Havre photographer honored by state

A photographer based out of Havre has been rewarded for his work capturing the essence of Montana and was honored at the Capitol Wednesday in Helena at a display of his work.

Todd Klassy was selected by Secretary of State Linda McCulloch as the latest "Treasured Montana Artist."

"Our prairies and plains are as significant as our mountains," McCulloch said in a press release. "There's history in that old grain elevator, cattle herd and rusted sign you pass 100 miles from the last traffic light, and Todd tells the story beautifully."

Klassy, who was raised on a farm himself, said in the release that it always was his dream to photograph the back roads and hidden corners of Montana. He said his fondness for the state extends to rural landmarks and all those whose culture and way of life is "threatened by the hands of time."

"My home is the gravel road," Klassy said in the release. "I make it a point to travel every corner of the state, because however breathtaking Yellowstone and Glacier may be, it's the life of a pow-wow, the dust in an abandoned schoolhouse, and the fire in the eye of a bearded cowboy that truly reflect this state."

McCulloch launched the Treasured Artist program in January 2009 to showcase Montana artists. Access to the rotating exhibits at the Capitol are free to the public.

Klassy's photographs will be on display, to be be viewed at no charge through September.