The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks
Dec 07, 2017
Kathy Stark
The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks

The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks
BOOK BY JACKSONVILLE ARTIST CELEBRATES NORTH FLORIDA’S NATURAL PARKS PROJECT EXHIBIT: Now at the Thrasher Horne Center in Orange Park until Nov.17 A newly released book by Jacksonville artist Kathy Stark offers a unique and family friendly exploration of the extensive system of natural parks in North Florida.

The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks combines Stark’s lush and expansive watercolor paintings with sketches, notes, historical facts and maps to create a work that is a both a guide and handbook, as well as a tribute, to the great unspoiled stretches of the region.  Former Governor and Senator Bob Graham and Florida Times-Union columnist and author Mark Woods both provide commentary. The book is an outgrowth of Stark’s personal passion for the outdoors and her love of the natural beauty of North Florida. Stark, accompanied by her dog Tanner, spent years exploring the region’s parks, capturing the wild scenery in sketches that became the basis for a large collection of paintings.  In the last two years, she organized this extensive portfolio into a book that documents, educates and inspires. The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks was published in partnership with the Timucuan Parks Foundation, with a portion of the  proceeds supporting that nonprofit, which, advocates for North Florida’s parks. 

Merrill Lynch is the title sponsor for the project, supporting both the book and a corresponding exhibit. Launched at MOSH - the Museum of Science and History, the initial exhibit ran from Feb. 25 - Sept. 4, 2017. The exhibit is traveling to other gallery venues around the region. It is currently at the Thrasher Horne Center in Orange Park until Nov. 17. As part of the project, Merrill Lynch underwrote the cost of over 300 books donated to public libraries and public school libraries in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties. This donation increased the impact of the project. TO LEARN MORE: Kathy Stark, 904-704-1665, kartstark@gmail.com On Facebook: The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks - www.kathystark.com