Visitors to the Lamar Public Library this summer will be treated to a fascinating look at the insect world courtesy of the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The library, at 104 E. Parmenter St., is hosting an exhibition of photographs as part of the university聮s CU This Summer cultural outreach program.
The exhibition, "Small Wonders: Insect Photos by Fran Hall," opens on June 14
and will run through Aug. 25. Admission is free and library hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Fran Hall聮s lifelong appreciation for the wonders of the insect world are skillfully revealed through his remarkable close-up photographs.
Shot in both black and white and color, Hall聮s stunning images capture the interdependence between species as well as their intriguing and sometimes formidable appearance.
Hall has had a diverse career as a nature photographer. In the 1940s he collaborated with the Audubon Society to produce motion pictures such as "Land of the Four Corners," one of the first films of its type to explore environmental ecosystems.
Narrated by Hall and shown nationwide, these early efforts helped establish the now popular genre of documentary nature films.
In the late 1950s Hall worked for Disney Studios and produced footage of insects for such film classics as "The Living Desert," "Nature聮s Half
Acre" and "Secrets of Life."
CU This Summer, now in its 11th year, has provided programming for an estimated 370,000 people in more than 60 communities throughout Colorado. Programs range from art and museum exhibits to musical and dance performances.
CU President John C. Buechner and CU-Boulder Chancellor Richard L. Byyny view the program as an example of the innovative approach to learning and community outreach envisioned by the university聮s Total Learning Environment initiative.
This will be the eighth year Lamar has hosted cultural activities as part of this popular program, which is jointly sponsored by communities for the enrichment of their residents and summer visitors.
Other places CU This Summer programs will visit are Brighton, Buena Vista, Burlington, Cortez, Delta, Estes Park, Grand Junction, Montrose, Olathe, Ouray and Salida.
Support for this year聮s program has been provided by the CU-Boulder Division of Continuing Education, the President聮s Fund for the Humanities and the Office of Community Relations.
For more information about the Lamar Public Library photography exhibition, call the library Director Susan Ooton at (719) 336-4632.