Scott Kraynak's Coming To The Surface

Artist and national park ranger Scott Kraynak opened a solo exhibition of his work at Biscayne National Park’s Dante Fascell Visitor Center Gallery on June 12. Inspired: Countless Sources of Beauty, One Spectacular Park features colored pencil drawings inspired not only by the park’s resources, but also by a variety of artistic movements.

The show is free to the public and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until September 7.

A statement from the park’s communications department describes Kraynak’s work: “(His) pieces echo a wide variety of emotions: his awe of wildlife; the quietude of a stilt house; the poignancy of the fragility of nature and history. The pieces also mirror Kraynak’s takes on the works of other artists, from impressionists to cubists to mannerists. Above all, though, Kraynak’s drawings mirror his love of nature. ‘While I hope that everyone that views my work can see the joy (or anger, depending on the piece) that I felt while creating it, ultimately, the purpose of this artwork is to inspire people to get out and immerse themselves in nature and to appreciate this treasure that we take for granted all too often,’ says Kraynak.”

Inspired is part of the park’s Community Artists program, which was started in 1997 as an outlet for the works of both established and emerging artists who are inspired by the beauty of Biscayne National Park. The program is made possible by the South Florida National Parks Trust through the generosity of Miami-Dade County’s Cultural Affairs Division, The First National Bank of South Florida and Sedano’s Supermarkets.

The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is located at 9700 SW 328 Street, nine miles east of Homestead. For further information on the exhibit call 305-230-7275 or visit NPS.gov/bisc.