Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1521025
SIGNATURE MONTANA | 41 Lisa Wareham's connection to Montana's past runs deep, with roots tracing back to a great-grandmother born in what is now the ghost town of Elkhorn, Montana. However, it wasn't until Wareham le for college and returned with a fresh perspective that her fascination with the historic mining town of Bue truly blossomed. She found herself captivated by the echoes of history in the creaks of old stairways of aging buildings and the faded photographs of people from the rough and tumble days of early Bue. is blend of history and photography began to shape her future during her time working on the school newspaper, where she first experimented with slide film. is sparked the initial idea to merge contemporary and historical images, a concept that would later crystallize into her renowned Layers of Time photo series. LISA WAREHAM Her volunteer work in 2007 at the World Museum of Mining, scanning and archiving photographs, laid further groundwork for her venture into history-infused photography. e purchase of the Smithers Collection by the Bue Archives a decade later provided the high-quality historic images needed to kickstart her project, especially as the loss of landmarks like the iconic M&M bar and the Blue Range underscored the urgency and significance of preserving Bue's history. By 2021, Wareham had produced an impressive collection of photos that blended historical images with modern-day shots, thanks to permissions from the Bue Silver Bow Public Archives, the South Dakota Historical Society, and the Library of Congress. Through Lisa Wareham's lens, downtown Butte is captured in a captivating dance of eras. Part of her 'Layers of Time' series, this image beautifully melds the historic charm with the vibrant pulse of the present, showcasing the city's evolving story from the same timeless perspective. Lisa Wareham elegantly captures the spirit of Butte, blending an elk into the downtown scene. This imaginative piece merges the historic charm of Butte with the vibrant pulse of today, inviting us to ponder the continuity of nature and urban life through the ages." Lisa Wareham embodies the spirit of an artist deeply rooted in the essence of Butte and Montana. Her unique ability to blend past and present in her photography is a tribute to her love and appreciation for the land that shapes her creative vision.