The program is part of PARI’s monthly Evening at PARI series and will feature presentations and photography tips from two award-winning local photographers, Jack Christfield and Rob Travis. 

A Brevard resident, Christfield has been pursuing his lifelong interest in photography since retiring from his career in computer software with Logility, Inc.  His work has been featured in Our State and Blue Ridge Country magazines and in 2007 he won Best in Show at the Blue Ridge Fine Photography exhibit. Christfield is a member of the Land of Waterfalls Camera Club and his work is currently displayed at Biltmore and Bluewood Gallery in Brevard. 

After service in the U.S. Army and various technical and management jobs in construction and engineering, Travis joined his family business at the Glass Feather Studio Gallery in Cedar Mountain, NC.  In addition to pursuing his interest in photography, Travis has learned the art of designing and producing kiln-fired fused glass.  An active member of the Land of Waterfalls Camera Club and the Carolina Nature Photographers Association, Travis placed in the 2008 Appalachian Spring Photo Contest and his work is currently on display at the Glass Feather Studio Gallery.

“We are fortunate to have this level of talent in Western North Carolina,” said PARI Education Director Christi Whitworth, “and grateful these experts are willing to share their insights.  Many people love to run outside and capture photos of evening activities and the night sky, but often are disappointed with the results.  This workshop will explore the basics of capturing images at night and is suitable for people with all levels of photographic experience, from novice to accomplished amateur.  Participants can even begin practicing right away during the evening observing session.”

The Evening at PARI program will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a site tour, followed by the presentation and observing session.  Each participant will also have the opportunity to have a photo taken with a PARI telescope and will receive a subscription to the PARI newsletter and a 10% discount on PARI merchandise.

Reservations are required and will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. the day of the event.  Evening at PARI programs cost $20 per adult, $15 for seniors/military and $10 for children under 14.  For additional information or to schedule a reservation contact PARI Education Director Christi Whitworth at (828) 862-5554 or send an email to cwhitworth@pari.edu.  Reservations can also be made online at www.pari.edu. 

Program details and directions to the site can be found at the PARI web site, www.pari.edu.

About PARI
The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) foundation established in 1998.  Located in the Pisgah Forest 30 miles southwest of Asheville, NC, the PARI campus is a dark sky location for astronomy and was selected in 1962 by NASA as the site for one of the first U.S. satellite tracking facilities.  Today, the 200 acre campus houses radio and optical telescopes, earth science instruments, 30 buildings, a fulltime staff and all the infrastructure necessary to support STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and research.  PARI offers educational programs at all levels, from K-12 through post-graduate research.  The institute is a member of the NC Grassroots Museum Collaborative, a partner in NC OPT-ED and is affiliated with the 16-campus University of North Carolina system through PARSEC, a UNC Center hosted at PARI.  For more information about PARI and its programs, visit www.pari.edu.