It was back in 1977 and I had just moved to Skagway, Alaska to work with the community teaching theatre arts and become the community arts liaison with greater Alaska. Remember this was long before the internet, so you see, Skagway, like so many towns in Alaska, was isolated not only by distance, but by limited road infrastructure and weather. It took time and effort to stay connected somewhat with world. For the town, I was supposed to be that connection. With CETA funds allocated by the Feds to the States, Alaska had chosen to use its share to help with the art education in all the small outlying that were just too small to support art education on a consistent basis in their schools or communities. So, there I was, for one year, the art educator/connection for Skagway.
With my still shiny new Theater degree, I was able to pay for able pay for room and board with Alice and Paul Cyr, a couple whose energies moved and shook the Alaska they so loved. They provided a home away from home and a lifelong friendship I cherish to this day. And from the very first day that I landed in Skagway, (small plane ride from Juneau, don't you know) I was embraced in the friendly and 'can do' attitude that Alaskans have. You see, the school there encompassed grades K thru 12 and many of its teachers were young and wanting to experience Alaska the way I did. One such teacher was Mark Barry Hill who was truly a renaissance man. Smart, curious, and thoughtful, Mark often entertained us is his tiny cabin where I first saw his artistic talent and was mesmerized by one of his paintings. From the moment I first saw it, I knew I wanted it. No, make that, I HAD TO HAVE IT. Of course, the little thing of having little money did not stop me as I knew, somehow, someway I would pay for it even though it would take a bit of time. It did take some months of small payments, but I had my very first piece of fine art!
And now, forty plus years later, when I look at this painting hanging in my dining area, I can still palpably feel the same feelings I felt the first time I saw it in Mark's little cabin. The wonder and awe of its perfection takes me an inner journey to that treasured time in Skagway. Take what you will from this little insight, but I hope it reminds you of your experience when you acquired your early art pieces. Or, if you've yet to make the plunge in buying art you love, that you might be comforted to know that when you do, the love stays with you for a very, very long time.
