That Tree photography exhibit by Mark Hirsch at Weyland Art Gallery
Apr 17, 2026
The Weyland Art Gallery at Divine Word College is featuring “That Tree,” an iPhone photography exhibit by Platteville photojournalist Mark Hirsch, on view from April 24 through June 30. A free public opening reception will be held Friday, April 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. as part of the college’s Arbor Day celebration.
The collection highlights the former Telegraph Herald photo editor’s 365 photo project documenting a year in the life of a 160-year-old bur oak tree near his rural Wisconsin home. “That Tree” was featured by CBS
News, NBC News, the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Daily Mail (UK), Woodlands & Prairies Magazine, the Sierra Club and others. It also became a full-color, hardcover book still cherished by many today.
Hirsch, who wasn’t seeking fame, set out on a personal project to rediscover his love of photography after losing his dream job and being severely injured in a car accident. Hirsch remembers the far-reaching interest and impact of this project as an unexpected and emotional experience.
The daily practice of stopping by the corn field and connecting with the tree that he’d driven past for years called his attention to the ever-present beauty and helped him realize the photographic potential of his new smartphone camera. Hirsch learned to see in a new way over the course of 2013, and now he invites you to do the same through his stunning sunrises, sunsets, insects, plants and most importantly the lone tree that became his friend and healing companion.
DWC professor of communication and writing Dr. Ann Lundberg began using “That Tree" years ago in college writing classes to explain the concept of thesis. “A thesis is a different way of looking at a topic, a perspective. So in Hirsch's project, he offers 365 ‘theses’ on one tree! Because I teach writing as ‘eco-composition,’ using environmental issues as topics for developing arguments, his work fits especially well with the course theme, and it engages students in multimodal thinking and learning through the use of beautiful, thought-provoking images. I'm thrilled he's bringing his work to campus!” she explained.
Hirsch is excited the exhibit opening coincides with Arbor Day, the annual observance dedicated to planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees. “To this day, I miss That Tree, my dear bur oak friend, in a way similar to the heartfelt loss of a loved one or a family member. I have a seedling of That Tree that I collected beneath her branches before she died. It’s growing strong in my backyard. Last fall, I collected her acorns and in honor of That Tree and Arbor Day, I will have some acorns for planting to share at the opening,” he said.
The Weyland Art Gallery is open Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with additional hours by appointment. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
To watch a CBS News video about Hirsch's work on YouTube, click HERE.
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