Central College welcomes a “Wildlife Photography” exhibit by Kayla Lindquist, Class of 2025, to the Mills Gallery until Friday, April 14.

A reception for the artist will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, April 1, in the Mills Gallery, Lubbers Center on Central’s campus. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Lindquist, an environmental and sustainability studies and biology major, explains that photography helps her shape her interest in nature and remember details.

“Combining the images stored in my memory and topics learned in biology classes, I strive to capture more meaningful photos,” she says. “My current interest in botany is to find and include native plants that birds rely on. This not only makes it easier to find certain species and habitats, but it can lead to more impactful photos. I see photography as both an artistic expression and a way to share the little details found in the wild places around us.”

Through photography, she captures natural scenes and organisms in a unique, personal way.

“My motivation lies in sharing these moments with those who may not be aware or able to experience them. I try to persuade viewers to see and enjoy the intricate details of an ecosystem,” Lindquist says. “I look especially for details that seem to go unnoticed and would result in a heightened appreciation for nature.”

Lindquist grew up in Pecatonica, Illinois, and spent much of her time exploring nature preserves in the county where she lived. Her passion for photography began with her first smartphone at the age of 13.

“My first subject was flowers followed by landscapes, close-ups and birds,” Lindquist says. “Birds have been an obsession since 2017.”

In her second year at Central, she takes photographs of landscapes and events for the Central Communications office. Her career plans include becoming a natural resource technician, wildlife management/biologist or a professor in the sciences.