Latest News
Benjamin Walls Gallery named "Best of Virginia 2018"
May 17, 2018
Benjamin Walls Gallery has been voted Best of Virginia 2018. The annual award is presented by Virginia Living Magazine as voted on by in their annual online poll. Peruse all the winners in this month's issue of Virginia Living, on newsstands now. Thank you for voting for Benjamin Walls Gallery!
Benjamin Becomes Youngest Recipient of Arts Achievement Award & Named Best of Virginia 2017
April 26, 2017
Bristol native Benjamin Walls was recognized by the Arts Alliance Mountain Empire (AAME) and A! Magazine for the Arts for his contributions to the arts in the Tri-Cities region. Walls’ is also a recipient of dual 2017 Best of Virginia Awards, presented by Virginia Living Magazine. Article below.
Benjamin's Solo Museum Exhibit Opens in Nashville TN
July 15, 2016
Named “One of the Top Ten Things to do in Nashville” by Nashville Lifestyles magazine, Benjamin expansive 6000 sq ft TN State Museum exhibit features 55 large-scale pieces. The exhibit is entitled “Through Appalachian Eyes” and is broken up into four exhibit halls; Appalachia, National, International, and Abstract work. The exhibit showcases how the techniques he developed in Appalachia have enabled him to create an international body of work that’s been broadly recognized and collected. The exhibit has been featured in a half dozen publications including the following article by Nashville Arts an is on display through October.
Benjamin Walls Gallery Exceeds $300,000 for Charity
July 01, 2016
Since opening its doors in late 2010, the Benjamin Walls Signature gallery has helped local charities raise over $300,000. The funds have been raised through events, auctions, donations, and endorsements by Benjamin and the gallery. The charities include The United Way of Bristol, Believe in Bristol, Healing Hands, Abuse Alternatives, Girls Inc, Susan G. Komen For the Cure, The Paramount Center for the Arts, Crossroads Medical Mission, Young Life, and many others.
"One of the central goals of my business is to make a positive impact on the communities that host my work – these involvements and contributions represent the beginning of my aspirations in that regard."
Benjamin Walls
Dolly Parton to Write the Foreword for Benjamin's New Book
March 12, 2016
BEYOND
by Benjamin Walls
Foreword by Dolly Parton
Twelve years of experience, three hundred thousand exposures, and a million miles of travel have gone into the making of Beyond. Walls’ work ethic, his focus, and his singular artistic vision have helped him become not only a cultural and artistic ambassador for our region, but also an effective advocate for the preservation of our natural heritage, both local and global. It all began when, in high school, Walls took a hike through The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That trip changed the trajectory of his life. Stunned by the exquisiteness of all that he saw, from the mountain views to the lushness of flora and fauna, Walls knew that he had to learn to translate these moments, this sense of wildness, for other people. Walls’ native region gives him inspiration and still feeds his creativity. It was—and still is—at the center of his passion for invoking wonder at our natural heritage. Beyond chronicles the career of this young but accomplished artist, who produces images that consistently push beyond boundaries, limitations, and expectations.
Third Smithsonian Exhibit for Bristol Native Benjamin Walls
July 01, 2014
A! Magazine for the Arts
Bristol native and fine art photographer Benjamin Walls will send two more works for display at the Smithsonian Institution. This time, his work has been selected for a September 2014 exhibit entitled "Wilderness Forever: 50 Years of Protecting America's Wild Places."
With this honor, Walls becomes the first fine art photographer to have images selected for international juried exhibits in all four of the cornerstone categories of his field: abstract, landscape, wildlife and black & white imagery....
Two Benjamin Walls Images Selected for Smithsonian Exhibit
April 01, 2014
Be among the first to view the two new Benjamin Walls images recently chosen for exhibit at The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The exhibit, entitled “Wilderness Forever”, is part of a nationwide celebration commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act – a landmark legislation that has preserved over 100 Million acres of land since its signing in 1964. Benjamin’s two successful images were among only 64 images chosen for display from more than 5,500 professional submissions. The exhibit opens Sept 3rd in DC, but you can see the newly awarded images now at the Benjamin Walls Gallery in historic downtown Bristol!
Benjamin's Kickstarter Project Finishes as 4th Most Funded
April 01, 2013
Thirty days after it began, Benjamin Walls’ Tiger Now, Tiger Never Campaign became the #4 most funded photography project since Kickstarter’s creation. At the time of completion the other top projects had origins in 1. NYC 2. Los Angeles 3. NYC 4. BRISTOL VA 5. NYC. Furthermore, “Tiger Now” posted as the #1 most funded photo project working with endangered species, with origins in a small town, and using fine art sales as the primary funding platform.
“ELEMENTS” Returns to the Natural History Museum of London
March 19, 2012
Benjamin Walls’ award winning image “Elements” will return to the Natural History Museum of London as part of the WILD PLANET tour. ”Elements” and WILD PLANET will be on display from March through September and is expected to be seen by a crowd of 6 million people, which will include the masses of tourist visiting for the Summer Olympic Games. ”Elements” was first selected for exhibition at the NHM London in 2006 (More details about the 2006 exhibit at the bottom of this page).
Benjamin’s Acclaimed Image “ELEMENTS” Featured in Bath, UK
March 10, 2011
Benjamin Walls’ award winning image “Elements” is on the next leg of the WILD PLANET tour. Next stop is Bath, UK where it will be featured from April 6th through September 2011 outside the Abby and Roman Baths. Walls and his image “Elements” will be recognized by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Sarah Bevan and company at a reception celebrating the opening of the exhibit on April 5th.
Benjamin Walls Gallery Raises $9,000.00 for Local Charities
January 05, 2011
The Benjamin Walls Gallery was officially open for less than two months last calendar year, yet raised nearly $9,000 for local charities. Crossroads Medical Mission, Young Life of Bristol, The Mike Marshall Family Benefit, and Believe in Bristol were some to the organizations that were supported via donations, auction items, or private events. Read the A! Magazine article by clicking here.
Wild Planet International Touring Exhibit Opens in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
September 03, 2010
Benjamin Walls’ award winning image “Elements” is on the second leg of the WILD PLANET tour. Next stop is Sheffield, South Yorkshire UK from October 6th through March 27th 2011.
Wild Planet Tour Kicks Off in Brighton, UK
March 16, 2010
Benjamin Walls was honored at a reception in Brighton UK and commended by the Mayor of Brighton and the staff of the Natural History Museum of London for his image “Elements” which is part of the international exhibit WILD PLANET. Walls was one of 80 photographers from dozens of countries that were honored at the event which kicks off the start of the WILD PLANET tour. Future locations will be announced soon. Check back for details.
Benjamin’s Photo Selected for International Exhibit – "WILD PLANET"
September 02, 2009
Benjamin’s image “ELEMENTS” was selected as one of the 80 best images to show at the Natural History Museum of London in the past 20 years! This incredible honor has earned him a spot in the WILD PLANET international touring exhibit, which is set to show in city centers in EUROPE and then around the globe from 2010 to 2015.
Benjamin's image "THE TWELVE" featured in Smithsonian's new Oceans Hall
March 07, 2008
Benjamin Walls image “The Twelve” has been selected to show in the flagship exhibit in the brand new OCEANS HALL at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. “The Twelve” depicts the eroded cliffs of Victoria Australia and the role the ocean plays in sculpting our landscape.
Benjamin Walls Selected as Smithsonian Exhibitor
September 24, 2007
Benjamin Walls image “Watching the Sunrise” has been selected to show at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Walls will be honored at a reception and unveiling at the Smithsonian next month. Inclusion in this exhibit is one of the top honors in the nature photography industry.
Benjamin Walls’ Abstract Image “ELEMENTS” on Display in London
October 27, 2006
Benjamin Walls image “Elements” has been selected to show at the Natural History Museum of London. Walls will be honored at a reception in central London at the end of the month with a tour of the new exhibit to follow. The image will also be published in BBC Wildlife magazine and the coffee table book PORTFOLIO 16. The image was chosen as one of 70 images for display from more than 30,000 other photographs from 80 countries. Showing at this annual exhibit is considered a career crowning achievement by many in the industry.