects capture the essence and glory of nature. In Big Cypress Swamp: Western Everglades Elam invited fine art photographer Clyde Butcher to host the project and capture Big Cypress Swamp through his large format camera lens. Butcher is a nationally renowned nature photographer who specializes in black and white images. The final touch in this stunning documentary is the narration by the golden voice of Peter Thomas who resides in Naples.

This film screening is open to the public for $50 per person, which includes a full-length version of the documentary on DVD. Clyde Butcher and Elam Stoltzfus will be available to autograph DVD’s and other related merchandise, available in the art center's gift shop, during the event. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a 30-minute wine and cheese reception. The film and lecture will begin at 6 p.m. and feature a 20-minute version of the film plus a presentation and Q&A session by Butcher and Stoltzfus. A share of the proceeds from the film screening, as well as a percentage of DVD and gift shop related sales, will benefit the South Florida National Parks Trust’s campaign to purchase permanent exhibits for the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center being built on U.S. 41 near State Road 29.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to visit the new Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center each year to learn about the Big Cypress, its wetlands and wildlife. The Big Cypress National Preserve is building the $2.2 million center on U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) in Collier County. Construction began in late 2008 and is now nearly complete, but the project itself won’t be finished until the center’s exhibits are installed. The South Florida National Parks Trust-- 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that supports South Florida’s four national parks--is seeking to raise $250,000 in matching funds to purchase 19 permanent exhibits that will explain the Big Cypress, its history, hydrology and habitats to visitors. All gifts will be matched dollar for dollar by the Big Cypress National Preserve. This event is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, City Mattress, Gulfshore Life and Comcast.

Fakahatchee Discovery Series

Book online at www.friendsoffakahatchee.org or phone (239) 695-2905

Fakahatchee Discovery Series

Sponsored by the Friends of Fakahatchee Strand

THE SAFARI

Join us to explore nature and enjoy the wonders of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, home of the Ghost Orchid.

Saturday, February 27 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Copeland, Florida

Scenic Tram Rides

Naturalist-Guided Swamp Walks

Nature Walks at an Easy Level

Wildlife Exhibits

Demonstrations of Prescribed Burn

Florida Photo Gallery

Professional Photography Hands-On Class

Swamp Buggy Ride

Sunset Bonfire

 “Cracker Dinner”

spit-roasted whole hog unusual Olde Florida delicacies Complimentary Wine

Cost $125 per person. Annual membership in the Friends is included.

Places are limited!

Book online at www.friendsoffakahatchee.org or phone (239) 695-2905.

News Fur Feinschmecker about Paradise Coast, Florida

A featured article included in the News Fur Feinschmecker about Paradise Coast, Florida.  Der Dokumentationsfilm über die Western Everglades von Elam Stoltzfus bringt die prachtvolle Schönheit des Landstrichs ganz nah. Gezeigt wird der intensive Film im Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center, das 2010 bei Everglades City eröffnet wird  www.bigcypressswamp.org/bcs ).

Film wins Naples International Film Festival audience award

Good news -  the BIG CYPRESS SWAMP:  THE WESTERN EVERGLADES won the audience award at Naples International Film Festival!  It's a beautiful film that resonated with our audiences.  - -  Ellen Goldberg, NIFF Senior Program Director

www.naplesfilmfest.com

The documentary film was featured at the NIFF on November 7th & 8th to a full house.  Then was picked up by the featured line up for the Best in the Fest of NIFF at Sidney - Bernie Davis Art Center in downtown Ft. Myers on November 13th & 14th.

www.sbdac.com

Thank you to everyone who supported BCSWE and came out for the many great films at NIFF.

www.bigcypressswamp.org

Naples International Film Festival - 2009

Elam and Nic (son) traveled to Naples to attend the Naples Backyard History event to kick off the 2009 Naples International Film Festival.

The event on 3rd street was for a collection of artists, film makers, musicians, photographers, actors and supporters of the arts.   The event was put together by Dr. Lois Bolin and Lavern Norris Gaynor.   It was great atmosphere to meet new artists, network to share new ideas, and to renew old acquaintances.  

In attendance for the evening was Fred Koenekamp, Cinematographer for Patton, The Towering Inferno, Papillon, the UNCLE series and many other films we all have enjoyed.  It was real honor to meet Mr. Koenekamp and chat with him for a few minutes.  His comment about his career and camera operators, is learn your craft, be well prepared and develop your skills by repetition.   Fred was a two time Academy Award winner and a Lifetime Achievement Award.  Also stopping by to visit was Stephen Bogart, Humprey Bogart's son.

 The NIFF was a master mind effort by Eric Raddatz, Rowan Samuel and Dan Linehan.  Together with a vision for a international festival they put together a great lineup of films from around the world, stellars support of local sponsors, committed board of directors, a ton of volunteers to handle all those little details.  Little items such as a gift bag after arriving at the hotel room, an assigned ambassador, maps, passes, etc.

Kudos to the future of the NIFF events.   One of the best festivals I have ever been a part of.   Thank you Eric for the invitation and all the support the Big Cypress Swamp documentary received from the Naples community.  I was overwhelmed by the hospitality and professionalism displayed for a first annual festival.

Listening to Rep. Mark Hudson talk about his tour over Big Cypress Swamp from an aerial view.  It was pleasure to have Mr. Hudson stop by to show his support to the arts and films.






Chatting with Mr. John Sorey III Council Member talking about Naples along with Don Frinefrock, Executive Director of South Florida International Trust.

Great opportunity to meet Nicholas Petrucci, a local artist with a special interest in the old Naples history.  Nicholas is telling me about the research events with Peter Matthiessen for the Killing Mr. Watson stories.

Thanking Mrs. Lavern Norris Gaynor for supporting and putting on the wonderful event at the Naples Backyard History honoring the local artists and the NIFF.

Before the screening on Saturday evening Nic and I had the wonderful privilege to have supper with Philip and Maureen Hartung.   Maureen had written several articles about the Living Waters and Apalachicola River projects years ago.  It was a great pleasure to meet friends and catch up on all the happenings of life.



Posing with Eric Raddatz with his son Ethan at the Norris Center.
  Fine young man who already has a passion and understanding about film making.

Ambassador Tina and Hostess Carol at the Norris Center before the screening of the film.

A great crowd to screen the film.  Followed by a Q&A.   It was great to see the support and interest about the Big Cypress Swamp.  Questions included:  Is the jetport still there?  How do I do a swamp walk?  Comments: Thanks for making this story and film.  What your going to do next?

Apalachicola River presentation at the 2009 CDC Health Conference

On October 26 and 27th Elam Stoltzfus traveled to Atlanta (up river) to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) 2009 National Environmental Health Conference.   The CDC invited Elam to bring a collection of images and a film to introduce the researchers and scientists to an opportunity to think about using art and images to convey their material with new media.  The purpose was to view the media as a story-telling opportunity to reach their clients or audience.

On Monday in the Grandball room of the Sheraton featured a collection of Clyde Butcher's black and white photos representing the Apalachicola River.   Elam had a series of images of the Apalachicola and Chipola River.  This was an important reminder to everyone about water and health issues and how we are all connected by water.   It worked out well as people walked by the art work to do a meet and greet.  Many people has questions about art, the rivers, the area and support of the programs.

One of the interesting connections was with Jonathan Yoder, Esther's (wife of Elam) nephew that is employed by the CDC in Atlanta.  Jon's connection to the Apalachicola River and Chipola River was his playground as a young boy growing up in the panhandle of Florida.  Its here that he learned to appreciate the great outdoors, water ski, fish and camp along the waterways.   Jon also had traveled with Elam to the deep swamp around Florida as a young teenager.

Later on Tuesday evening the two films of Big River and the Apalachicola River: American Treasure were the featured event for the evening session followed by a Q&A.  In attendance representing the Big River documentary were the film makers that included Aaron Woolf, Ian Cheney, and Curt Ellis, they had produced the well-known King Corn documentary film several years ago.  Big River is a follow up about what happened with the water that is drained off their one acre of corn in Iowa.  Great documentary, must see. Check out www.kingcorn.net. Its about the food process in America.   After the presentation of the two films, the film makers had a panel discussion about the films.  Questions included issues about water, food, film techniques and good questions.  The panel host was Donna Garland.  Hopefully everyone left with a new appreciation about our land and water.   How we are all connected with the waterways around the world.   New ideas on how to use art and images to educate people.