Please Help Frame Original Illustrations by Roger Tory Peterson and Create a Traveling Exhibit of Never Before Displayed Art.
Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996) is considered 20th century America's king of bird watching and nature education. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI) is a small not-for-profit organization located in Peterson's hometown of Jamestown, New York, where we offer nature education programs and exhibits in the spirit of our hero. The Institute's archival vaults preserve over 200,000 works of art and other items that frame the arc of Peterson's spectacular career. Peterson considered himself first and formost an educator and we intend to continue his life's work by making his work available to a wide audience.
Roger Tory Peterson's paintings and illustrations, reproduced in millions of field guides, books and magazines over several decades, inspired generations of Americans to know and love nature. Through much of his career the most practical and economical way to make his point was in black and white. Although Peterson is not best known for the black and white illustrations that graced several of his popular books, his pen-and-ink drawings are brilliantly executed gems that have never before been exhibited! The Roger Tory Peterson Institute wants to frame several of the original illustrations from our collection and send them on the road for new generations of artists, nature-lovers and environmentalists across the country to enjoy.
RTPI plans to have expertly framed 50 of the best Peterson's original illustrations from How to Know the Birds (1949), Wild America (1955), The Bird Watcher's Anthology (1959), and Penguins (1979). Our picture framer, a longtime friend and supporter of our Institute, has given us a fantastic deal to do the job. The cost of framing each illustration ($150) includes high-quality conservation framing to ensure the continued protection of the original artwork (acid-free mattes, unbreakable plexiglass that protects from harmful UV radiation, etc.) and also includes durable packaging so that these pieces can be shipped to other venues across the country as part of a traveling exhibit.
Please help us raise the funds necessary to get this framing done, to get these priceless jewels out of our vault and into nature centers and museums where thousands of people can enjoy and learn from them.