ENDANGERED: Art4Apes is delighted to announce that Katie Murray is our August 2020 Virtual Artist in Residence
Congratulations to Katie Murray for becoming our August 2020 Virtual Artist in Residence. The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020 and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.
Artist Statement
Katie’s love of nature and wildlife is deep-rooted in trips to the local aquarium and tree-climbing as a kid. She went on to earn her B.S. in Animal Science at the University of Vermont, and after working in the marine science education field, she decided to move to Florida. Shortly after this move, she graduated with her Master’s degree in Global Sustainability with a focus on Sustainable Tourism, which led her to new opportunities working in Marketing and Communications for environmental nonprofits. This path has allowed for her to practice two of her favorite things: wildlife photography and effective communication strategies for Sustainability. An avid SCUBA diver, Katie is also Past-President of the Florida Marine Science Educators Association (FMSEA). Katie’s true passion lies in helping people fall in love with and appreciate nature, particularly wildlife.
I can’t pin-point exactly why I chose this path—highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation—I don’t even know that it was a conscious choice. Going to school for animal science and global sustainability helped all of the pieces fall in place for me, and shaped me into the environmental advocate I am today. Biodiversity loss is one of the greatest threats the world faces, and if I can inspire someone to care about an endangered animal through a photograph, I consider that a success. If my photograph can inspire further conversation about sustainability and conservation efforts around that animal, I consider that an even bigger success. I have been very fortunate to be able to travel to incredible places like Costa Rica, Australia, The Galapagos, and Zambia, where the wildlife practically begs to be photographed. And much of that wildlife is threatened or endangered. I have the privilege to take people with me to these incredible places, to view these beautiful animals, and that’s an amazing feeling.
Katie Murray
See more of Katie’s images and videos by clicking on one of the links below:
Instagram: @kmurrs_
Twitter: @kmurrs_
YouTube: www.youtube.com/katiemurray
Website: https://greeneyedgirl.org
ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020 Submissions
Zambian Sunset on Danny © 2020 Katie Murray | All Rights Reserved
Danny at the Elephant Café in Livingstone Zambia before going into his barn for the night. An example of sustainable eco-tourism and positive wildlife encounters, the Elephant Café houses orphaned elephants who can choose to participate in interactions with humans, with the ability to walk away at any time.
Reflecting on the Past © 2020 Katie Murray | All Rights Reserved
As if reflecting on its past, an old Galapagos tortoise rests in his pool at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz on the Galapagos Islands. The Research Station works to reintroduce different sub-species of Galapagos tortoise to their native islands.
Basking in Glory © 2020 Katie Murray | All Rights Reserved
A large Galapagos sea lion soaks up the last few minutes of sunlight of the day, accompanied by Sally Lightfoot crabs.
See more of Katie’s work below:
All images © 2020 Katie Murray | All Rights Reserved
The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020 and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.
Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com