An exhibit of nature photographs taken by amateur photographers will be displayed today through Jan. 20 at Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, 2001 N. Ewing St., Seymour.

That exhibition of nearly 40 photos sends a clear message, according to one organizer.

“In Indiana, you don’t have to travel far to find natural beauty,” said Liz Brownlee, executive director of Oak Heritage Conservancy, one of the nonprofit organizations that sponsored the photo contest.

Amateur photographers took the photos in natural areas that are open for the public to enjoy, including state parks, wildlife refuges, and nature preserves, and on family farms, Brownlee said.

The exhibit will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The exhibit will finish up with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 20, when a winner will be selected.

Brownlee said amateur photographers originally submitted more than 265 photos for the nature photo contest.

“Our judges narrowed it down to about 40 photos, but we need people to chime in and tell us which photo deserves to win the grand prize,” she said.

The final entries include a photo that shows the view through a young person’s eyes at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge taken by Stevie Combs of Seymour and a photo of Brush Creek Lake taken by Robert Yeager of North Vernon.

The public is invited to vote for a winner between now and March 30. Everyone can vote once. Last year, almost 500 people voted for the grand prize winner.

To vote, visit oakheritageconservancy.org/get-involved/photoexhibit or visit the exhibit in person at the arts center.