“Up Close and Personal: The Beauty of Tiny Insects,” photography by Stan Lewis, opens September 2 at the Nature Art Gallery

For immediate release ‐ September 01, 2016

Contact: Emelia Cowans, 919.707.9837. Images available upon request

Praying Mantis close-up. Photo by Stan Lewis.

RALEIGH — “Up Close and Personal: The Beauty of Tiny Insects,” photography by Stan Lewis, opens at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Art Gallery on Friday, September 2 and runs through Sunday, October 2. A Gallery reception will be held for Lewis on Saturday, September 3 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Lewis, who resides in Chapel Hill, began his photography journey while in high school as a way to connect with the world around him. Starting as a yearbook photographer, he then moved to covering sports and social events for the Kernersville News, his hometown newspaper. From there, he developed a niche photographing tiny images. “My technique for capturing many of the smaller images is a reverse lens approach where I take a standard prime lens and mount it onto the camera backwards using a reverse ring,” says Lewis. “This allows for a greater magnification and in turn I am able to print these images in very large sizes in comparison to their actual size.”

The beauty of finite detail is apparent in Lewis’ work and it is that detail that intensifies his enthusiasm. “It is pure excitement and joy being able to capture some of nature’s beauty even when the subjects are very small. We are all intrinsically connected with all of nature and to see the beauty and connectedness with even the smallest of creatures can put a smile on all of our faces.” The Nature Art Gallery is located on the top floor of the Museum Store (1st floor, main building). Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4:45 p.m. All exhibited art is for sale.  For more information about the Nature Art Gallery, call 919.707.9854.


The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (11 W. Jones St. and 121 W. Jones St.) in downtown Raleigh, is the state’s most visited cultural attraction. It is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world, drawing them into the intriguing fields of study that are critical to the future of North Carolina. Hours: Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the Web at www.naturalsciences.org. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Director; Susan Kluttz, Secretary, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Pat McCrory, Governor.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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