Lightner Local—Matt Keene: Echoes of the Wild

The Lightner Museum presents Matt Keene: Echoes of the Wild, a special photography exhibition and Lightner Local exhibit available from October 3, 2025, through January 18, 2026. 

Matt Keene is a photographer, adventurer, and tintype artist in St. Augustine, who is as passionate about Florida's environment as he is about creating tintypes that capture his subjects. In this exhibition, Echoes of the Wild, Matt uses a historical photographic process to preserve images of Florida's diminishing wildlands and native animals. He hopes that those who view his work are reminded of the beauty and fragility of Florida's natural areas. 

Matt uses wet plate collodion photography, a process from the 19th century, to create haunting images of areas and wildlife that are now under threat from development, climate change, and pollution. His use of a portable darkroom and the wet plate process to create singular images, each with imperfections, is a unique way to portray the vulnerability of our environment. He hopes that those who view his work are reminded of the beauty and fragility of Florida's natural areas. 

The cover photo is a section of Keene's work, Davenport Landing on the Ocklawaha River, Florida. The work is on aluminum and was completed in 2023.

Matt is a filmmaker, journalist, photographer, and adventurer. He is the first person to paddle Florida's 1,515-mile Circumnavigational Trail, which begins in Pensacola and ends at the Florida/Georgia border in Northeast Florida.

Admission: $19.00 for adults, $16.00 for seniors, military, and students.

When: The opening reception is on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit continues through January 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: The Lightner Museum, 75 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

The museum is generally open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are closed on New Year's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas