News/Events

Photography exhibit ‘Grand Canyon Photographs’ 1919 - Celebrating the Centennial - 2019 opens at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Art

September 9, 2019

New exhibit opens with a ‘Members Only’ Preview Party and Artist Talk

“I always love working with the team at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts. This venue is a great place to view and experience art.” Mark Burns

The new exhibit by photographer Mark Burns celebrates the Centennial Anniversary of the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park. This new exhibition features traditional black and white photography, traditional color photography, hand-colorized photography, pictorialism and contemporary photography. In addition to the photography, an audio recording of the Colorado River plays in the exhibit.

Photography exhibit ‘Grand Canyon Photographs’ 1919 - Celebrating the Centennial - 2019 opens at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

March 1, 2019

New exhibit kicks off with an opening reception with over 200 invited guests.

The new exhibit by photographer Mark Burns celebrates the Centennial Anniversary of the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park. This new exhibition features traditional black and white photography, traditional color photography, hand-colorized photography, pictorialism and contemporary photography. In addition to the photography, an audio recording of the Colorado River plays in the exhibit. “The Colorado River is what created this spectacular canyon… I thought it almost mandatory to incorporate the sound of the river’s ever moving water into this exhibit” Mark Burns

Photographer Mark Burns is Keynote Speaker at Prestigious Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Arizona

February 22 - 23, 2019

American photographer Mark Burns is the keynote speaker at the Center for Creative Photography’s 2019 ‘Ansel Adams Celebration’ weekend in Tucson, Arizona. More information on the Friday CCP Member/VIP event here. More information on the Saturday public event here.

Photographer Mark Burns gives official ‘exhibition’ name to his current Grand Canyon Photography Project. The upcoming exhibit will be titled ‘Grand Canyon Photographs’ 1919 - Celebrating the Centennial - 2019

December 18, 2018

“I wanted to replace the ‘working’ title of the project with a more appropriate ‘exhibition’ title… I choose ‘Grand Canyon Photographs’ 1919 - Celebrating the Centennial - 2019 as the official name” Mark Burns

The 'Grand Canyon Centennial Photography Project' now confirmed for exhibition at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts in Spring, Texas

May 2, 2017

The 'Grand Canyon Centennial Photography Project' exhibit will be on display at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts from September 9, 2019 through January 10, 2020.  More information here.

The 'Grand Canyon Centennial Photography Project' set to debut at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas

April 24, 2017

The 'Grand Canyon Centennial Photography Project' exhibit will have it's inaugural opening at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas on February 1, 2019 through April 30, 2019.  More information here.

New photography begins for the 'Grand Canyon Centennial Photography Project' 

December 18, 2016

While some previously completed photography work will be included in the new upcoming exhibition, new photography work begins in December of 2016. This upcoming exhibit celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park will feature traditional black and white photography, color photography, and vintage styled hand-tinted color photographs. Also new in this exhibition will be a series of classic panoramas shot on film with a Fujifilm GX617 camera.  More information here

'The National Parks - Select Images' exhibit at the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum in Austin, Texas

October 7, 2016

'The National Parks - Select Images' exhibit at the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum in Austin, Texas featured in 'Lonely Planet' as The Americas 'Editor's Pick' article.

"An Explorer's Ode to America's National Parks"

August 28, 2016

"An Explorer's Ode to America's National Parks" - Photographer Mark Burns and 'The National Parks Photography Project', currently on exhibition at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, featured in 'The Atlantic' magazine.

America's National Park Service Celebrates its 100th Birthday

August 25, 2016

Happy Birthday to America's National Park Service. On August 25th, 1916, the National Park Service was created. Today the NPS oversees just over 400 national park sites.

For more information on the Centennial birthday celebration, or to find your park, click here.

Houston Chronicle: 'Escapes' - Picture Perfect Adventure

August 7, 2016

The Houston Chronicle featured a double-page spread on The National Parks Photography Project exhibit on display through September 28, 2016 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Read the online version here.

Read the PDF version here.

Photographer Mark Burns interviewed by HTV about The National Parks Photography Project exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

July 29, 2016

Houston Television interviews Photographer Mark Burns about The National Parks Photography Project exhibit currently being presented at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Watch the interview here.

HMNS Distinguished Lecture "The National Parks - America's Cathedrals of Nature"

June 21, 2016

In honor of the 2016 centennial celebration of America's national parks, American photographer Mark Burns' set out on The National Parks Photography Project.

In this special evening, Burns will chronicle the project that took him to each of America's 59 national parks with special guest Kyle Britt and guest moderator Doug Johnson of KPRC. Following the presentation, the audience will be invited into the National Parks Photography Project exhibition to see the collection of iconic black and white photographs with the photographer.

Click here for tickets.

Photographer Mark Burns to be a featured 2016 Sam Houston State University "Let's Talk" Speaker

March 31, 2016

Marks Burns was a featured speaker at Sam Houston State University "Let's Talk". See the video here.

The National Parks Photography Project exhibit opens at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum - Walker Center

March 30, 2016

The National Parks Photography Project exhibit opens at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum - Walker Center. The exhibition runs through May 22, 2016. Further information here.

The National Parks Photography Project inaugural exhibition closes at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

March 21, 2016

After being open for four months at the George Bush Presidental Library and Museum, The National Photography Parks Project closes. Total exhibition attendance was 41,788 visitors! The exhibition will be moving to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum - Walker Center next.

Photographer Mark Burns to join former National Park Service Directors and Buffalo National River Superintendent on Presidential Library Issues Forum Panel

February 26, 2016

Photographer Mark Burns to join former National Park Service Directors Fran P. Mainella and Robert G. Stanton, and Buffalo National River Superintendent Kevin Cheri on Presidential Library Issues Forum Panel 'National Parks Today and Tomorrow'. Tickets can be found here.

The National Parks Photography Project Opens at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

November 30, 2015

The National Parks Photography Project Opens at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum with Special Guest Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker Ken Burns. Read it here.

Houston Chronicle - New Photo Exhibit Celebrates 59 National Parks

November 27, 2015

The Houston Chronicle featured a story about the opening of photographer Mark Burns' The National Parks Photography Project. Read it here.

Photographer Mark Burns Presents Secretary of the Interior with Photograph

October 21, 2015

Mark Burns travels to Washington DC to present Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell with his photograph 'Topeka Glacier' that will hang in the Department of the Interior. "Having the opportunity to meet and spend some time visiting with Secretary Jewell was something really special for me. In my opinion, America could not have a better person overseeing our public lands" Mark Burns

America's National Park Service Celebrates its 99th Birthday

August 25, 2015

Happy Birthday to America's National Park Service. On August 25th, 1916, the National Park Service was created. Today the NPS oversees just over 400 national park sites.

For more information on the 99th birthday celebration, or to find your park, click here.

Houston Chronicle features story about The National Parks Photography Project

January 9, 2015

The Houston Chronicle featured a story about photographer Mark Burns and The National Parks Photography Project on page one of the US & World Section. Read it here.

Third Annual 'Limited Edition' Print Release Event - Mixed Emotions Fine Art Gallery

November 5, 2014

On Wednesday, November 5th Mixed Emotions Fine Art Gallery in Houston, Texas hosted the project's Third Annual 'Limited Edition' Print Release Event with American Photographer Mark Burns. The event featured a large selection of 45 'limited edition' photographic prints created during the production of The National Parks Photography Project from over 40 national parks.

Exhibition Dates Released for George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

September 25, 2014

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Executive Director Warren Finch has officially set the exhibition dates for The National Parks Photography Project. The exhibit will open on November 30, 2015, and close on March 21, 2016.

America's National Park Service Celebrates its 98th Birthday

August 25, 2014

Happy Birthday to America's National Park Service. On August 25th, 1916, the National Park Service was created. Today the NPS oversees just over 400 national park sites.

For more information on the 98th birthday celebration, or to find a park, click here.

Second Annual 'Limited Edition' Print Release Event - Mixed Emotions Fine Art Gallery

April 30, 2014

On Wednesday, April 30th Mixed Emotions Fine Art Gallery in Houston, Texas hosted the project's Second Annual 'Limited Edition' Print Release Event with American Photographer Mark Burns. The event featured a selection of 'limited edition' photographic prints created during the production of The National Parks Photography Project from over 25 national parks.

America's National Park Service Celebrates its 97th Birthday

August 25, 2013

Happy Birthday to America's National Park Service. On August 25th, 1916, the National Park Service was created. Today the NPS oversees nearly 400 national park sites.

For more information on the 97th birthday celebration, or to find a park, click here.

First Annual 'Limited Edition' Print Release Event - Off The Wall Gallery

March 21, 2013

On Thursday, March 21st Off The Wall Gallery in Houston's Galleria hosted American Photographer Mark Burns and the project's First Annual 'Limited Edition' Print Release Event. The event featured a selection of 'limited edition' photographic prints created during the production of The National Parks Photography Project from approximately 12 national parks.

America's National Park Service Celebrates its 96th Birthday

August 25, 2012

Happy Birthday to America's National Park Service. On August 25th, 1916, the National Park Service was created. Today the NPS oversees nearly 400 national park sites.

For more information on the 96th birthday celebration, or to find a park, click here.

Statement from Neil Mulholland

August 9, 2012

"Through the years, America’s national parks have been visited and enjoyed by millions. However, the parks were first created by just a few visionaries who recognized the undeniable value of protecting and preserving our country’s most spectacular places. The National Park Foundation is proud to collaborate with Mark Burns on ‘The National Parks Photography Project’ debuting at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Following in the tradition of park enthusiasts like Ansel Adams, Burns’ work will provide a new chapter of inspiring imagery of America’s extraordinary places – captivating audiences and inspiring new generations of park supporters."

Neil Mulholland

President & CEO
National Park Foundation

The National Parks Photography Project signs agreement with the National Park Foundation

March 12, 2012

The National Parks Photography Project signs an agreement with the National Park Foundation. The exhibit project will now be officially working in collaboration with the National Park Foundation and will include a new section in the exhibit devoted to the NPF. The National Park Foundation is the official (Chartered by Congress) charity for America's nearly 400 national parks.

Visit the National Park Foundation website.

Statement from President George Bush

January 16, 2012

"Coming on the heels of our friend Mark Burns' fantastic 'The Culture of Wine' exhibit, which our Library and Museum was proud to host, Barbara and I are now waiting with great anticipation for his forthcoming project marking the 100th anniversary of our National Park Service, 'The National Parks Photography Project'. Mark is a gifted photographer, and we applaud his efforts to capture this unique part of our Nation's history to help younger generations learn the vital importance of America's public spaces."

George H. W. Bush

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum to be the Exhibit's Inaugural Venue

December 6, 2011

Official letter received from the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, TX. Director Warren Finch confirms that the Bush Library will be the inaugural venue for The National Parks Photography Project. The exhibit is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2015.

Visit the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum website.

April 2011

With most preliminary work now completed, serious photography begins for 'The National

Parks Photography Project' in Yosemite national park. 





September 2009

A retrospective exhibition of selected prints on display at the George Bush Presidential

Library & Museum through August 2010. 





November 2008

CVN77 Portrait of President George and Barbara Bush. "On November 13th I had the

honor and privilege of photographing the Bushes for the portrait that will be displayed in the

aircraft carrier U.S.S. George H.W. Bush - CVN77". The final framed print is approximately

20" x 30" and will hang in the Captains Quarters for nearly 30 years.



Mark Burns





March 2007

"I am honored to have been chosen by Continental Airlines to judge their annual

employee photo contest for the second year in a row. In the past two years of

judging I have seen some wonderful photography, taken in locations all over the

world." 



Mark Burns