BWCA image by Duluth photographer headed to Smithsonian

The canoeist enjoys a sunset paddle along the North Kawishiwi River on a beautiful Fall evening in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
Sunset Paddle by Dawn LaPointe
Sunset Paddle
Sunset Paddle by Dawn LaPointe

A fall moment on the North Kawishiwi River will be preserved in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's "Wilderness Forever" exhibit. The photo is one of 13 images added to the exhibit this year.

A wilderness photograph created by Dawn LaPointe, a Duluth area resident, has been professionally juried into the “Wilderness Forever” exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. to open in September. The special exhibit celebrates the golden anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The entries for the Wilderness 50 were reviewed by a panel of experts in photography, science, and conservation, and were judged on the basis of technical quality, originality, and artistic merit.

LaPointe’s photograph, titled “Sunset Paddle”, was the winner in its category and division, “People in Wilderness”, amateur. There were more than 5,500 entries in the photo competition. Of 300 semi-finalists, two were LaPointe’s: “Through the Fog” and “Sunset Paddle”. LaPointe’s winning photograph will be among 50 on exhibit in large format at the Smithsonian this Fall. “It is very fitting that an image from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will be on exhibit in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act”, said LaPointe. She captured the surreal scene as her husband, Gary Fiedler, took the canoe out for a sunset paddle on the North Kawishiwi River on a special Fall wilderness trip in canoe country. “I’m honored that this photograph was chosen to celebrate the Wilderness Act and convey the wilderness experience and natural beauty to others”, said LaPointe. The photograph and accompanying story will also be published in the 2014 Spring/Summer edition of Nature’s Best Photography magazine as well as a special publication to commemorate the golden anniversary event. (Release)

The husband and wife team operate the Radiant Spirit Gallery in Duluth.

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