Positive experience

WASILLA — If a single picture is worth 1,000 words, what story is told by the 67 award-winning photographs on display at the Dorothy Page Museum?

“The Best of Alaska Positive: 35 Years of Award-Winning Photographs” is more than an exhibit of striking and thought-provoking photography. The display of the first- through third-place winners since the contest’s inception in 1971 covers the walls of two rooms at the museum and are unique because all the art is produced by Alaska photographers.

“The photos are from everywhere, but the photographerss are all from Alaska,” said Bethany Buckingham, curator of the museum. “I know that of the more recent photos, some have been from Tibet, this one’s from Chicago. It depends on where the photographers went. But they have to be Alaskan.”

Displayed in chronological order, a close-up face shot of an American Bald Eagle stands out as patrons walk through the door. The subject matter, however, is varied and diverse. Along with traditional images of Native Alaska life are poignant black-and-whites of individuals and breathtaking wildlife photography. Some of the more recent winners also include digital alteration and enhancements.

“Anything can be artistic and anything can be a photo,” Buckingham said, adding that Valley school children have been blown away by the images. “They really like the animal ones and they kind of laugh at the photos of people kissing. They think that’s funny.”

While all of the Alaska Positive winners are included in the exhibit, several that depict nude or adult themes are covered.

“No, we do not censor here,” Buckingham said, adding that because so many students come through the museum, covering them seemed appropriate. So far, about 200 local schoolchildren have seen the exhibit, with eight more tours scheduled during the show’s May run.

Along with viewing the photography, patrons can also vote in a local “People’s Choice” contest, with the winner to be announced Saturday during the museum’s annual Mother’s Day Tea reception from 2 to 4 p.m. The reception is free to attend.

So far, the voting has been interesting, Buckingham said.

“It’s too hard for me to pick a favorite,” she said. “But the walrus has been one people are picking. … The really amazing ones are of the Native culture, then there are some crazy ones you have to look at for awhile and appreciate them for what they are.”

“Spirit Rising” is a stark image of a dead walrus on a beach taken by Dillingham photographer Perry Adkinson.

Aside from an interesting way to pass the time, photography is essential for preserving local history, Buckingham said.

“It’s a wonderful tool to preserve history because it gives you a look at, at that specific moment, what is happening,” she said. “A lot of our historic photographs … show what the old downtown Wasilla looked like. What this exhibit does is it kind of shows the evolution of photography from just a snapshot of a moment to an artistic art form. It shows what you can do with a camera and a little creativity.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

IF YOU GO

There are several exhibits planned for this summer at the Dorothy Page Museum, 323 N. Main St., Wasilla. Contact the museum for more information on any of these exhibits at 373-9071 or visit cityofwasilla.com/museum.

• The Best of Alaska Positive: 35 Years of Award-Winning Photography: Now through May 29; Mother’s Day Tea Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.

• Cartoonist Lee Post: June 4-26, reception June 12 from 2 to 4 p.m.

• Farmer’s Market: June 2 through Sept. 15, every Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace: July 2 through Aug. 14, reception July 10 from 2 to 4 p.m.