“The Emerald Mile” by Kevin Fedarko

Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) at Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam.

In the depths of the Canyon lies a hidden stretch of the Colorado River known only by river guides. In 1983, the largest flood of the River in a quarter century forced engineers to throw open every valve and penstock inside Glen Canyon Dam, upriver from Grand Canyon, releasing a flood down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon at 100,000 CFS. Meanwhile, river guides Kenton Grua, Rudi Petschek, and Steve “Wren” Reynolds made the bold—some would say insane—decision to take advantage of the rapids in an effort to nail the all-time record for the fastest boat ever propelled down the entire length of the Colorado River in the Canyon. They boarded their dory, The Emerald Mile, and disappeared into the canyon. They carried with them a car battery, a spotlight, and the bold notion that if they rowed night and day without stopping, without capsizing, and without smashing to pieces on the rocks, the crest of this monster flood might act as a kind of hydraulic sling-shot, hurling them through 277 miles of impossibly violent whitewater—and into history. They didn’t know that less than twelve hours before their departure, an enormous motorized raft had been torn to pieces. They didn’t know that the Park Service had staged the largest helicopter operation in the park’s history to pluck the injured and the dead from the bottom of the Canyon. And they had no idea that a ranger had been stationed at the head of that rapid to stand watch and order anyone on the river to pull over. In short, they didn’t have the faintest idea that the venture upon which they had embarked bordered on the suicidal. And if they had known?

They probably would have gone anyway.

A true story of beauty, obsession, and speed in the watery world at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Kevin Fedarko lives in northern New Mexico and works as a part-time river guide in Grand Canyon National Park. In addition to his travel narratives in Outside, where he worked as Senior Editor, Fedarko’s work has appeared in Esquire, National Geographic Adventure, and other publications, and has been anthologized in The Best American Travel Writing in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Fedarko was a staff writer at Time Magazine from 1991-1998, where his work helped garner an Overseas Press Club Award. Fedarko earned a Masters of Philosophy in Russian history at Oxford in 1990.

Admission is free. The Glen Canyon Lecture Series is sponsored by Glen Canyon Natural History Association, Powell Museum, and Page Public Library.

Exhibit Opening Reception Friday June 7th 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Powell Museum – 6 N. Lake Powell Blvd.

Georgia Johnson is a self-taught artist. Her works have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the Southwest, including the John Wesley Powell Museum located on the shores of beautiful Lake Powell in Page, Arizona. Georgia has also participated in a number of public art events along with many noted artists.  Originally from Fullerton, California, and now retired, Georgia makes her home in both St. George, Utah, and Greenehaven, Arizona enjoying, as she says, the ‘best of both worlds’.

For thirty some years, Georgia worked as a hair stylist and salon owner.  Now, surrounded by the natural beauty and splendor of the Colorado Plateau and Southern Utah, she has time to pursue her passion for painting. As an artist, Georgia creates art works for private collections as well as commercial enterprises. She enjoys painting creative, non-traditional portraiture in a variety of styles ranging from whimsical to classic. It is her belief that a good artist needs to be well-rounded.

Georgia and her husband, Rick, love to explore the back roads of the Southwest. Hiking, camping and boating provide inspiration for the magnificent colors that Georgia puts on canvas. As an active member of the Lake Powell Art Association, as well as the Visual Arts Association of St. George, Utah, Georgia donates her talent and free time to improve the work of others, both new and seasoned.

Join us Friday June 7th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Powell Museum for an exhibit opening reception. The event is FREE to the public, and refreshments will be served!

“Aldo Leopold and the Grand Canyon” by Bryan Bates

Thursday, May 16, 2013, 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) at Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam.

Aldo Leopold is perhaps America’s most influential naturalist. Born in Illinois and educated at Yale’s School of Forestry, he arrived in Holbrook, Arizona, in 1909 and proceeded on horseback to New Mexico, where he began his U.S. Forest Service career. There, he recognized the need for soil conservation and for helping the American public understand that nature is a community of interlinked components. Leopold would later convert his life experiences in the Southwest and elsewhere into his immortal book A Sand County Almanac.

Bryan Bates was fortunate to have parents who enjoyed the outdoors and would take him (and family) camping during the summers. He became involved in a Boy Scout troop that went camping each month, even during the winter. Bryan was often on those winter campouts where he learned there is no cold that friendship cannot warm. During his college summers, Bryan worked as a backpacking, fishing, and general naturalist camp counselor near Crested Butte, Colorado for nine summers. In the small library at Skyland Camp was a beat up book titled, Sand County Almanac, by a fellow named Aldo. Little did Bryan recognize at the time how significant this book would become in his life as it introduced him to a different way of thinking about the natural world, one that deepened his boyhood camping experience.

Leopold’s, and other naturalist’s writings, later led Bates to guiding for such organizations as the Grand Canyon Association, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institute, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Bryan continued his interest in nature through his study of aquatic ecosystems, and earned his Master’s degree in Environmental Science from University of Illinois, Springfield. While teaching at Rough Rock Schools on the Navajo Reservation, he followed up on his earlier love of chemistry during summers at NAU, and then committed to a more in-depth study of acid rain chemistry. Bryan has taught science at numerous different high schools from a private academy in Idaho to starting the high school program for at-risk Native students at Leupp. Out of his work with Native kids he developed an interest in science within native cultures and archaeoastronomy. Currently, Bryan teaches numerous sciences at Coconino Community College, and has served on the Board of the Flagstaff Festival of Science for the past 15+ years.

Admission is free. The Glen Canyon Lecture Series is sponsored by Glen Canyon Natural History Association, Powell Museum, and Page Public Library.

Franklin was born and raised in Longview, Texas. From the early age of his youth he was always drawn to art.  In sixth grade, Franklin visited the Longview Museum of Art and was amazed at how people used drawings and paintings to reflect the world around them.  During a visit to the museum, he was allowed to assist in the taking down of a show and installation of a new exhibit.  Touching the frames of paintings and drawings pointed Franklin to a dream that has encompassed his entire life.  From that point forward Franklin had to be an artist.

Franklin set high academic goals.  In 1982 he was awarded the L’louise Graham Art Scholarship via the Kilgore College Art Symposium, in 1985 the Ben F. Vaughan Memorial Scholarship at Corpus Christi State University (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Texas) and in 1987 the Michigan Merit Fellowship at the University of Michigan. Franklin’s college years culminated with a 1989 Fulbright Grant to Germany.  His time in school was a period of enlightenment, motivation, and a time to question, debate, and analyze creative expression.

Franklin has received several awards to pursue his art including the Anne Giles Kimbrough Award from the Dallas Museum of Art, an artist grant from the Michigan Council of the Arts, Organized Research grants and Faculty Development grants from Northern Arizona University and the Carroll Harris Sims Purchase Award from the African-American Museum in Dallas, Texas.

Franklin’s art has always been centered on human emotions and self reflection.  During his early years in east Texas, Franklin’s art consisted of drawing and rendering.  During his time in South Texas, Franklin’s work expanded to printmaking and oil painting.  By the time he arrived to Michigan and produced artwork abroad, Franklin was totally focused on the human figure as a form of abstraction.

Today, Franklin’s art is a comprised of still-life’s and landscapes.  His most recent paintings are oil on canvas depicting snapshots of the persona of life. Franklin’s art is in several permanent collections.  In the past four years the most recent collectors include The African American Museum of Art in Dallas,Texas, the Tyler Museum of Art in Tyler, Texas, The City of Phoenix/Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona, and Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Franklin is a tenured professor at Northern Arizona University and lives with his wife Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta and their son Demitrius Michael in Flagstaff, Arizona near the Grand Canyon. Franklin’s artwork will be on display at the Powell Museum through the month of May, 2013.

www.franklinwillis.com

EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION 

Friday April 19th 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. (MST)

6 N. Lake Powell Blvd. Page, Arizona

A new exhibit celebrating the artistic development, diversity of textiles, and industrious nature of the Navajo weavers at Dinnébito Trading Post from the 1960s through the 1990s will open at the Powell Museum on Friday April 19, 2013. The exhibit highlights the remarkable transition from striped saddle blankets to intricately woven designs from the Elijah Blair Family collection.

The weavers who lived and traded near Dinnébito, Arizona, were incredibly adaptive. Their work reflects the changing needs and demands of the market over time. The industrious and innovative nature of the weavers, as well as encouragement from Elijah Blair and Dinnébito Trading Post staff, led to the progression of designs and styles.  Unlike many well-known weaving communities which developed a single style such as Ganado and Two Grey Hills, the Dinnébito weavers skillfully weaved a variety of styles using the same traditional techniques and processes to create spectacular, award-winning textiles.

Navajo weaving now and throughout history has been perhaps the most valued and sought after textile product of the American Southwest. The aesthetic beauty, unique stylistic changes, and sensible use of Navajo woven textiles combine to make them magnificent pieces of functional art. In many ways, weaving reflects the adaptation, survival, and transformation of a people. Weavers Sadie Cardy, Rose Dan Begay, Eunice Manson, Etta Woody, Lena Woody, Mary Shepherd, Sandy Nez, and Faye Furcap Begay are represented in the exhibit.

Elijah Blair began his career in the 1940s at Toadlena Trading Post, Mexican Water Trading Post, and Aneth Trading Post. In 1960, Elijah purchased Dinnébito Trading Post located northwest of the Hopi mesas. He and his wife Claudia currently own Blair’s Dinnébito Trading Post in Page, Arizona, and the Blair family continues to support weavers and other Native American artisans from the Four Corners region.  In 2013, Elijah and Claudia Blair will celebrate their 65^th wedding anniversary as well as 65 years in the trading post business.

An exhibit opening reception will be held at the Powell Museum Friday April 19^th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Powell Museum at (928) 645-9496.

Dinnebito Trading Post, c.1960. Powell Museum Archives, Elijah Blair Collection.

“Photographing the Southwest” by Laurent Martres

Thursday April 18th, 2013, 7:00 pm (Mountain Standard Time) at Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam.

Have you ever wanted to see with your own eyes all the beautiful locations found in coffee table books, posters and travel magazines? Do you want to see the most photogenic spots in our national parks and monuments? Do you want to visit spectacular “off the beaten track” locations outside the parks? Are you are interested in rock art and early Native American dwellings? Laurent Martres’ The Photographing the Southwest guidebook series is the culmination of over twenty years experience exploring and photographing the natural landmarks of the Southwest. Join Laurent on an exploration of all that the Southwest has to offer to even the most casual of photographers!

Laurent Martres is the author of four highly-praised books on photographing the American Southwest: Land of the Canyons and three volumes in the Photographing the Southwest series, which covers Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. He is the recipient of two Benjamin Franklin Awards (Best Travel Book 2007, 2009) for books published and over sixty thousand photography enthusiasts from around the world have used his books to discover amazing photographic opportunities around the Colorado Plateau. Despite his busy schedule managing and expanding his publishing activity, Laurent continue to dedicate a lot of time, focus, and passion to his photography, which takes him around the world. Laurent is also  a veteran of over 200 arts festival over the past ten years.

Admission is free. The Glen Canyon Lecture Series is sponsored by Glen Canyon Natural History Association, Powell Museum, and Page Public Library.

The Steven F. Ward Memorial Fund committee members and volunteers are holding the

First Annual Steve Ward Memorial Golf Tournament on 

SATURDAY MAY 11th

at Lake Powell National Golf Course.

Registration is at 8:00 a.m. | Shotgun Start at 9:00 a.m.

$75.00 per player

All proceeds from the event will go to the Steven F. Ward Memorial Fund which was established to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Steve Ward, long time Page, Arizona resident, historian, and civic leader, and to promote the continuing history of Page, Arizona through education and historical research.

In addition to a fun-filled morning for the golfers, there will be games for non-golfers and children on the patio. Lunch will be served in the clubhouse for everyone involved.

Click here for more golf related information and registration form.

We hope that you will help by participating in this event, either as a golfer, sponsor, or donor.  Steve is greatly missed, and we hope to continue his important work.

Thank you in advance for your kind support!

For more information call (928) 645-9496.

Chamber of Commerce Mixer in April!

Join us Thursday April 4th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

6 North Lake Powell Blvd.

Page, Arizona 86040

Refreshments will be served.

www.pagechamber.com

The Museum is also hosting an artist’s reception on April 4th at 5:00 p.m. for John West,

the Museum’s April Artist of the Month. Be sure to stop by and say ‘hello’!

We look forward to seeing YOU there! 

Regional Photographer, John West, lives along the Colorado River Corridor.   As an adult, John  lived in Southeastern Utah for over a decade before moving to Virginia, then West Virginia, on his “roundabout journey”  to Grand Canyon National Park where he lived and worked  full-time for 4 years (2004-2008 & seasonally since then).  His “home base” is currently in Lake Havasu City, AZ which is along the Colorado River.

John spends many days per month carrying his camera gear while hiking or kayaking along smooth water sections of the Colorado River and area lakes in search for vistas, birds & wildlife to capture with his camera to subsequently share with others.  John looks at the 3 river raft trips through the Grand Canyon as highlights in his endeavor to stay connected with nature.  Additionally, at the Grand Canyon, John has been a guide, taking guests through the Kaibab National Forest viewing wildlife and visiting little-known Pictograph and Petroglyph panels; and, along the Rim of the Grand Canyon taking guests to prominent vistas for photo opportunities.

Recent publications include two birding brochures by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge’s “Birds” brochure; and Havasu National Wildlife Refuge’s “Birds” brochure.  The 2013 calendar published by Arizona Game & Fish features John’s photo of “California Condors at the Grand Canyon” for its November 2013 calendar page.  Prescott Audubon Society’s website has a trail publication which is comprised of bird photos donated by John. Five of John’s wildlife photos are on permanent display by the National Park Service at the recently dedicated “Colorado River Heritage and Greenway Trails Park” at Laughlin, NV.

www.johnwestimages.com

Join us Thursday April 4th for an artists reception at 5:00 p.m. at the Powell Museum. The event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. The Museum will also host a Page-Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce Mixer after the reception. Be sure to stick around!

The Page High School Photography Department, taught by Mr. Kyran Keisling, emphasizes the use of digital and 35mm cameras incorporating techniques for film processing, print enlarging, composition, fundamental aesthetics, and class critiques. Students incorporate art history and philosophy as they explore their artistic expression and individual style. Students also explore career opportunities in photography and the arts, and display their artwork at a public venue to complete class requirements.

Join us Thursday March 14th  for an artists reception from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Powell Museum. The event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.