Mat-Su College receives painting celebrating the school's history from former student and renowned artist Dean Larson

At the Machetanz Art Festival Reception on Friday, May 31, the Matanuska-Susitna College (MSC) received a valuable gift from Palmer High School graduate ('76) and nationally recognized artist Dean Larson, who presented the college with an original oil painting, "Fresh Snowfall." Larson created the painting in honor of the late Al Okeson, a former director of the college, and has deep roots in the Palmer and college communities. His father, former state Rep. Ron Larson, was an adjunct history instructor at the college for many years. Dean Larson took his first college class at the Matanuska-Susitna campus in 1975 and went on to attend Willamette University in Oregon. As an artist, Dean is associated with the resurgent American Realist Movement. He is a nationally recognized artist sought for commissioned portraits whose paintings include works at the White House, portraits of former U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield and of former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, which hangs in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. In addition to creating new paintings, he teaches art in San Francisco. He has twice won the coveted John and Anna Lee Stacey National Award for oil paintings and was awarded the prestigious Pollack-Krasner Foundation Grant in 2008 for his work.

Larson grew up in the Matanuska Valley and was a student of Fred Machetanz, one of Alaska's most recognized artists. Dean credits Machetanz with being a key figure in his development as an artist. Fred's wife, Sara Machetanz, was an accomplished writer and produced several children's books illustrated by the artist. The works of Fred Machetanz adorn the walls of public and private collections throughout Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The Machetanz family played a key role in the early history of the Matanuska-Susitna College. After Fred and Sara passed away, the Machetanz family donated 240 acres, which now make up a large part of the 970-acre campus, and their personal Alaskana book collection to the college. The books are housed in special glass cases in the Okeson Library. In addition, the Machetanz Family endowed a $67,000 scholarship fund for MSC students. The college is currently home to three original Machetanz oil paintings, one of which hangs appropriately in the lobby of Machetanz Hall. Fred and Sara Machetanz had one child, Traeger Machetanz, now a prominent attorney in both Alaska and Washington. Traeger and Dean Larson grew up together and remain good friends. Traeger also continues to be supportive of the college's endeavor to develop the Machetanz Art Festival in honor of his parents.

Al Okeson became the director of the Matanuska-Susitna College in 1961 when there was no campus, no building and no full-time staff, just rented rooms in downtown Palmer for a few courses taught by adjuncts. He served as director of the college for 27 years until his retirement in 1988. After his retirement, he continued to work as a counselor for new students at the college and as an interim director between the terms of some successors. Al's wife Gloria was crucial to the unpaid support staff for many of the early years, when she did much of the paperwork to keep the college viable. The Okeson's made use of valley talent to generate a local faculty in the early years of the college. Recognizing Dean Larson as an emerging talent, Al Okeson (and later Glenn Massay) invited him back to the college to teach short art classes, a tradition repeated this year. Two years ago, Al and Gloria Okeson established a scholarship fund for non-traditional students. Al Okeson passed away in 2011; Gloria Okeson continues to reside in Palmer.

Professor Felicia Desimini and the Arts Advisory Council organized Friday's reception for artists participating in Machetanz Art Festival classes. The Arts Advisory Council members for the festival were Sharon Allen, Nancy Angelini Crawford, Elaine Helling, Carole Menard and Judy Stancyk. Candace C. Gleason, who passed away before this year's festival, was also a key member of the committee. Although technically "advisory," the committee generously devoted much time, energy and hands-on work to make the festival possible.

With the presentation of Dean Larson's painting in memory of Al Okeson, the Matanuska-Susitna College is now the beneficiary of the seeds first planted in its early years. Dean Larson, once a student at the college, is now a donor to the college and a testament to the college slogan, "Opportunities Start Here."

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