Taylorsville resident Carr Clifton has been lauded as “one of the greatest living masters of outdoor and nature photography” (kenrockwell.com). Outdoor Photographer Magazine states that he is “truly a master.” Digital Photo Magazine adds, “Carr Clifton has achieved iconic status in the world of nature photography.”

A rare local exhibition of Clifton’s work will fill the walls as the first public event at Plumas Arts’ new home in the newly remodeled Capitol Arts Center at 525 Main St., right across the street from the county courthouse. Visitors can meet Clifton and see the beautiful new community space at the opening reception Friday, May 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Clifton has spent 30 years exploring the endangered wild landscapes most people will never know. An accomplished wilderness guide and traveler, Clifton is widely recognized for his distinctive and artistic landscapes of remote regions. He has dedicated himself to his art, which, he says, “isn’t only framing the image in the camera, but getting myself to the wildest places where I do my best work.” Clifton’s wilderness skills have allowed him entrance into the solitude of some of the world’s most remote and least populated regions.

His photographs regularly appear in prestigious publications such as National Geographic, Life, Geo, Outside Magazine, Smithsonian, Audubon, Natural History, Mountain Bike, Esquire, Travel Holiday, Outdoor Photographer, Sunset and Sierra magazines.

In addition to magazine credits this world-class photographer has produced several books of his extraordinary body of work. Titles include “Wild by Law,” published by Sierra Club Books; “Wild & Scenic California,” published by Brown Trout Publishers; and “California Magnificent Wilderness,” “New York, Images of the Landscape” and “The Hudson, River That Flows Two Ways,” published by Westcliffe.

Clifton’s most recent book project, currently on the Canadian best-seller list, is a collaborative effort with National Geographic explorer-in-residence and author Wade Davis. It is called “The Sacred Headwaters, The Fight to Save the Stikine, Skeena & Nass,” and was released in November 2011.

Clifton’s captivating images accompany Davis’ lyrical and informing story. Capturing some of the most beautiful and endangered lands in North America, Clifton spent nine weeks trekking hundreds of miles of backcountry trails and roads, logging 10 helicopter flights and covering a vast and mostly roadless area of approximately 15,000 square miles.

Clifton’s images are in high demand by an impressive list of advertising clients that include: Apple Computers, Jeep, Patagonia, Alaska Airlines, The Weather Channel, LL Bean, United Airlines, New York State, Holland America, Marvin Windows, Fuji Film, Kodak and Delta Airlines.

Recent awards include the Detroit Creative Directors Silver Caddy Award for outstanding landscape photography in advertising and the Theodore Roosevelt Founders Medal for outstanding expeditionary achievement. Clifton’s work has been exhibited at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, The Nikon House, San Diego Museum of Natural History, Mountain Light Gallery and The California Academy of Sciences. Plumas Arts considers it an honor to be included in this list of exhibition spaces.

For a preview of his images and more about the artist go to his website, carrclifton.com.    Plumas Arts said a generous donation for the gallery lighting system from the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, which was made possible by Feather River College S.I.F.E. (Students in Free Enterprise).