Letter from the editor

Art on display

A lot of photographers can walk into the mountains and bring back good pictures. After all, the scenery around here doesn't need much help to look beautiful.

But only a few photographers can disappear into the wilds of the Rocky Mountains and bring back art. Only a handful of these artists rise above snapping a picture - and they make us feel the photo.

Sumio Harada is absolutely one of these photographers. His ability to tell a story with his camera is a joy to experience.

Harada, who hails from Japan and lives with his family in West Glacier, has his photographs on display at the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center for everyone to view and purchase.

Don't miss it.

His pictures reveal stunning expeditions into the heart of the Rocky Mountains, especially those in Montana and Canada. Taking a visual tour of his trips, we see more than the panoramas of granite and snow, more than the fighting Bighorn sheep or mountain goats, more than the family of squirrels trying to survive.

We see the heart of Sumio Harada. Beyond the paper and ink is the passion of one man who slaved in harsh conditions to bring back a sight few ever see. We see his dedication, determination and patience. He often spent hours in the bitter cold to get one chance at one fleeting moment.

The man in person is humble and friendly, even stopping to engage those ridiculous enough to compare the photos they took from their car on Going to the Sun Road to his own work.

The display at the BACC is also his doing. Hours before the opening reception last Friday, Harada was hanging his photographs in just the order and manner he wanted.

Harada will again be at the center in person on Aug. 29, Sept. 2 and Sept. 9. If you can't be there to meet him in person, go see his work when you can. His photographs are well worth the time.