John Weller at Open Studios, Oct 5-6 and Oct 12-13
Photographer John Weller will be honoring the official release of his book, The Last Ocean, by participating in Boulder's Open Studios. Weller will be opening his studio for free from noon to 6pm on October 5-6 and October 12-13. You can also pick up a copy of his new amazing book!
On the Open Studios website, Weller explains the passion he holds for the Ross Sea and why it is the subject of this latest book.
"Since my last appearance in Open Studios in 2005, I have been on an 8-year journey to help protect one of the last great places on Earth. I followed a path through the Colorado Desert to the waters of the Antarctic, and have been working on Ross Sea conservation since 2005. The Ross Sea, Antarctica is the most pristine marine ecosystem left on Earth. It is The Last Ocean.
After four trips to the Ross Sea, including three months of diving under the ice as a guest of the United States Antarctic Program, I compiled a library of Ross Sea photographs that has been published in dozens of magazines; used by conservation organizations to publicize the Ross Sea all over the world; and showcased at the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the 2009, 2011, and 2013 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings.
But my journey took me not just to the Antarctic; it took me all over the world. I worked closely with scientists, policy-makers, and conservation organizations from more than a dozen nations, and helped solidify the coalition of NGO's fighting for Ross Sea protection. I co-founded The Last Ocean Project with Antarctic ecologist David Ainley and New Zealand filmmaker Peter Young, and joined forces with the Pew Charitable Trusts when I was named a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation in 2009.
Through all of this work, I have been continuously reminded of the community that supported me to start this journey - the incredible people of Boulder. This year's Open Studios will be a homecoming for me, and the work I will share is as much a tribute to you, the people of Boulder, as it is to the Ross Sea.
Thus, it will be my honor to officially release my book, The Last Ocean, published by Rizzoli, at Open Studios. Please join me to celebrate the Ross Sea, and nearly a decade of work!"