Remembering Arthur Fink Through His Photography at MJM

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Aaiyn Foster, Widow of Photographer Arthur Fink Stands in Front of One of Her Favorite Photographs of His This Afternoon at the Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress Street, Portland.

Another Photograph in the Maine Jewish Museum Show That Began Today and Runs through November 12, 2021.

One of Fink’s Best Known Photographs Was of Dancers in the Bates Dance Festival is in the Show.

“I built the bridge between the Bates Dance Festival and Arthur,” said Aaiyn Foster, this afternoon as she and photography curator Nancy Kahn were putting the finishing touches on an exhibit of the late Arthur Fink’s photography at the Maine Jewish Museum in preparation for the opening reception this afternoon. The show is titled – Dancing in the Light.

Kahn said that she and Nancy Davidson, director of the Maine Jewish Museum, thought it would be great to mount a show before Arthur died.  But he passed before that happened.  On April 21.

Framed photographs range in cost from $225. up to $1,500.  Unframed photographs are also available.

The late Fink and his third wife, Aaiyn, were long time residents of Peaks Island.  During this time, he developed a passion and reputation for photography of dancers – most specifically for dancers in the annual Bates Dance Festival.  He became best known for those photographs according to Kahn, photography curator for the Maine Jewish Museum and for this show as well.  Kahn and curator Bruce Brown, also a photographer, selected twenty-five of his best photographs for this show that runs through November 12th.

Foster who describes herself as a “living room” dancer was taking a Master Class from a Festival teacher back in 2007.  She asked him if there would be interest in having these Festivals recorded by a photographer – who just happened to be her husband. The collaboration was an instant success.

Both Foster and Fink come from creative backgrounds that make deviation hard to imagine.  Fink’s father was a reknown graphic artist who designed packaging for elite perfumes and cigars.  His mother was the fashion editor for WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, the leading publication in the fashion and beauty news and one of the oldest having been established in 1910.

Foster grew up in Washington, D.C.  Her father was Bureau Chief of Wire Photos for the AP in the District.  Eventually he became International Desk Editor there.  She learned a lot from her father – both in life and death.

Foster said that she  learned from her father’s death how to cope with death of a loved one. “Inhale all of  the treasures and gifts. Then, exhale all of the gifts of those who have passed and carry them forward.  THAT is being alive,”  she emphasized.  “We know from physics that matter does not die.  It just changes form.”

“I asked Arthur if he wanted to take my maiden name,” said Foster this afternoon.  That was about six years before their 30 year marriage began.  He was speechless, uncharastecially.

For more information, please visit: mainejewishmuseum.org