Beyond Katrina

Matthew D. White - Award of Excellence
The Power of Place - The 8th Annual Grand Isle Juried Exhibition
April 10 - Apr 18, 2010

Grand Isle, La (8/09)

Cheniere Caminada, LA 8/09 - Award of Excellence

Matthew White, is the recipient of an Award of Excellence for works showcased in the 8th Annual Grand Isle Juried Exhibition, The "Power of Place", which opened April 10 and closes April 18, 2010 with a reception and awards presentation from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at  the Grand Isle Community Center.  This was White’s fifth consecutive year to participate in the annual show, which showcases works this year with themes relating to the physical, political and emotional landscape associated with of the only inhabited Louisiana barrier island and its surrounding wetlands. The goal of the exhibition was to showcase excellent visual art from the region and raise awareness of Louisiana’s fragile but rich coastal environment and continuing loss. The two works that were selected for the show were "Grand Isle, LA" and "Cheniere Caminada, LA". In addition to the original photographs featured in the show, White  also released these and a third image, "Stormy Summer Day, Grand Isle, LA" as limited edition fine art posters. These may be viewed and purchased online through his website at www.matthewwhitestudio.com. 

Download Press Release

Download GI catalog 2010 Winners Insert Page

Obama Administration Plan to Restore Coastal Louisiana Wetlands Praised by Conservation Groups

Photocredit: Matthew D. White    "Deterorating Marsh"   

Groups pledge to work with federal and state partners to develop long-term vision

WASHINGTON, March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Six local and national environmental groups praised the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for unveiling the Obama administration's 18-month plan this afternoon to expedite construction of near-term projects, while creating a long-term vision and governance structure for restoring coastal wetlands in Louisiana.  CEQ and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are leading an interagency working group created by President Obama last August to step up the federal response to catastrophic wetland loss in the Gulf Coast region that worsened the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.  

"The working group's proposals will put this program into gear with strong new leadership, better science and improved coordination among federal and state partners to restore the Mississippi River Delta, as well as to create safe and resilient communities," said a joint statement from the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Environmental Defense Fund, Gulf Restoration Network, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, National Audubon Society and National Wildlife Federation.  "Last month, President Obama requested more than $40 million in his budget for multiple agencies to restore wetlands in Louisiana.  This workplan will ensure that this funding and all future funding are utilized as effectively and efficiently as possible."

The Obama administration and Louisiana officials agree that restoring Louisiana's coastal wetlands is a critical element of an effective strategy for ecosystem restoration, storm protection, and economic growth in coastal Louisiana.  Since the 1930s, Louisiana has lost 2,300 square miles of wetlands -- an area larger than the state of Delaware -- because of erosion and sinking land, much of it caused by mismanagement of the Mississippi River and its delta.  These coastal wetlands serve as a buffer against storms and hurricanes, providing protection for two million coastal residents, and the pipelines and refineries that service one-third of our nation's oil and gas production.  They also provide critical habitat for wildlife and play an important role in the region's economy, including the most valuable fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.

"The interagency work plan released today by CEQ is a remarkable step forward for coastal Louisiana," added the groups.  "The plan correctly identifies some of the most challenging issues plaguing restoration efforts.  More importantly, it outlines a strong and coordinated federal response consistent with President Obama's budget recommendations for the region."

"This working group is addressing exactly the right questions: 1) how do we make sure existing wetland restoration projects are built as soon as possible; and 2) how do we plan for an effective, coordinated and comprehensive restoration program moving forward," concluded the groups.  "By including the multiple lines of defense strategy, the CEQ working group has connected-the-dots between coastal restoration and flood protection, which is precisely what is needed.  We will continue working closely with the working group to achieve the objectives outlined today."

SOURCE Environmental Defense Fund

http://www.edf.org

THE END OF THE GREAT RIVER

 

Photographs of the Lower Mississippi River Delta

Port of New Orleans
1350 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70160
504-522-2551
Mon – Fri 8-5

Dec. 1, 2009 – Dec. 18, 2009

Reception - Dec. 10, 2009, 4:00 to 6:00 pm

This photo-essay and exhibit features fine art landscape images of the Mississippi River Delta, from Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana south to the end of the three passes that drain the river into the Gulf of Mexico -- Pass a Loutre; South Pass; and Southwest Pass. This delta, full of history, culture, and industry, is sparsely populated and rarely seen in detail by outsiders, but is a landscape of vast, simplistic beauty.  Photography for this project began in the spring of 2000, made on both black and white film and digital color, continuing to the present day.

 The exhibit opens in conjunction with PhotoNOLA, an annual celebration of photography in New Orleans, Louisiana coordinated by the New Orleans Photo Alliance in partnership with galleries, museums and photographers citywide. The exhibit includes 12 images from Matthew White's Mississippi River Delta collection and will be displayed in the lobby of the Port of New Orleans Administrative Building. A reception will be held December 10, 2009 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The exhibit closes December 18th and will travel afterward.

To see previews of photographs from the exhibit, please follow this link.

For more information, to inquire about sponsorship, or to book this exhibit, please contact Margaret Saizan, at msaizan@bigvisionmedia.com or 225-229-7399. Further updates will be posted at this site and at  Matthew White's exhibit page at the PhotoNOLA website as additional information  becomes available.