We note here that the late senator and his family have been in the front ranks of those promoting arts in the last frontier for decades. Their names are prominent on donors lists, facilities and more, with contributions benefiting visual arts, opera, theater, dance, literature and Native culture. The late Sen. Stevens was, for instance, an instigator and major booster of the Annual Anchorage Festival of Music's Young Artist Award and winner's recital, taking place next Sunday in a concert that will be dedicated to his memory. That's just one arts interest in a list that would take more ink than we have in this section.
Patricia Neal
Two other major figures with relevance to Alaska also passed away. Oscar-winning actress Patricia Neal died at the age of 84 last Sunday. Though known to millions through her roles in movies, Neal was also one of live theater's grand dames. She doggedly attended the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez for many years, despite physical infirmities that made the long trip from Massachusetts or (sometimes) St. Louis grueling.
Those of us who had the good fortune to attend those conferences not only saw her in what may have been her final performances but were able to meet her personally. The conference has the tradition of winding down with a general meeting, a breakfast discussion concerning high and low points and ideas about what new direction it may take.
For some years, the event took place in a second-floor living room that involved a long climb up steep stairs. Even with her cane and coordination difficulties, Neal insisted on making the climb and contributing her thoughts.
In years when I (sadly) couldn't make the conference, I have offered to chauffeur on the Anchorage side, shuttling people around town, helping with their luggage and so forth. I recall going to Ted Stevens International Airport to get Neal and finding her, at the end of an exhausting 16-hour cross-country trip, graciously chatting with other travelers who had spotted her.
Of course, knowing who Patricia Neal was disclosed one's own age. A few years ago, on her final trip, I took her to a middling hotel on Spenard Road -- she was never one to demand luxury. It was after midnight. She checked in, giving her name and asked the young woman at the desk, "Do you know that name?" The girl said no. En route to the room, Neal snipped, "Well, she's not getting much of a tip."
A long obituary from the Los Angeles Times is posted at adn.com/artsnob. Feel free to add your own memories of Pat in Alaska there.
Barry McWayne
Closer to home, Barry McWayne died in Anchorage, after a brief stay at a local hospital, also on Sunday. He was 67. The cause of death had not been determined at press time.
Hankering to photograph "beautiful scenery and old junk," Chicago-born McWayne came to Alaska from California in 1968. In 1970 he began his long career with the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks, originally making photographs for the institution's research collections, exhibitions and publications.
He started the museum's Permanent Collection of Fine Art Photography and eventually became the curator for all of the museum's fine art collections.
At the same time he actively pursued fine art photography, with over 150 exhibitions of his work. He taught, curated numerous shows, received many important awards, served on the boards of organizations ranging from the Fairbanks Arts Association to the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra (his wife, Dorli, is principal flutist with that ensemble).
In 2000 the McWaynes did something most artists wish they could do, but never have the chance to: They made a $200,000 donation to the expansion program for the Museum of the North.
"I've invested for a long time -- and well -- and decided it's time to put something back into a place that I know does an extremely good job," he told the Daily News.
He retired from the museum in 2007, but maintained a busy schedule. At the time of his death, his website listed half-a-dozen upcoming photo exhibits in which he was involved.
A memorial tribute to him will take place at 2 p.m. today in Charles W. Davis Concert Hall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Links to memorial sites can be found at adn.com/artsnob.
Music lovers only
On June 20 in this column I complained about the clatter at the Tap Root Cafe when jazz musician Yngvil Vatn Guttu had her CD release party. Noisy patrons drowned out the live music.
For others who may have wondered what the music sounded like without the bar barbarity, Out North, 3800 DeBarr Road, is offering the chance to listen without distraction, at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
"The Listening Room" series promises to provide "a 100 percent music friendly venue ... No glasses clinking, no drunk jerks, no meat market of pretty people competing for your attention," reads the press release. Just "the opportunity to enjoy the true craft of a fine musician: an intimate experience for an affordable ticket price."
That's $15 at the door or $10 at outnorth.org. (Go there to check out their revamped website, if nothing else.)
First up will be some of the same people we couldn't hear in June: vatn Guttu, Dan McElrath, Rick Zelinsky, Erroll Bressler and Caermorn Cartland.
Oh, and just so we don't lose touch with the roots of jazz, a licensed concession with adult beverages will be open for those with I.D.
Map madness
The response to my meditation on maps in this column two weeks ago surpasses anything else that's ever appeared here.
On a typical week I'm lucky to get three comments on topics that touch on some of the best work by some of the most creative people on the planet.
But the convoluted description of how Kodiak and Hawaii compare geographically (settled, in a glance, by Pam Dunlap-Shohl's side-by-side maps of the islands) drew more than 60 comments, mostly incoherent -- not that coherence matters in blogdom.
But a few items of note emerged. Long Island appears to have a larger population than Manhattan, and Puerto Rico, technically a possession of the U.S., has more people than either, making it an arguable contender for the title of "America's biggest island," to use the loose vernacular.
And Webster's informs me that they will be changing the erroneous square mileage of Kodiak listed since 1972, the source or the original error lost in history.
Apparently, I'm the first person who noticed it.
Find Mike Dunham online at adn.com/contact/mdunham or call 257-4332.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.