Goldner Walsh Garden & Home hosted the photography exhibit “Visions of Africa,” by wildlife photographer William Cowger, in their Pontiac greenhouses on April 12 from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. DMM sent our photojournalists to cover the event and we discovered that a greenhouse, surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers, is a virtually ideal space for relaxing and enjoying the African plains of the Serengeti as visualized by an outstanding photographer. Adding to the galleries backdrop was the tasting of fine South African wines, from Arabella, provided by “The Wine Guy,” sommelier William Schwab.

The photographs were remarkable in their context as well as in their quality and subject matter. By this, I mean that one could get the impression of secretly watching the great cats, elephants, rhinos, and others during their most intimate and typically unseen rituals; nursing, hunting, herding, and merely at rest. Not the rest of an animal in a zoo, but the casual and comfortable repose of a mammal at home with its surroundings. Animals at home with the ancient seasonal rhythms that we of the genus homo left behind, not so long ago as evolution goes, to develop agriculture, city-states, and our current technological semi-civilization. It wasn’t just the photographic quality, which was very high, but the feeling evinced by these scenes that instilled a sense of wonder and, yes, something that we humans have lost.

Tim Travis, Peggy Kerr, and Bridgette O’Brien of Goldner Walsh were fabulous hosts for this event, as they have been for other events at this large plant nursery. However, referring to it as a nursery is a bit misleading, because it is actually about nine acres of greenhouses and outdoor areas that serve as a background for their landscaping business, a floral shop, and many other events, including weddings, that are hosted there. And stay tuned, because Tim has big plans, including the installation of an amphitheater venue near the river. Could a microbrewery also be in the offing?

Detroit Metro Mashup had a great time at Goldner Walsh and we hope to get back there soon and provide more coverage. For now, click on the photo stack above to open up the gallery of photos that we took at Visions of Africa! After that, go buy some plants and flowers, it’s spring (yes, we know it’s been snowing, but it’s still spring).

To buy some plants or schedule an event, contact:

Goldner Walsh Garden & Home
559 Orchard Lake Rd.
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 332-6430
Web: http://goldnerwalsh.com/Welcome.html

To schedule an African Photo Safari and Workshop, contact:

William Cowger
Phone: (248) 828-0666
Web: http://www.acaciaphoto.com Or http://www.ThePhotoSafari.com

For fine wines, with a focus on small production, handcrafted wines, contact:

William Schwab, Sommelier
The Wine Guy
1932 South Telegraph
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Phone: (248) 977-4893
Web: http://www.TheWineGuyStore.com