BARD COLLEGE: FROM COMEDY TO CONSERVATION

Thursday, February 29, 2024, Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

The Bard Biology Program Presents Carla Rhodes: From Comedy to Conservation

Moth Mystique: Illuminating the Dark Side of Winged Wonders – Berkshire Green Drinks

Thursday, July 20th, 2023 – Pittsfield, MA

In anticipation of National Moth Week, Carla Rhodes, a wildlife conservation photographer and moth enthusiast, will give a presentation all about moths: what mothing is, how to do it, why moths are important, and what moths you might see in your own backyard!

Carla will go over the basic mothing setup anyone can make with a simple sheet and light, as well as other alternatives for attracting and observing moths on your own. She’ll show some of the phenomenal up-close photos she’s captured of moths in her own yard and discuss the variety of host plants these moths use throughout their life cycles. And she’ll, of course, talk about the importance of moths and why they’re just as beautiful as butterflies—if not more beautiful—and far more essential to global pollination.

This is a HYBRID event. Carla will speak for 30-45 minutes; the presentation will be followed by a discussion and Q&A. BEAT will provide complimentary light snacks and finger foods for in-person attendees, and beer and wine will be available for purchase.

TIME: 5:45 PM – 7:30 PM

The presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:30 PM. You MUST register to virtually attend. Click here to register for online participation.

LOCATION: BEAT’s Environmental Leadership & Education Center, 20 Chapel St, Pittsfield, MA

 More information here!

Carla Rhodes: From Comedy to Conservation – CPW’s Meet The Artist

July 27th, 2023 – CPW, Kingston, New York

Please join CPW on Thursdays for our “Meet the Artist” lecture series. This series provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the work of other local and visiting artists, including CPW’s artists-in-residence.

After a life-changing encounter with endangered Greater Adjutant storks in Northeastern India, former comedic ventriloquist Carla Rhodes switched gears and dedicated her creative energy to conservation photography.

With work published in The New York Times, The Guardian, and more, Carla’s untraditional path to helping elevate wildlife through the art form of photography inspires people to chase their wildest dreams.

 https://cpw.org/news/meet-the-artist-with-carla-rhodes/

Here Now: Contemporary Photographers of the Hudson Valley, Woodstock – Byrdcliffe Guild

August 12th – September 26th, 2023 – Woodstock, New York

An exhibition of acclaimed Hudson Valley photo-based contemporary artists who each employ various approaches and techniques to relay stories — primarily of differing cultural backgrounds, identity issues, and a relationship to nature.  Their works vary in terms of aesthetics — ranging from highly refined formalism, to capturing candid moments of current societal mores. The collective works present a compelling and insightful reflection into this present moment.

Participating Artists: Sharon Core, Carolyn Marks Blackwood, Tim Davis, Phyllis Galembo, Lyle Ashton Harris, Marvin Heiferman, Dana Hoey, Carmen Lizardo, Tanya Marcuse, Pete Mauney, Qiana Mestrich, Jeffrey Milstein, Andrew Moore, Carla Rhodes, Seth David Rubin, Ryan Rusiecki, and Oliver Wasow.

More information: https://www.woodstockguild.org/exhibitions/here-now-contemporary-photographers-of-the-hudson-valley

An Evening With Carla & Sam at Graveside Variety

September 2nd, 2023 – Woodstock, New York

Join photographers Sam Margevicius and Carla Rhodes for a madcap evening of photography discussion and presentations at Woodstock’s newest performance space, Graveside Variety. More info to be announced.

Carla Rhodes: From Comedy to Conservation – Berkshire Green Drinks

February 8th, 2023 – Great Barrington, MA

After a life-changing encounter with endangered Greater Adjutant storks in Northeastern India, former comedic ventriloquist Carla Rhodes switched gears and dedicated her creative energy to conservation photography.

With work published in The New York Times, The Guardian, and more, Carla’s untraditional path to helping elevate wildlife through the art form of photography inspires people to chase their wildest dreams.

Join BEAT in person or online for the February Berkshire Green Drinks event to hear how Carla went from comedy to conservation and see some of the awe-inspiring moments she has captured through her photography.

The in-person gathering begins at 5:15 PM, Wednesday, February 8, at Barrington Brewery, 420 Stockbridge Rd, Great Barrington, MA. The presentation starts at 6:00 PM.

 Reserve a spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carla-rhodes-from-comedy-to-conservation-berkshire-green-drinks-tickets-510992260607

Pre-registration is required to attend the virtual presentation. Register at tinyurl.com/Feb2023-Berks-Green-Drinks

BugFest – Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

September 24th, 2022 – Clermont, Kentucky

Bernheim’s Bugfest complete with a bug-theme concert, insect Safaris, the Bug Zoo, Idlewild Butterfly & Insectarium, Spider Tent, bug crafts, and the BUG PARADE and more!

Wildlife Conservation Photographer Carla Rhodes will be a featured guest at this year’s BugFest! Meet the artist, see the forest through her eyes, and hear about her adventures as Bernheim’s first Environmental Artist in Residence!

Free for members; $10 per car admission fee for non-members.

Hudson Hall – City of Trash Summer Camp

August 2nd, 2021 – Free – Click for details

I’ll be giving a presentation about wildlife conservation photography and my photographic work with endangered Greater Adjutants at the “City of Trash” summer camp in Hudson, New York.

“Guided by the creative minds behind youth focused theater group Grand Pistachio, this unique summer camp will see your budding environmentalists explore these questions and more. They’ll go on field trips to interview sanitation officials and craft stories based on what they hear, create puppets from reusable materials and even create their own public art installation of trash!”

California Academy of Sciences Virtual Talk

WATCH RECORDING HERE

Discover how one community—and one woman in particular—have found a way to protect the rarest stork in the world in this fascinating discussion with wildlife conservation photographer Carla Rhodes, founder of the Hargila Army Purnima Devi Barman, hosted by bioGraphic’s editor-in-chief, Steven Bedard. Learn more about how this community came together to appreciate this endangered species and embrace it as one of their own.

From Comedy to Conservation: A Wild Bird Fund-Inspired Journey

WATCH RECORDING HERE

Volunteering at Wild Bird Fund in 2014

Crossing paths with birds can change you – take it from Carla Rhodes. Through inspiring encounters with birds, Carla renewed her connection to nature and became a WBF volunteer, and a wildly successful conservation photographer!

Ten years ago, Carla was a comedian and ventriloquist on the road to fulfilling her dream of a life in show business. After a series of events, including finding an injured pigeon on an East Village street, unexpectedly getting herself behind a camera, and stumbling upon the incredible Greater Adjutant stork on an adventure in India, Carla found herself following a new dream. These avian encounters changed the trajectory of her life, ultimately landing her in a new career as an award-winning nature photographer featured in the New York Times.

In a fun and enlightening talk, Carla will share her personal journey, present the charms of the fascinating Greater Adjutant stork (and the incredible army of women working to protect them), and inspire us all to follow our wildest conservation dreams.

Carla Rhodes’  love of both birds and ventriloquism began during her childhood in Kentucky. She moved to NYC to work as a performer, and after meeting Rita McMahon for a pigeon rescue, Carla started volunteering at WBF. Working with WBF reconnected her to nature – especially the winged creatures she loved as a girl.

Carla began exploring photography in 2015 and quickly turned a new hobby into a profession combined with her passion for birds. Her goal as a wildlife conservation photographer is to tell engaging and impactful stories. After a moving encounter with Greater Adjutant storks in India, she realized her photography could accomplish more than pretty pictures. “I suddenly realized I wanted my work to mean something deeper, evoke emotion and inspire change. I’m incredibly passionate about raising awareness for my subjects while holding myself to high ethical standards. Most importantly, I want my work to educate viewers while inspiring positive change.”