Oak Ridge Library art exhibit in July features Ray Smith photos

 

Submitted

The art exhibit at Oak Ridge Public Library for the month of July is a collection of 40 photographs by D. Ray Smith. Titled “Some of My Favorites,” this exhibit is a wonderful selection of images from Ray Smith’s archive of nature photographs. His images depict wildflowers, trees, rivers, and streams from various East Tennessee locations including the University of Tennessee Arboretum and Frozen Head State Park.

Smith is well-known to most Oak Ridgers. He is the historian at the Y-12 National Security Complex and a journalist for The Oak Ridger newspaper, and he serves on a number of boards of directors for local nonprofit organizations. A resident of Oak Ridge for 44 years, he and his wife Fanny have two sons and five grandchildren. He is often found at community events taking photographs that he generously shares with the public.

Smith has co-produced several award-winning documentary films, publishes two weekly Oak Ridge history columns, “Historically Speaking” and “Y-12: local treasure and national resource,” and he has published 11 books on the history of Oak Ridge.

Apart from his history projects and community service, Smith has always had a love of nature and nature photography. He began his photography career while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam, where he purchased his first quality camera, a Canon FTb. He has also published six photo books of local scenic photographs, which can be found in the Library’s collection.

Smith has partnered with Harvey Towns of the Appalachian Frame Shop to produce this 40-piece exhibit. All of the images are framed with the same black border, which accentuates the color and crisp detail of the scenes. Bright spring blooms, autumn leaves, and green summer grasses are mixed with pictures of local historical sites, such as the Guest House and the David Hall Cabin.

Please come and enjoy this exciting art show at Oak Ridge Public Library.

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