KUAC’s annual Television Spring Fundraiser kicks off Saturday, March 2nd 2013 with a poster-signing event featuring artwork titled “Ford Dump Truck,” by Fairbanks photo-artist Tom Payer, on its 30th edition of the annual poster. The poster is a thank-you gift for donors who support KUAC’s public broadcasting mission. Payer will sign posters and chat with donors at a reception on March 2nd from noon to 4 p.m. at Well Street Art Company, in Fairbanks, at 1304 Well Street off Phillips Field Road.
“Ford Dump Truck,” a high-dynamic-range photograph of a vintage vehicle with its Alaska license plate rusting artfully like the truck itself, was taken by an artist whose unique outlook on Interior Alaska is shaped by three decades living, working, and photographing here. “There’s nothing like taking a photo of an old piece of machinery and bringing it to life, showing its detail and age,” says Payer. Afterward, when he sits down at the computer, “that’s when the magic happens and I can create something truly unique.” The result is the perfect marriage between his photography and digital art.
That harmony was a factor in the decision made by KUAC’s volunteer selection committee of artists and art experts who chose this intriguing image from over 100 pieces submitted by 40 artists during this year’s open call for art. Committee members were: UA Museum Fine Arts curator Mareca Guthrie, watercolor/multimedia artist Carol Wilbur, art appraiser Jinx Whitaker, Fairbanks Art Association director June Rogers, sculptor/UAF Art professor Da-ka-xeen Mehner, UAF Rasmuson Library graphic designer Dixon Jones, and 2012 poster artist Ken Whitten.
Like KUAC’s 2012 poster artist Ken Whitten, whose winning entry “Berry Toss” was very popular, Tom Payer joins many of Alaska’s renowned artists who have had their work selected for the KUAC poster, including: Sue Steinacher, Madara Hill, Cynthia West Hanson, Barry McWayne, Karen Franzen, Todd Sherman, Alvin Amason, Claire Fejes, Randall Compton, Byron Birdsall, David Mollett, Barbara LaVallee, Jon Van Zyle – and many more. See posters from previous years
