Clyde Butcher to Unveil Historic Photo at Anna Maria Island Studio

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Renowned landscape photographer Clyde Butcher will have 57 pieces of his classic Florida photographs on display at The Studio at Gulf and Pine on Anna Maria Island through February 26. Butcher, who is also a noted environmentalist, will attend a meet and greet for the public at the opening reception on February 6 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Butcher will unveil a never before seen photo of Governor Chiles’ North Florida cabin.

Governor Chiles’ wife Rhea Chiles, who owns the studio, invited Butcher to attend this special event. At the exhibit, Butcher will unveil a signature piece he was asked to take back in 1988 when the Governor was in office. The photo has never before seen by the public.

“Governor Chiles is one of the few politicians who I have admired in my life because of all he did for Florida,” said Clyde Butcher in a press release announcing the event. “When I was honored with the most prestigious cultural honor that can be bestowed upon an individual in the state of Florida – The Artist Hall of Fame Award, Governor Chiles was at the event celebrating with me. He then invited me to come out to photograph his cabin. I was sure his cabin was a very large and modern house and that he misunderstood what kind of photography I do, but I said yes.”

The cabin, located in North Florida, has a unique history. When Interstate 10 was being built, the two-story cabin built in the 1800’s, was slated for demolition. Governor Chiles (who wasn’t Governor at the time) had the cabin carefully removed piece by piece and then rebuilt on his property. The rebuilding was done using the same tools and equipment of that time period.

“It was beautifully completed and yes, it was worthy of a photograph!” said Butcher.

Butcher’s Classic Images collection will be on display at The Studio at Gulf and Pine from January 30 – February 26, 2014.