Friend’s acquisitions donated to the City Museum

Over the years, the FoJDCM has purchased several acquisitions for the City Museum. In 2017, the FoJDCM won at auction, Bend in the River, oil on canvas, 20”x24”, by Sydney Laurence, 1865-1940. This landscape, painted in the flats near where the airport is located today, is a fine example of Laurence’s work in the Juneau area, his skill, and his dedication to plein-air painting.

Laurence is widely regarded as Alaska’s most prominent painter, famous for his many views of Mt. McKinley, now known as Mt. Denali, and the Cook Inlet region. It is less widely known that Laurence visited and painted in Juneau, and his work was represented by Belle Simpson and the Nugget Shop. Journeying to Alaska in 1904 to prospect for gold, his artistic talent and fascination with Alaskan scenes brought him back to painting, where he began earning his livelihood and a lasting reputation.

Bend in the River was donated to the Juneau-Douglas City Museum in memory of William D. De Armond, who died in Seattle at the age of 79 on June 28, 2017. Bill is survived by his wife, Malin Babcock. Along with becoming a charter and ongoing current member of the Friends, Bill was also a major supporter of the Museum’s objectives, notably, assistance in the Museum’s project to realize his late father’s Juneau-related work in digital form: “Digital Bob.”

Donors to Bend in the River and the William D. De Armond Acquisition fund, “Bill’s Cache,” are: Malin Babcock, Ole & Sandy Bartness, John & Susan Bertholl, Mike Blackwell, Mary Borthwick & Robert Minch, Kathryn & Chuck Cohen, Cristine Crooks & Dean Guaneli, Elizabeth DeArmond, Gwynne Dodge, Allen Dodworth, Joan Featherstone Case, Joe Garrett, Alan & Carolyn Gould, Anne Grisham Schultz, Don & Alma Harris, Mary Claire Harris, Paula Johnson, Elisabeth Lee, Jane Lindsey & Ross Soboleff, Jean McBrien, Doug & Shauna Murray, Marcia Phillips & Charlie Payne, The Probst Family, Judy Ripley,  Tracy Sommers, Pierre & Jean Sundborg, Kirk Tousley, Katrina Woolford, Mary Pat Wyatt & Paul Voelckers.

Other Friend’s acquisitions donated to the City Museum include:

Alaska Native Brotherhood cap made by Frank Alby, 2016

Alaska Native Brotherhood Koogeinaa made by Frank Alby, 2016

Three Unfinished Herb Bonnet paintings and a KINY 50th Anniversary Poster designed by Herb Bonnet. Purchased with funds from “Bill’s Cache,” In Memory of William D. De Armond:

Unfinished Painting #9 (Red Plane Flying Into Juneau)