People worldwide recognize the iconic image of the Grand Canyon, greatly due to the visual interpretation of a small group of adventurous photographers. The Museum of Northern Arizona’s new exhibit Lasting Light: The Photography of Grand Canyon is a celebration of the best photographic images of this mysterious and ever-changing landscape, by a select group of fine art photographers. Additionally, raptors from MNA’s Natural History Collections soar above the gallery, representing the many raptors species that make their home in and around, or migrate through, the deep canyon. The exhibit opens Saturday, February 3 through Sunday, June 17.
While the average traveler might only spend a short time at the rim of the canyon, professional Grand Canyon photographers commit to hiking through rugged backcountry, carrying enormous packs of equipment, and spending hours or sometimes days waiting for a fleeting moment of magical light to capture the perfect image. Landscape photographers typically spend from six to nine months of each year in the field, usually alone and at great expense.
This exhibit showcases the work of 26 photographers and is sponsored by the Grand Canyon Association, Hance Partners, and Grand Canyon National Park. The 60 images were chosen by six nationally-recognized jurors from within the photography world.
In this exhibit, MNA co-curators Alan Petersen, Guest Curator of Fine Art, and Dr. Larry Stevens, Curator of Biology and Ecology, have integrated the art of photography and the science of natural history in order to deepen understanding of the canyon’s unique and fragile habitat and raise consciousness of its biological diversity. The hawk, eagle, condor, and owl specimens on display have been salvaged after accidents with lead shot, electric wires, or collisions with moving vehicles.
“MNA is pleased to be joining with the Grand Canyon Association for this extraordinary presentation of photographic images from Grand Canyon National Park,” MNA Director Robert Breunig said. “We are also excited about adding the biological interpretation on the raptors of the Grand Canyon: once again, MNA is emphasizing the convergence of science and art, in this case photography and biology.”
Alan Petersen says, “We like to think of a photograph as visual truth—an objective source. But like all artistic mediums, the artist uses a great deal of manipulation in the creation of an image. Technical and artistic decisions are made in the equipment used, the composition of the image, and the processing of the image. And there are “happy accidents” that can occur during all phases of the creative process. Lasting Light is a celebration of the wonder of the Grand Canyon and the many ways these 26 photographers use their medium to share their vision and interpretation.”
Lawrence E. Stevens adds, “A geographic formation called the East Kaibab Monocline uplifts the North Rim of the Grand Canyon 1,000 feet above the elevation of the South Rim, turning an already spectacular chasm into a world wonder and inspiring the artistic achievements in this exhibit. Raptors follow the monocline across the broad chasm during their autumn migration south. On a clear September day at Lipan Point near Desert View Watchtower, it is not unusual to see numerous raptor species, spiraling upward on the canyon’s thermals. Every 30–45 seconds another bird reaches the South Rim and continues its migration towards the San Francisco Peaks.”
This exhibit was conceived and nurtured by Richard Jackson of Hance Partners, Inc., a professional photography lab in Flagstaff. The jury of photography professional was:
- Andrew Wallace from the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson
- Christopher Burkett, a nationally-known landscape photographer
- John Altbert, retired vice president of Eastman Kodak Professional Photography Division
- Peter Ensenberger, Director of Photography for Arizona Highways magazine
- Annie Griffiths-Belt from National Geographic Magazine and
- Terry Etherton, owner of a fine art photography gallery in Tucson.
Photographers whose images are in the Lasting Light exhibit are:
- Tom Bean
- Sue Bennett
- John Blaustein
- Dugald Bremmer
- Tom Brownold
- Mike Buchheit
- Michael Collier
- James Cowlin
- Sherry Curtis and Alfredo Conde
- Dick Dietrich
- Jack Dykinga
- Dave Edwards
- Geoff Gourley
- George H. H. Huey
- Liz Hymans
- Jerry Jacka
- Gary Ladd
- Larry Lindahl
- Robert McDonald
- Randy Prentice
- John Running
- Raechel Running
- Kate Thompson
- Tom Till
- Stephen Trimble
- Larry Ulrich
To accompany the exhibit, Northland Publishing recently published Lasting Light: 125 Years of Grand Canyon Photography by Stephen Trimble. The book presents every photograph featured in the exhibit, plus dozens of additional contemporary and historic images and essays from the photographers. BookPage Magazine said, “This collection is a superlative explication of America’s very own world wonder.” Some of the exhibit text is excerpted from the book, which will be available for purchase at the Museum throughout the exhibit.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is one of the great regional museums of our world, surrounded by tremendous geological, biological, and cultural resources in one of Earth’s most spectacular landscapes. With a long and illustrious history, MNA evokes the very spirit of the Colorado Plateau, including the Grand Canyon and Four Corners regions, inspiring a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the area.
MNA is located three miles north of historic downtown Flagstaff on Highway 180. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors (65+), $3 students, $2 children (7–17), and it is always free to members.
Lasting Light Programs Included with Museum Admission
All-Age Youth Programs
Saturday, February 17, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.
High Country Raptors Live Presentation and Overflight
High Country Raptors is a nonprofit organization that promotes raptor conservation though rehabilitation and education. Volunteers will present live birds and will discuss topics such as the annual migration of Grand Canyon raptors, raptor adaptations, and raptor conservation issues. An overflight will be included with this presentation.
Saturday, March 17, 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
Raptors of the Grand Canyon
Join MNA’s Youth Program Coordinator and community educators to learn about raptors of the Grand Canyon. Learn about our winged friends and how they have adapted to their environment though an interactive exploration of the Lasting Light exhibit and a fun craft activity.
Lectures
Saturday, April 28, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
The 30-Year Photographic Journey of a Grand Canyon River Guide
by David Edwards
A freelance photographer for 25 years, Edwards has also led Grand Canyon river trips for the past three decades. His current documentary projects range from the indigenous culture of the Tibetan region to the endangered condors of Arizona’s Vermilion Cliffs. He continues to teach and lecture on photography, Mongolia, and the Grand Canyon.
Saturday, May 19, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Gary Ladd’s Grand Canyon
by Gary Ladd
Ladd is an award-winning, large format, wilderness photographer of the Grand Canyon’s interior, the pristine sandstone landscapes surrounding Lake Powell, and the slickrock terrain of Arizona and Utah. His work has appeared in over 60 issues of Arizona Highways and in numerous other publications.
Saturday, June 9, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Grand Canyon: The Ever-Changing Light
by Peter Ensenberger
Ensenberger has been Arizona Highways’ director of photography for the past 23 years. He oversees the magazine’s photography department, the production of all published products, and arizonahighways.com. He also works freelance in all formats, producing landscape, wildlife, portrait, and product photography.
Gallery Tours
Saturday, May 5, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Understanding Light
by Sherry Curtis and Alfredo Conde
From Texas to Asia, to Central America, to the Grand Canyon, Curtis and Conde “stalk the light.”
They try to photograph images that carry that feeling, that emotion, that spirit of the magnificent and instantaneous, hoping to share their vision with a world that is bombarded with imagery of anxiety and pain.