Dr. Nigella Hillgarth
March 22nd – April 30th, 2019

Opening Reception Sunday, March 24, 12:00 - 2:00 PM

Returning photographer Dr. Nigella Hillgarth is an environmental advocate concerned with the impacts of climate change and rising seas. Nigella has the good fortune to travel to many remote and beautiful parts of our planet and share it with us the viewer. Through photography, the magic of place and nature is captured wherever she goes. In this exhibit Nigella’s focus is on the beauty of Tahiti and the surrounding area as seen from a tall ship – and parts of Africa- including the wildlife of Tanzania.

During May of 2018 Nigella spent a week on one of the teaching tall ships belonging to the Sea Education Association. The organization SEA empowers students with life-changing sea voyages, and as a supporter of SEA, Dr. Hillgarth had an opportunity to participate in life on a large sailing ship. With her camera she captures the strong sense of our connection to the ocean.

In November 2018, Nigella visited Tanzania. This was her first visit to some of the great wild spaces in Africa- including national parks Serengeti, Tarangiri and Ngorongoro Crater. The Shear vastness was extraordinary- and huge numbers of animals in this wilderness was almost overwhelming. It was heartening to learn that climate change does not appear to have impacted this area as much as she feared. However, the rains which dictate the direction of the migration, are more unpredictable then in the past.

Nigella Hillgarth is a visiting scientist at the University of Washington, and a founding member of Ocean Collectiv – solutions for a healthy ocean. Previously, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the New England Aquarium, she raised the profile of the Aquarium’s global conservation and research work by founding the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life as well as developing a vision for the future of the Aquarium and surrounding Boston waterfront.

Please join us for the opening reception for "Tanzania and Tahiti - Powerful Places to Connect to the Planet” will be held Sunday, March 24th, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Stetson Gallery.

Note: We do hope to have another talk and reception with Dr. Hillgarth and the SEA team the evening of April 18th. Stay tuned! SEA is a global teaching, learning and research community dedicated to the exploration, understanding and stewardship of marine and maritime environments.