Acadia Pathmakers - Kate

 

Kate

 

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it.” – Irving Penn

Kate oversees the Artist is Residence program at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park and served as primary contact for all things during my project. …but as a long time staff for the National Park Service, she wears many, many hats. Most notably, Kate is an educator, and after spending time with her, I quickly realized that it is her passion to ensure all walk away feeling more connected to this special place. Given her tenure, I also learned fast that her attention is in high demand at Acadia because quite simply she’s the best. The line of people waiting to speak with her outside of her office serves testament! Kate truly listens and considers what you are saying, which seems to be the rarest of commodities. Yes, she is the greatest of sounding boards. She also quickly provides solutions to issues and follows up to be sure all is okay. She also has given me great flexibility with time, project direction, and learning on-the-fly, ensuring that I was growing with my effort.  I’m fortunate to have her as a mentor.

Kate, thank you for listening and providing opportunity. I appreciate all of your time, patience, and guidance and for making my time at Acadia fun and rewarding. Your friendship, inclusiveness, and overall example mean much and more than you could know.

With my biggest smile and utmost respect,

Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film

~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

http://www.schoodicinstitute.org/

http://daniel-grenier.com/

Acadia Pathmakers - Heather

 

Heather

 

"Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long." ~Walker Evans

Heather, I can say without hesitation, is the best.  She plays an administrative role for the trails crew in Acadia National Park, keeping all of the field season chaos corralled. Her attention and help during my residency proved invaluable, introducing me to everyone (literally) and making sure I had room to bring as much inclusiveness as possible into my project.  We checked in near daily where she aligned me to crew locations and who I should first look for once I arrived onsite.  She also upfront keyed me into some worksite expectations and crew culture.  Let’s just say that when working with Heather (and the crew overall) a bit of sarcasm, friendly ribbing, and levity go in hand with a hearty chuckle and true assistance and guidance.  It would be difficult not like Heather because she is one hundred percent engaged in supporting the team and also attached to each colleague personally.  …and just fundamentally thoughtful and kind, which makes a combination that’s magic to be around and work with.

Thank you, Heather, for helping make my experience with the crew and at Acadia happen.  It means much and more than you know.  Respect.

Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens+ Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film

~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

http://www.schoodicinstitute.org/

http://daniel-grenier.com/

Acadia Centennial Art Show

"Lobster Boat at Schoodic Point"  ~Phil Barter

www.bartergallery.com

Hey folks,
If you find yourself in Winter Harbor this month, please stop in at Hammond Hall to see some great art that celebrates Acadia National Park (including one of my own silver prints).  I hope to see you there!

schoodicartsforall.org

~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park


www.schoodicinstitute.org
daniel-grenier.com

Pathmakers - Mike

 

Mike

 

“A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other's lives. It is the knowledge that people have of each other, their concern for each other, their trust in each other, the freedom with which they come and go among themselves.”
Wendell Berry

 

I met Mike leading a group on the Cadillac Cliffs Path, a spur trail off of the main artery leading to the summit of Gorham Mountain. We made some small talk, and he introduced me to his crew. They were getting ready for break, which gave me opportunity to have all of Mike’s attention. We walked the areas where the crew were working, and he pointed out some specific technical concerns, which seemed primarily focused on getting park visitors safely through the complex mountainside terrain, while ensuring the path would remain stable for the long-term. As Mike talked about his work, his walking pace quickened, and he lit up with excitement. He first described the obvious fun associated with moving large boulders across the landscape using pulleys, wire rope, and other mechanical advantage, and then the physicality tied to dry stone masonry in extreme locations such as this.  I can say firsthand that it’s near sensory overload to experience the loud cracks, metal-to-rock sparks, and burning tinder smell left in the air as crew swing sledge onto rock, making smaller crushed material to incorporate into the trail (as means of structural stability and drainage and likely many other uses beyond my understanding). Pretty neat.

Mike then eloquently outlined how the trails at Acadia National Park serve a much larger role than just public enjoyment, having equally important historical and cultural significance. These trails have been here for some time with some paths even pre-dating Euro settlement. In function, all of the crew’s rehabilitation and maintenance efforts equally consider this with the ecological.  Mike stated that the crew looks for and studies historic character-defining features when working on a trail, going to great lengths to use similar construction materials and approach to ensure historic integrity as part of their work. …and what struck me was how Mike sees himself, his crew and other colleagues, and their effort and connection as the newest part of the story playing out on this Maine natural area. You know, this is inspirational given today’s collective short attention span.

Lastly, I walked away thinking that Mike is someone exceptional. There’s a confidence about him on the trail that comes across based on what I’m guessing is lots of trial and error, having his hands in the dirt, by building thick calluses with the sledge hammer and rock bar, and by having to frequently make quick and accurate decisions. He is clearly tied to and cares about his crew and the work they are accomplishing in the park. Mike seemed at ease in his surroundings and had grasp of and could articulate a much bigger picture occurring around him.  Smart. Yes, he sets a motivating example for sure.

Thanks, Mike, for taking time for me and for the education. You’ve made Acadia National Park someplace bigger for me for sure. Much respect…

 

Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens+ Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film

 ~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

 http://www.schoodicinstitute.org/

 http://daniel-grenier.com/

Pathmakers - Acadia Youth Conservation Corps

 

AYCC 2015 Corps Member

 

"It is not bigness that should be our goal.  We must attempt, rather, to bring people back to...the warmth of community, to the worth of individual effort and responsibility...and of individuals working together as a community, to better their lives and their children's future."  -Robert F. Kennedy, in his 1966 speech "Rebuilding a Sense of Community"

 

Another photo from the Youth Conservation Corps...  And one more reminder that 2016 is the centennial of the United States National Park Service.  Get out to visit your favorite park and appreciate!

 

Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film

 

~Dan Grenier

2015 Artist in Residence

Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

http://www.schoodicinstitute.org/

http://daniel-grenier.com/

Pathmakers - Roger

 

Roger

 

"The land belongs to the future...We come and go but the land is always here.  And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it - for a little while."  ~Willa Cather, O Pioneers!

Another photograph of Roger that I think came our nicely...

Happy 100th birthday NPS!

http://www.nps.gov

Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens+ Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film

~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

http://www.schoodicinstitute.org/

http://daniel-grenier.com/

Pathmakers - Roger

 

~Roger

"In photography, the smallest thing can be a great subject. The little human detail can become a Leitmotiv." ~ Henry Cartier Bresson


I ran into Roger on the Deer Brook Trail. There was a lot of commotion occurring with some crew running up hill to tie loose ends on a trail section near-complete, while others headed down hill to help align the next big unit of work.  But Roger was clearly anchoring the main site, and this left a subtle impression on me.  In the middle of all of the bustle occurring around him, he quietly pushed on, aligning boulders with rock bar to create a solid, level walking tread to keep people's feet dry and to help protect the soils along Deer Brook from erosion.  All of Roger’s effort came stamped with discreet purpose and his own dependability and placidity.  Even with just my short time around him, I could never imagine Roger with much of a complaint.  I observed several instances of crew members looking for extra hands to help with their individual tasks.  Each time they went to Roger.  He always stopped without objection, and with a kind smile, walked over to assist taking measures, to provide some extra muscle moving rock, or to safely guide the specific activity.  …and then back again to his own work.  The dominant reoccurring theme at Deer Brook was Roger going about business in his own quiet, understated way, which to my eyes was reflected back in the seamless utility and beauty of the crew's trail improvements.      


Happy 100th birthday NPS!
www.nps.gov


Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film


~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

http://www.schoodicinstitute.org/

http://daniel-grenier.com/

 

Pathmakers - Alex

 

~Alex

 

"No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.”  ~Ansel Adams

 

This is Alex.  She was one of the first National Park Service trail crew staff I met on the ground in Acadia National Park.  After hellos, our conversation quickly turned to photography.  She was aware of vintage camera gear and was excited about the opportunity to make a photograph with me.  This one turned out great, huh?  I really love it!

Spending time with Alex, one quickly realizes that she is smart, determined, and engaged in and driven by her work.  Her dedicated spirit is expansive, and she proved to be excited to share and educate me, and surely all others who cross her path, on the importance the foot trail system plays in the park.  Alex was also well-versed in the technical aspects of trail building.  She near always had a tool in hand, ready-on-the-go, and was deeply involved in crew conversations related to their work detail and approach.  I watched her push and pull rock bar using her all, swinging sledge and leveraging rock with pulley and wire rope.  No doubt, Alex is a bundle of purposeful intensity, but she also was easy with a smile and close with her colleagues.  Shared chuckles, and friendly ribbing, Alex and the crew’s connection was highlighted on down time as they huddled on tarps eating lunch.  It was a privilege to experience this wholesome group effort, which Alex was part of.

We traded emails after I finished the field portion of my residency.  Alex was anxious to see the imagery we created together, and wanted to use the photograph to help respond to questions others had concerning her motivation, ability and adeptness, and role on the trail crew.  She said, “I want people to know that there are women out there working hard, and often times, working harder than most.  I want this photograph to express the resilience and dedication of strong working women.”  To my mind, she’s more than succeeds on all fronts.  And the photo is fantastic too.  Thank you, Alex, for being inspirational, and for being that resolute force that is you.        

 

Once more, a reminder that 2016 marks the 100 year anniversary of the U.S. National Park Service.  Find your park, and get out and enjoy! 

http://www.nps.gov

 

Linhof Technika large format field camera + Schneider-Kreuznach 150mm f/5.6 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 320 black and white film

 

~Dan Grenier

2015 Artist in Residence

Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

http://daniel-grenier.com/