The California Nature Art Museum (CalNAM) is pleased to announce the opening of its latest exhibition Untamed Desert ~ Captured by Paulette Donnellon. The show will be on view from July 26, 2026 to January 18, 2027 in the museum’s Valley Oak Gallery.
Vast, rugged, and full of life, Untamed Desert is a photographic tribute to the extraordinary beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. From the powerful, sure-footed climb of a desert bighorn sheep along rugged ridgelines to the alert, wide-eyed stance of a burrowing owl guarding its sandy doorway, each image reflects Donnellon’s deep reverence for this arid landscape. More than a visual journey, this exhibition is a celebration of the park’s wild spirit and a reminder that even in the harshest environments, beauty endures.
“Paulette Donnellon’s photographs have the power to connect people with a place they may never have experienced before – reminding us of the rich biodiversity and beauty within the fragile desert ecosystem,” said CalNAM Executive Director Jessica Tade. “My hope is that these images will encourage visitors to see the desert landscape as an extraordinary place full of life and inspiration.”
As a nature and wildlife photographer, Paulette Donnellon is drawn to the quiet intensity of desert life and the hidden stories etched across the land. Her work centers around the Anza-Borrego Desert and surrounding regions, where she seeks to capture the textures, tones, and resilient wildlife that make these environments extraordinary.
Donnellon’s images are born from patience and presence. She spends countless hours in the field, allowing the land and its inhabitants to reveal themselves on their terms. Each photograph is an invitation to look more closely, to find connection in the details, and to honor the life that flourishes in even the harshest environments. Her work encourages a heightened awareness of the fragile desert environment and motivates renewed stewardship of the wild places that continue to thrive.
“The desert has always held a special place in my heart,” said Donnellon. “In my work as a nature and wildlife photographer, I’ve learned that if you slow down, really look, and connect with your surroundings, you will discover a vibrant world full of stories ready to be told.”
About Photographer Paulette Donnellon:
Paulette Donnellon is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer based in Southern California, known for capturing the hidden beauty of desert ecosystems, from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the Salton Sea. Her work has earned top honors including Grand Prize in the National Park Foundation’s “Share the Experience” contest; Best in Show at the 2024 San Diego County Fair for her black-tailed jackrabbit image; California Wildlife Photo of the Year 2023; and Wildlife winner in the 2023 U.S. State Parks Photography Competition. Donnellon leads photography workshops through the Anza-Borrego Foundation, teaching ethical techniques for capturing desert landscapes and wildlife.
A U.S. Army Desert Storm veteran, Donnellon also served eight years on the San Diego County Board of Education. She now works with LEGO® Education, promoting playful STEAM learning, and sits on the Anza-Borrego Foundation board. In 2024, she was named a Girl Scouts San Diego “Cool Women” finalist for her community impact.
Learn more about Paulette Donnellon at:
Instagram: @photogpaulette
Website: paulettedonnellon.com
Facebook: facebook.com/paulette.donnellon
