Sydney Laurence paintings loaned to university
May 19, 2014
Suzanne Bishop
907-474-6997
5-20-14
UAF alumni Mary and Tom Albanese have loaned a collection of paintings by Sydney Laurence, Alaska’s most important landscape artist, to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. An exhibition of the works will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 23, at the Rasmuson Library.
The 12 paintings range in size from 8 inches by 10 inches to 20 inches by 15 inches and depict a variety of subjects. They include Laurence’s iconic “Cache in the Forest,” as well as works he painted during a tour of Europe. Laurence was born in 1865 and died in 1940.
The paintings most recently hung in Denali State Bank on Cushman Street in Fairbanks. They will be housed in UAF's Rasmuson Library and will be displayed in a rotating exhibit in the library.
“We are so pleased to be able to keep these important paintings in Alaska,” said Mary Albanese. “This is where they belong.”
Albanese is currently teaching “Life Writing,” a MAYmester course at UAF. She will be one of three speakers at “The Life of a Book,” panel discussion at 6 p.m. on May 22 at Rasmuson Library.
“The paintings offer insight into Laurence’s interests and technique,” said Bella Karr Gerlich, UAF dean of libraries. “We are grateful to the Albaneses for the opportunity to share them with students, researchers and the public.”
For information about the collection, contact the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives at 907-474-2791, or UAF-APR-reference-Service@alaska.edu.
SB/4-19-14/325-14