The Clyde Butcher: A Better Florida Award
The Clyde Butcher: A Better Florida Award
The Clyde Butcher A Better Florida Award celebrates artists who dedicate themselves to preserving and amplifying the natural beauty and ecological significance of Florida. Named after the legendary photographer Clyde Butcher, this prestigious award was created following his receipt of The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. Clyde Butcher’s contributions to conserving Florida’s natural resources go beyond a single recognition, and this award now honors other artists who work tirelessly to keep Florida natural, wild, and accessible.
We consider both established and emerging artists across a wide range of creative disciplines, including photography, videography, painting, sculpture, architecture, writing, and mixed media, for this annual award. Clyde and Niki Butcher, in collaboration with The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks, select the recipients.
We recognize artists and their art forms for their passion for advancing the narrative of our natural world. Whether they focus on wildlife, plant life, the lands, the waters, or the communities interwoven throughout, we bestow The Clyde Butcher A Better Florida Award on those who amplify the ecological issues vital to Florida. This aligns with The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks’ three pillars of support: education, exploration, and conservation.
We announce the recipient of the award at our annual Wine & Wildlife event, held at the Naples Sailing & Yacht Club in February. The winner must be present to accept the award and will have the opportunity to speak for up to 3 minutes. The 2024 event will take place on February 11th at 6 pm.
We invite you to nominate artists who embody the spirit of this award by submitting your nominations at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PG22F65. Join us in celebrating and supporting these exceptional artists who commit themselves to preserving Florida’s natural heritage. Stay tuned for further details about our 2024 Wine & Wildlife event, where we will present this significant award.
Born in Montreal, Paul grew up near the sea in Hingham, MA. After graduating from The Art Institute of Boston in 1973, he spent 6 months as a deckhand on a research vessel which eventually brought him to Florida. He arrived in Naples in 1974, and since then, has called Naples his home. It also serves as his base for extensive painting junkets to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, the South Pacific, Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii, the Middle East, and Europe. Along with travel, annual fundraising shows have been a hallmark of his career and as of 1983, have benefited a variety of non-profit organizations devoted to health, environmental protection, and historic preservation. His lifelong pursuit to capture the essence of a location, particularly coastal communities, is enhanced by his passion for history and his natural storytelling ability.
Paul’s paintings are available for viewing at his studio in Old Naples. For appointments call 239-263-1214 or by email paul@paularsenault.art.com
Carlton Ward Jr. is a conservation photographer and National Geographic Explorer with a deep passion for Florida’s natural landscapes. Inspired by his family’s eight generations of heritage in the state, he focuses on highlighting and protecting Florida’s hidden wildness, including through his work on the Florida Wildlife Corridor project. His notable projects include “Path of the Panther,” which aims to save the endangered Florida panther and its habitat through powerful imagery and storytelling. Carlton’s work has earned him widespread recognition, including the Conservation Leadership Award from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and continues to inspire efforts to preserve Florida’s unique ecosystems.
For information regarding Carlton Ward Jr. sign up for Carlton’s newsletters through CarltonWard.com and FloridaWild.com, and follow him on Instagram @CarltonWard.