New Jersey native Jacki Dickert grew up playing in the woods, climbing trees, and believing in the magic of the world. A child of a nature photographer, she informally studied the art her whole life. A trip to the visually stunning country of Iceland in 2006 inspired her to focus more seriously on photography, in order to present the wondrous beauty of the world for others to experience. This magnificence she finds in all wild places, from exotic locales to the little strip of woods near her own backyard.
An ecstatic wanderer at heart, Jacki photographs with an openness to the present moment and a keen awareness of the world around her. Imagination is her friend.
Her images have been showcased at galleries throughout New Jersey. Her work has been published on book covers, in textbooks, and in magazines like Backpacker and The Sun. Jacki won first place in the Ansel Adams photography contest help by the Fenimore Art Museum. In addition, Jacki self-publishes the annual "World of Wonder" photography calendar.
Recently retired from teaching elementary school, Ms. Dickert now teaches photography classes to children and adults. She is an active member of the Camera Naturalist Photo Club and a presenter and judge for the New Jersey Federation of Camera Clubs. Finally, she enjoys doing volunteer work for local environmental organizations and using her art and skills for conservation purposes.
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Artist Statement
I feel great wonder and joy in the world around me. In awe of what I find in nature, I love the land, plants, patterns, and little corners of the world that I discover in my frequent wanderings there. Thus, my work ranges from sweeping landscapes to images of the often overlooked, but exquisitely beautiful, details of nature. Throughout, I attempt to incorporate a sense of design that is either inherent in the subject matter or effected by composition choice.
While my imagination is captivated by “found” artistry, I also believe a photographer may use the tools and techniques available to create expressive images. I am open to using the camera in non-traditional ways as well as to fully using the tools of the digital darkroom to develop my images to match my vision, both inner and outer.
I would like the viewing of my photographs to be a rich experience, evoking emotion and stimulating the imagination. Ultimately, I hope that my work allows viewers to be touched by the magic and beauty that is always around us.
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More photos available on Flickr.
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Exhibitions (*indicates solo show)
*2023 January "Scenic Beauty of Union County" Commissioners Gallery, Elizabeth, NJ
2022 Dec: “Camera Naturalists-Namibia Series” Somerset County Courthouse
2022 November "NJ: Journey of Surprises" Newark Liberty Airport (One year exhibit)
*2022 October “Scenic Union County,” Cranford Library Gallery, Cranford, NJ
2022 September “Kindness” Nails in the Wall Gallery, Metuchen, NJ
2022 June: “Green” Art Alliance of Monmouth County, Red Bank, NJ
2022, January: “Homegrown2” Selected works Gallery Space, Rahway, NJ
*2021, November: “Down the Woods” Community Center Gallery, Winfield, NJ
*2021, August: “Water: the Real and the Abstract”Art on Main, Rahway NJ
*2020, October: “Water B’Witched Rustscapes” Waterwitch Gallery, Highlands, NJ
*2020, October: “World of Wonder- Metal Prints” Waterwitch Gallery, Highlands, NJ
*2020, September: “World of Wonder-Metal Prints”Croton Arts Live (online)
2020, August: “Turning Toward the Light” selected work Artfront Galleries, Newark NJ
*2020, Jan-March “Landscapes of Wonder” Pearl Street Gallery, Elizabeth, NJ
2019, December: “Impressionist Series” Simply Art and Framing, Cranford, NJ
*2019, June: “Land, Water, and Light of the Rahway River" RRWA Education Center, Rahway, NJ
*2019: Jewels of the Watershed” commissioned permanent exhibit- Rahway River Watershed Association
2019 February: “Earth: Our Island Home” Nails in the Wall Gallery, Metuchen, NJ
2018 November: “Celebrating Local Beauty”Simply Art and Framing, Cranford, NJ
2017 December: “Light” selected works Gallery U Boutique, Westfield, NJ
*2017, September: “World of Wonder-Metal prints”Palmer Museum, Springfield, NJ
*2016, Jan-Feb. “World of Wonder- Metal Prints” Trailside Nature and Science Center, Mountainside, NJ
*2015, August “World of Wonder” Essex County Environmental Center, Livingston, NJ
2015, August “Photography Friends” Millburn Public Library, Millburn, NJ