MIU Student Shannon Ryan’s Underwater Photography Featured at Hosmer Gallery
Shannon Ryan, a student in MIU’s Sustainable Living program, has a talent and passion for underwater photography.
Shannon was recently selected to exhibit her underwater photographs at Forbes Library, Hosmer Gallery in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Once a year, the Hosmer Gallery invites Valley artists to submit an application to this exclusive art show. The competition is steep, with over a hundred artists applying for a limited number of spots.
The date of Shannon’s exhibit is yet to be decided, but she is currently listed in the schedule for August 2017. She will discuss her many years of experience photographing underwater life with artists and interested attendees, explaining the intricacies of knowing the right moment to shoot as well as the pure excitement and joy of being in such “under the sea” company.
Shannon was raised in a home that placed a very high priority on Transcendental Meditation and the teachings of MIU founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. As she grew up, she developed a deep love for nature in all its forms.
Shannon recalls, “I first became interested (my parents would say obsessed) with the sea and scuba diving at age 7. I was too young to learn, but that didn’t dampen my interest.”
By age 12, Shannon’s parents began taking her seriously enough to enroll her in swimming classes, and eventually an open-water dive certification course at age 16. After becoming officially certified, she purchased her first underwater camera. She fell in love with underwater photography and has been stalking marine life with her lens ever since.
Shannon recalls her decision to enroll in MIU’s Sustainable Living program, “When it came to choosing a college, I only visited MIU! It really is the only higher education program which values personal development as a foundation for learning academics. My long term goal is to teach the world about the importance of ocean sustainability. I feel it is the key, with water being 75% of the earth, to our continued existence and prosperity. But, to really achieve this goal, we need to change world consciousness through meditation and education. So, you can see, there is a perfect match here at MIU. The only real drawback is that Iowa is VERY far from the ocean!”
Shannon’s scuba diving adventures have taken her to destinations such as North Carolina, Florida (from West Palm to Key Largo), and the “cold” North East. She has attended sea turtle rescue camp, eaten pizza in an underwater hotel, and been swimming with sharks (her favorite).
Check out the Hosmer Gallery at Forbes Library and the schedule, which includes Shannon and other artists.
Chris Vasques is currently working on his BA in Sustainable Living with a focus on Community Building and Psychology. Chris has been a musician for the last 20 years and has developed professional skills in writing, marketing, and design.