Environmental Writer & Filmmaker Bill Belleville Celebrates the Deering Estate's Icon of the Moment the Late Botanist John Kunkel Small
Bill Belleville, environmental writer and filmmaker, believes that people need to allow themselves the luxury of immersing their senses fully in the moment. The experience could be standing at the slow oxbow of a nearby spring-fed river, or seeing a dry creek revitalized during Florida's rainy season. On Wednesday, February 20th, at 7 pm, the author of "Salvaging the Real Florida: Lost and Found in the State of Dreams,'' discusses his writings and shares images from his most current work as the featured speaker for Icon of The Moment. The cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children (ages 4-14).
The Icon of the Moment event is part of the Deering Estate Festival of the Arts, a ten-day celebration of visual, literary and performing arts and artists at the historic Estate. The Deering Estate Festival of the Arts provides cultural engagement for all ages offering literary, musical and artistic experiences, to presenting a world-class exhibition, concerts and informative lectures.
The Icon refers to the late John Kunkel Small, a botanist who lived in the Estate's Richmond Cottage in the early 1900's, and used it as a base for his explorations through the hammock and the Everglades. JK Small was funded by Charles Dering to chronicle South Florida's environmental journey. For over a decade, JK Small documented the development and destruction of Florida and in 1929, published the first edition of his book ''From Eden to Sahara'' - Florida's Tragedy''. Deering edited the book's original forward, and today, the original documents are a part of the Deering Estate's special collection.
When JK Small's classic work ''Eden to Sahara'' was recently reprinted, Belleville was asked to write the introduction. ''This was an important project for me because it relates to the themes of nature, conservation, and sense of place,'' said Belleville. It is this connection to Small, and the parallels in their travels, studies and writings on the regions rich flora and fauna, that make this presentation of particular interest to South Floridians. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session following the presentation.
For more information on the Deering Estate Festival of the Arts, a complete schedule of events and tickets, please call the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668 x 233 or visit www.deeringestate.org.
About the Deering Estate at Cutler
The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Historic house tours are offered daily at 10:30 am & 3:00 pm. Natural areas tours are offered daily at 12:30 pm (October - May). EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs, please visit www.deeringestate.org.