Please welcome Oliver, the latest member of the photography department’s extended canine family. The five-year-old Smooth Fox Terrier was adopted from a Rhode Island rescue facility by Ron Amato, chair of the photography department and his husband Seth Muzzy. “He’s changing every day,” says Amato. Oliver it appears has discriminating tastes. “Last night he was playing with all his toys. This morning he wanted nothing to do with them.” 
“Why the long face Oliver?” asks assistant chair Brad Paris the owner of a mutt named Pill. Well for one thing Oliver had 11 teeth extracted last week, not long after being neutered. It’s a lot for a little fellow to go through, but Amato says his boy is very resilient. 
- Ron Amato, Oliver & Seth Muzzy
We hope for Oliver’s speedy recovery.
photos: Ron Amato
On April 15th, award-winning photographer and Fulbright recipient, Erika Larsen, spoke to Brad Paris’ portfolio review class about her time with Sámi reindeer herders of the Scandinavian arctic.
Gahkti
Ms. Larsen showed stunning images and video segments of reindeer herding and hunting, meal preparation, family portraits and aspects of daily life.
Johan and Cammu
Over a four-year period, she gained access gradually: “The first trip I didn’t shoot much, only 45 photos.” Living with two Sámi families she started out “picking herbs and cleaning…They started by making me ‘do’ the Sámi culture through daily work,” she said.
Sámi Woman and Baby
Not until a year later did she see reindeer and understand its importance to the culture. “It wouldn’t exist without reindeer,” she said.
Among Boazu
Her stays became progressively longer. Ms. Larsen is now studying the Sámi language full time. She plans next to chronicle the seaside Sámi. Reindeer, she said, is only 10 percent of Sámi culture.
All photos by Erika Larsen
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