Choctaw Cultural Center Exhibitions Unspoiled Wilderness: Photographs from the Round Bottom RanchKo̱wi Haiaka Ikwehpowo (Unspoiled Wilderness: Photographs from the Round Bottom Ranch) – Gene Blackwell’s life and art is shaped by his deep connection to the land. Blackwell, a photographer from Haw Creek, Oklahoma, grew up surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Ouachita Mountains. Up the Creek Wildlife Photography captures the wilderness of Round Bottom Ranch, located near the Black Fork Creek on original Choctaw allotment land. Blackwell’s stunning wildlife and landscape images are a tribute to stewardship, tradition, and the unbroken spirit of this land. This collection offers a window into his home, his family’s legacy, and the vibrant natural heritage of the Choctaw Nation.About the ArtistGene Blackwell of Haw Creek, Oklahoma, has spent his life surrounded by the beauty of the Ouachita Mountains. Growing up, his family instilled in him a deep love for the land, teaching him to appreciate the trees, wildlife, and rare natural wonders of Southeast Oklahoma. That passion led him to start a family and a farm, where he remains a dedicated steward of nature.Wanting to preserve and share the beauty around him, Gene founded Up the Creek Wildlife Photography. For over 15 years, he has captured stunning images of wildlife and landscapes on his family’s Round Bottom Ranch along Blackfork Creek. His work offers a glimpse into the untouched wilderness of the Choctaw Nation, inviting others to experience nature as it truly is. Through his lens, Gene shares his home, his heritage, and the timeless story of the land.