Peggy Mauerman, Allenspark. When she was going away to Girl Scout camp as a little girl, her parents gave her a Brownie camera. “From that moment I was hooked,” said photographer Lyn E. Ferguson, one of the featured artists at The Old Gallery in Allenspark.
The self-taught photographer has observed and photographed natural wonders and wildlife in Africa, Australia, Costa Rica, Peru, the Galápagos Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, National Parks throughout the United States and now Estes Park. Her photography reflects respect and gratitude for the gifts of nature and an ability to pay attention to and appreciate the large and small in nature.
“I’ve only taken one three-day class at Yellowstone National Park through the Yellowstone Institute,” she said. “I’ve learned through regular practice, especially after retirement to Estes Park.”
Ferguson is one of 19 artists featured at The Old Gallery in Allenspark, a nonprofit center for community, the arts and visitors on Colorado State Highway 7. She’s been associated with The Old Gallery for nine years and will be the Artist in Residence on Saturday, August 31 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
“I’ll be discussing photography, and photo book, photo card and photo canvas-making options with interested visitors,” she said. She’ll also be demonstrating photo book making.
When asked what she enjoys about photography, she said, “The constant focus on beauty and wonder has become a spiritual practice for me. And I am able to carry this focus throughout my travels, in the U.S. and internationally.”
“We live in an amazingly beautiful, rich environment in Colorado and in our world,” she added. “I am inspired to capture this beauty and diversity the best I can and to share my experiences with others through photographs.”
Prior to retirement, Ferguson was a counselor working with high school and college students for 34 years. She received her BA and MA from the University of Northern Colorado and her EdS and PhD from the University of Florida.
When asked what she likes about The Old Gallery in Allenspark, she said, “I think the talent of artists and diversity of art is pretty exceptional.”
The Old Gallery is a nonprofit center for community, the arts and visitors, located at 14863 Hwy. 7 in Allenspark. While it’s only 20 minutes from Estes Park, it’s nothing like it. This is a small mountain hamlet where visitors and residents alike can slow down and enjoy the peace and beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
For a complete list of artists and events at The Old Gallery visit www.theoldgallery.org. For more information contact Peggy Mauerman at 303-747-2906, info@theoldgallery.org.
(Originally published in the August 22, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)
