Museum features beloved photographer’s work

January 4, 2011

Marmian Grimes

[/caption]Theresa Bakker
907-474-6941
1/4/11

Barry McWayne was an artist who worked tirelessly to promote the work of others. When he died in the summer of 2010, just a few years after retiring from his position as fine art curator at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, he left behind a treasure trove of photographs. Some of those photos are now featured in the museum’s Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery.

“Barry McWayne photographed many things during the 42 years he lived in Fairbanks, but a favorite subject was the Alaska landscape in black-and-white,” said Charles Mason, University of Alaska Fairbanks journalism professor and a consultant to the museum.

Many of the photographs in the museum installation reflect that passion. Whether McWayne used large format film and darkroom prints or digital cameras and ink jet printing, Mason said he always employed the best possible techniques. “Barry sought to depict the beauty of Alaska in his work. He looked for the grand view and the simple, elegant detail.”

McWayne spent 37 years at the museum, first making photographs for the institution’s research collections, exhibitions and publications, then originating and curating the permanent collection of fine art photography. For the final 15 years of his tenure, he served as curator for the entire fine art collection. His artistic production only increased after retiring in 2007.

“Barry simply loved being out there, looking for and realizing his wonderful vision of our great state,” said Mason.

The photographs, located in the “Art as Process” section of the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery, will remain on display for the rest of the year.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Charles Mason, UAF journalism professor, 907-474-6217, cwmason@alaska.edu.

ON THE WEB: museum.uaf.edu

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