Join us in welcoming Mark Simpson as this week’s featured artist. He will be here during Friday Fling to chat with folks about his work. His artwork will be in our gallery from June 11th to June 17th.
Born and raised in Palmer in 1958, Mark Simpson grew up at his parents’ homestead at the foot of Pioneer Peak along the Knik River, where he still lives and works today from his home photography studio. After graduating from high school in 1977, he worked a variety of jobs, from the U.S. Forest Service to the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, before beginning his photography career in 1985, following his studies at Mat-Su Community College.
Over the years, his photography has spanned weddings, portraits, family sessions, senior photos, glamour photography, model portfolios, state hairdressing competitions, and fashion shows. Whenever possible, he also ventures outdoors to photograph Alaska’s wildlife and scenery, subjects that have long inspired his work.
His exhibit features striking images of bull moose, close-up bear encounters, Dall sheep, foxes, caribou, and the Northern Lights. Through his photography, he captures both the grandeur of Alaska’s landscapes and the fleeting moments found in wildlife and human connection.