It was a seemingly typical scene for an art opening.  Photography hung on the walls, prints and postcards were on sale, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were laid out, light jazz was playing in the background and art enthusiasts were mingling and showing admiration for the photographers.  But one element of the scene didn’t quite fit.  This exhibit wasn’t held in an art gallery, but in a dentist office. 

             Photography and dentistry aren’t usually mentioned in the same breath but for Eugene owner and dentist Donald Dexter, art and health are an important match.  Dexter says he understands the uneasiness and hassle people experience when going to the dentist.  In order to provide an experience that is as painless as possible, he fills the halls of his office with stunning photography and plays relaxing music in the background.  

            “Art is a healer and studies have shown this to be true,” says Dexter.   He says his philosophy derives from the research of Dr. Robert Ulrich from the University of Texas, who found that art could lead to beneficial health outcomes. 

            Along with his work to incorporate art into his field of dentistry, Dexter holds events to showcase various artists’ work.  Unlike most galleries, which take up to 60 percent of the commission from art showcases, the profits gained from his events go solely to the artists. 

            “It’s about providing a space for local artists to demonstrate their impressive talent, not the money,” he says. He points out that considering the vast amount of art around Eugene it is hard to attract a big crowd.  Sometimes two people show up, other times 40 people show up.  Regardless, the show goes on.             

            The event on a recent Monday night focused on the work of Katsuyuki Shibata and Roka Walsh.  Both photographers are similar in their passion for capturing breathtaking moments in nature but different in their approach and their philosophy. Whether it is photographing the shore of the Oregon Coast, Crater Lake, Wildlife Refugee or Hart Mountain, Shibata strives to capture the beautiful illumination of light.  He almost exclusively photographs in the early morning and late afternoon to capture the most vibrant light.  Animals and birds are also a central theme in his photographs. “I like to go to places where things are alive”, says Shibata.”       

            Roka Walsh is more focused on the philosophy of photography.  Her goal as a photographer is to reveal beauty and mystery of nature, which is not initially present to the human eye.  She is especially enamored with flowers.  “They’re in the world for such a short period of time but bring beauty and joy to those in their presence,” Walsh wrote in her brochure of flowers.  She often digitally accentuates one aspect of a photograph while blurring out another in order to give the viewer a sense of what to look for. 

            Dexter further explains his philosophy about art and health on his website, “when all of the parts of a living system are in the right relationship to each other and to the system as a whole, that system is healthy.”