Snippets From The Bright And From The Shade: The Camera Work Of David J. Spear

David Spear has long journeyed with camera in hand. From his high school days in Connecticut when he walked into his school's newspaper pronouncing himself a photographer, through his early years in Montana, and on to the present, he has carried a camera, refining the craft of shutter speed and decisive moment.

In the 1970s, he began a two-decade stint at the International Center for Photography in New York City before moving to Montana in the 1990s. Spear has continually documented his surroundings in film — the eclectic range of characters, objects, and land that make up his home, wherever that may be. This exhibition, Snippets From the Bright and From the Shade, surveys several bodies of his work from the past four decades.

Early in his career, Spear recognized the value of image-making, its link with storytelling and identity, and was determined to share his love of photography with others. In the 1970s as the night watchman and staff photographer for the International Center of Photography in Manhattan, Spear undertook the task of fulfilling the institution's mission "to bring photography into the lives of people who might otherwise not have access to it." Having complete access to the institute's archives and photo labs he used these resources to introduce photography to seven NYC high schools. In 1985 Spear developed the ICP's Community Outreach Program for underserved communities of New York City and was its primary instructor through 1997.

His outreach work continues to this day where he works with students at the Two Eagle River School, an alternative high school, and Salish Kootenai College in Pablo. Included in the exhibition are works by Spear's students from his days in Harlem to his current work on the Flathead Reservation. Choosing, even in this day of digital ease, to work with traditional photographic methods and primarily black and white film, Spear's work resonates with that of 1950's street photographer Robert Frank. Both capture moments that are timeless in their depiction of the human spirit, representations that are dignified without being contrived.

Featured work in this exhibition includes Spear's images of Montana from the late '70s and early '80s; work from his days in Manhattan in the '80s and '90s; a body of work centered around his father while Spear was his primary caretaker; a selection of portraits and landscapes; and lastly scenes from his most recent years on the Flathead Reservation, including work of his students.

Youth, Vision, and Voice: Student Work Guided by David Spear is a slice of the work that Spear has done as outreach with youth groups from seven NYC high schools in the 1980s to his current work on the Flathead Reservation in Ronan, Pablo, Arlee, and St. Ignatius. Spear has worked with hundreds of youths. He begins by arming his students with Polaroid cameras, instructing them to take instant portraits of classmates, and then respond in writing. Viewing the dozens of images and the written observations by the photographers and their subjects is fascinating as the youthful artists comment on what they see in the faces of their friends as well as their own expressions. This activity opens the door to visual literacy as students learn to recognize the power of their images. In another series, students document their communities, depicting unique visions of their day to day lives.

Over three months, more than 1,200 fifth graders will visit MAM and complete an art project related to the exhibition. The exhibition will be the educational foundation for the Fifth Grade Art Experience and is co-sponsored by the Art Associates of Missoula and Trail 103.3.