The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
One of the most important collections at the Museum of Northern Arizona is its friends—that’s why its annual fundraiser is a friendraiser.
Museum friends will gather at Photofeast, MNA’s 2004 Fall Cheerful Friendraiser at 6 p.m. Saturday, November 20 in the Museum’s Harvey W. Branigar Hall for an evening of fine food, a silent auction, a raffle, and fun stories of our region as told through the lenses of celebrated Colorado Plateau photographers Michael Collier, Dawn Kish, John Running, and Raechel Running.
Tickets are $100 for members and $135 for nonmembers, who get a MNA year membership with their purchase.
“Photofeast continues MNA’s tradition of featuring the enormously talented people who live and work on the Colorado Plateau,” says Roger Clark, MNA’s Assistant to the Director for Development. “We love connecting our community to its rich heritage of artists and scientists.”
The event also connects with its current exhibit, Arizona: A View From the Mountains, a display providing a statewide view of Arizona through photographs taken by Collier that are featured in the Arizona Highways book he recently published with author Rose Houk, The Mountains Know Arizona: Images of the Land and its People.
Most of all, Photofeast will help you connect as a friend to the Museum. Besides good company and food, your ticket gets you two complimentary drink tickets, an irresistible auction, and an opportunity to have your picture taken with Museum founders Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton and Harold S. Colton. Large cardboard figures of the Coltons, combined with black and white photography, will provide the illusion that you’ve been a Museum friend since its beginning in 1928.
Silent auction items include a chance to win four lawn seats at any 2005 event at Cricket Pavilion in Phoenix, an eight-week pottery class, numerous hotel and restaurant certificates, a daytour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim with author, geologist and MNA Trustee Wayne Ranney, a 90-minute private telescope viewing session at Lowell Observatory, Arizona Cardinals’ football signed by wide receiver Reggie Newhouse, a Navajo rug from Garland’s Navajo Rugs, a private airplane ride right over your home, and more.
To donate an item or to buy a ticket, please reply by November 15 to Liz Gumerman at
928/774-5211, ext. 219 or email photofeast@mna.mus.az.us. For an updated listing of auction items, visit www.musnaz.org.
Founded as a community effort by a group of Flagstaff citizens, the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) is a private, nonprofit institution that was originally established as a repository for Native American artifacts and natural history specimens from the Colorado Plateau. MNA’s mission is to inspire a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau through collecting, studying, interpreting, and preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Michael Collier is well known for his spectacular aerial photography of Arizona, his photo essays, and as a geologist, pilot, medical doctor, boatman, and author who has cast his eyes on the Southwest for several decades.
Dawn Kish was raised and is based in Flagstaff. Her passion for travel and adventure around the world now create the work she produces. Documentary photography is her favorite. Kish works for National Geographic Adventure and Sports Illustrated.
John Running has been making photographs in Flagstaff for 35 years. Give him 1/125th of a second and he will give you so much more. His photographs stand out with his personally creative and graphically strong style.
Raechel Running is a Flagstaff native who makes images that are more than just photographs. Internationally published and an arts educator, her portraiture combines a love of traditional photography and mixed media artwork, inspired by the light and spirit of the land and cultural legacies of the Southwest.
Sponsors of this event include Fred Nackard Wholesale Beverage Company, Julie and Patrick Nackard, Direct Impressions Business Services, Greg Reed and Julie Cramer, Botanica Creations, Northern Arizona Sign and Graphics, and an anonymous friend of the Museum.
The Museum is located three miles north of historic downtown Flagstaff on Highway 180 and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.