MHAM features work of wildlife photographer

An East Prairie artist who has gone from the simplest point-and-shoot snapshots to award-winning wildlife photographer in the past four years will have the featured show in June at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum.

“Through the Lens of Clay Guthrie,” will open with a reception from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at the museum. The show will be open through June 30.

Guthrie’s interest in this type of photograph was first captured by the deer at Mingo Wildlife Refuge. Today, he has been published in the “Missouri Conversationalist” and “Birds & Blooms” magazine. His photos have been displayed around the state.

Clay Guthrie

“I always had an interest in animals growing up, but I was never really into hunting. When it finally clicked that I could hunt with a camera, it all came together,” said Guthrie.

His start was with a “cheap point-and-shoot” camera, photographing trains about four years ago.

Guthrie says as he learned more, he began shooting landscapes on his way to and from the train tracks.

Clay Guthrie

“Soon I began photographing landscapes almost exclusively,” he explained.

The birth of his first daughter prompted Guthrie to upgrade his camera equipment.

During his first outing with a telephoto lens, he captured a deer wading through the water at Mingo.

“The photo was terrible,” Guthrie admits, adding he was hooked. “These days, I primarily work in conservation areas and on private land, often using a blind to get close to my subjects.”

Financial assistance for this program has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

For more information, call 573-686-8002 or visit online at www.mham.org.

The museum is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The museum is physically-impaired accessible.

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This story has been updated to include the June 2 date of the opening reception.