BRADENTON, FL – Nature enthusiasts are invited to join Goodwill Manasota in Bradenton on Saturday, December 2, 1-4 p.m. for a special program. Award-winning animal photographer, wildlife advocate, author and speaker Larry Allan will join Goodwill at its Manatee Avenue Art & Bookstore (5512 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton) for a special photography exhibition and book signing event.
The program will feature an exhibition of Allan’s wildlife photography. Copies of his book, “Florida Animals for Everyday Naturalists,” photographs, and children’s DVD, “Little Lost Mountain Lion,” will all be available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds of the sales of Allan’s work will go to Goodwill Manasota; he will sign his books and DVDs for cash donations that will directly benefit Goodwill.
In addition to meeting attendees and signing his work, Allan will also give two presentations on some of his personal encounters with Florida wildlife – stories told in his book – at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Drawings for a free photograph or DVD will be held after each presentation.
Allan’s animal photography has been used in advertising, corporate logos, and packaging; in books, magazines, calendars, greeting cards, annual reports and other printed media; and in television and motion pictures. In 2005, he was the Sierra Club’s Ansel Adams Award-winner. In 2003, one of his photographs was a finalist, and six were semi-finalists, in the International Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition of the British Natural History Museum and the BBC. Over the span of his 30-year career, his work has appeared in more than 16 books and hundreds of magazine articles.
“We are thrilled to be able to be able to present an artist of Larry Allan’s caliber at our Art & Bookstore,” said Goodwill Manasota’s community engagement director, Samantha Valentin. “His decades of experience and the quality of his work will serve to thrill our shoppers and supporters. We are pleased to be able to offer such an entertaining and elevating program and look forward to welcoming many guests on December 2.”
For more information about this event, go to experiencegoodwill.org/events or call (941) 355-2721.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2016, Goodwill Manasota served 28,207 people, placed 755 people in jobs and assisted 240 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 40 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.