In conjunction with Northern Michigan University's 125th anniversary, the DeVos Art Museum on campus is presenting "Standing Still: Studio Portraits from the Upper Peninsula" through Nov. 2. The historic portraits, provided by the Jack Deo Collection, were taken at U.P. photo studios from 1890-1910. They depict local legends, friends, neighbors and everyday heroes of the past.
The portrait photographers whose works are featured include Charles Cole and Brainard F. Childs at Childs Art Gallery in Marquette and Ishpeming; John William Nara at Nara Studio in Calumet; Gustav A. Werner at Werner Studio in Marquette and Ishpeming; and Theodore Sexton at Sexton Studio in Garden.
Gestures, expressions, clothing, props and backdrops reveal rich narratives about the subjects, photographers and the times.
Deo is a 1975 NMU alumnus who owned and operated Superior View Photography in Marquette from 1978-2013. He acquired the original negatives and camera equipment from the Child's Art Gallery, which was open from 1868-1978, making it one of the oldest and largest studios in the region. Deo offers talks on various historical subjects and presents slide shows. See a selection of photos in his collection at viewsofthepast.com.
Admission to the museum is free. Hours are: noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; noon to 8 p.m. Thursday; and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.