'Beyond the Shimmering Waters: Everglades + Immokalee Photography'
Mon Mar 8, 10:00 AM - Fri May 28, 4:00 PM

History Fort Lauderdale, proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, will celebrate Women's History Month and World Water Month with "Beyond the Shimmering Waters: Everglades + Immokalee Photography," a visual narrative by award-winning artist Lisette Morales. The exhibit will open on Monday, March 8, International Women’s Day, with a special livestream virtual reception via YouTube where attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q & A with Morales, at 4 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through May 28 in the New River Inn (231 Southwest Second Avenue in Downtown Fort Lauderdale) and available digitally via History Fort Lauderdale’s YouTube channel.

“Beyond the Shimmering Waters: Everglades + Immokalee Photography,” is a project created entirely in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This exhibition at History Fort Lauderdale begins with a series of images highlighting Miccosukee Grandmother and Everglades conservationist Betty Osceola, Panther Clan, and her work promoting respect and awareness for our planet by organizing Indigenous prayer walks through the Everglades. It also highlights a collection of portraits of women who work or live in Immokalee and whose strength and perseverance are admirable and worthy.

Lisette Morales is a Nicaraguan-born photojournalist and interdisciplinary artist based in Florida. Her camera has been her tool for activism since the early ‘90s when she traveled through war-torn areas of Central America, documenting the disruption from military conflicts. After surviving domestic violence in her own life, Morales turned to painting and illustration as a mode of catharsis and self-expression. Her work echoes the feminist worldview that she now embodies and has been featured in numerous publications. In recent years, Morales has returned to photography as her media of choice. Morales was an official delegate to the United Nations Women 2018 Commission on the Status of Women. She is a member of the Artful Activist, Zuma Press, The Authority Collective, ArtAid Naples and Colectivo Liminal.

"Beyond the Shimmering Waters: Everglades + Immokalee Photography," is one of several storie