Untamed Desert: Captured by Paulette Donnellon
Untamed Desert: Captured by Paulette Donnellon
July 26, 2026 - January 18, 2027
Paulette Donnellon, Desert Majesty, 2024.
Paulette Donnellon, Crown of Thorns, 2026.
The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to announce its 2026 summer exhibition, Untamed Desert: Captured by Paulette Donnellon, on view from July 26th, 2026 - January 18th, 2027.
Vast, rugged, and full of life, Untamed Desert is a photographic tribute to the extraordinary beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Through her lens, Donnellon reveals the hidden stories of the animals that roam these arid landscapes.
Paulette Donnellon, The Topknot Life, 2025.
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 Paulette’s deep reverence for Anza-Borrego, a place she returns to time and again to witness nature’s rhythms. Her work invites viewers to slow down and look closer at the textures in the sand, the shadows in the canyon, and the surprising abundance of life that thrives beneath the desert sun.
This exhibition is more than a visual journey; it’s a celebration of the park’s wild spirit and a reminder that even in the harshest environments, beauty endures.
About the Artist
Paulette Donnellon, 2024.
Paulette Donnellon is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer based in Southern California. She is 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 (featured on the 2024 National Park Pass)
Best in Show at the 2024 San Diego County Fair for her black-tailed jackrabbit image
California Wildlife Photo of the Year 2023 for a burrowing owl portrait
Wildlife winner in the 2023 U.S. State Parks Photography Competition
A U.S. Army Desert Storm veteran, Paulette also served eight years on the San Diego County Board of Education. In 2024, she was named a Girl Scouts San Diego “Cool Women” finalist for her community impact. She now works with LEGO® Education to promote playful STEAM learning, sits on the Anza-Borrego Foundation board, and leads photography workshops through the Anza-Borrego Foundation, teaching ethical techniques for capturing desert landscapes and wildlife.
Instagram: @photogpaulette
Website: paulettedonnellon.com
Facebook: facebook.com/paulette.donnellon