There’s something about the Great Plains sky that stops you in your tracks, the way storm clouds roll in, the crack of lightning, the colors that stretch across the horizon. Now, that breathtaking beauty and raw power are on full display in downtown Cordell.
The “Beauty and the Tempest” photography exhibit, located at 114 Main Street, opened April 1 and will run through May 31. The show invites visitors to experience the drama, intensity, and awe of storms through the eyes of photographers who have spent years chasing and capturing them.
This unique gallery features artists from across the country, and even around the world, each with their own story of how they were drawn to the skies. For some, the fascination began early. Susan Lord Bovey recalls running outside as a child to feel the wind and watch thunderstorms roll in. After discovering storm chasing later in life, she found herself hooked, returning year after year to witness and photograph the power of nature.
Others have spent decades studying and pursuing storms. Brian A. Morganti’s interest was sparked at just five years old during a powerful hurricane. That early curiosity turned into a lifelong passion, leading him to the Great Plains, where he continues to document massive supercell storms and ever-changing skies.
Lauren Baca, a New Mexico- based photographer, brings a fine art perspective to storm chasing. Raised in Tornado Alley, her work blends technical skill with emotion, creating bold, hyper- realistic images that have earned recognition worldwide.
The exhibit also includes work from Martin Lisius, a filmmaker and founder of a weather footage company, whose career began with a childhood fascination that grew into a lifelong pursuit of understanding and documenting severe weather.
Each artist offers a different lens, some focus on lightning, others on the sweeping structure of storms, and some on the landscapes beneath them. Jeff Evans describes the experience as both thrilling and emotional, ranging from fear to awe, and also highlights the beauty of small towns and wide-open spaces along the way.
For Sara Bruce, storm chasing is about passion and accessibility. What started with a cellphone has turned into more than 15 years of chasing storms, all while balancing family life. Her message is simple: prioritize safety, embrace the elements, and don’t be afraid to start.
Local visitors will also see perspectives from photographers like Robert Reynolds, a firefighter with a passion for weather and astrophotography, and Skeeter Arnold, who is drawn to the fleeting, intricate beauty of lightning itself.
From lifelong meteorologists to self-taught photographers, the exhibit showcases a shared appreciation for the incredible, unpredictable beauty of the natural world.
“Beauty and the Tempest” is more than just a collection of photographs. It’s a reminder of the power that exists above us every day, especially here in the Great Plains, where the sky often puts on a show like nowhere else.
The exhibit is open to the public now through May 31 at 114 Main Street in Cordell. Whether you’re a weather enthusiast, photography lover, or simply curious, it’s a display that promises to leave a lasting impression.