News Release

May 9, 2007

Tale of the 'Donkey Man' Pops Out of Boise State Book Arts Class' Work with Help of 3-D Glasses

Boise State University professor Tom Trusky is inviting the public to learn a little bit more about Pacific Northwest history and enjoy the works created by his book arts class — all in 3-D.

Visitors to Trusky’s Web site (http://english.boisestate.edu/ttrusky/index.htm)  will be able to see the class’ project with the help of 3-D glasses, which can be obtained by calling

J. F. Anderson and son Howard

Howard Anderson and donkey, circa 1915

Anderson's business cards

From Native American portrait series by J. F. Anderson

(208) 426-4210 or by e-mailing Trusky. The students were asked to create a book that dealt with the story of the “Donkey Man,” J. Fred Anderson, a photographer who worked in northern Idaho and eastern Washington at the turn of the 20th century.

Anderson found a suffering, abandoned donkey in Lewiston and nursed it back to health, later enlisting the donkey to carry his chemicals and other photography equipment. Anderson would travel from town to town, often taking photos taking photos of children riding the donkey and wearing costumes, as well as portraits of American Indians in the region. He married a young woman that his family later referred to as “The Child Bride,” according to Anderson’s son, Howard. The Child Bride ran off, and Anderson eventually married again and fathered Howard Anderson and a daughter. After being mistreated by his father, 17-year-old Howard ran away from his parents and Idaho, never to return.

The book arts class was tasked with using some part of the story in a creative way. Some of the creations deal with Anderson’s camera, or are told from the point of view of The Child Bride.

3-D enthusiasts have another opportunity to use their special glasses by visiting the Idaho Center for the Book’s Web site at http://www.lili.org/icb/. Trusky worked with Kathy Robinson at Boise State Printing and Graphics Services to turn his photos into 3-D creations.

“I only regret that the glasses are red and blue instead of blue and orange,” he said.
 

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Contact: Tom Trusky, English, (208) 426-1999, ttrusky@boisestate.edu
Media Contact: Julie Hahn, University Communications, (208) 426-5540, juliehahn@boisestate.edu

May is “Return to Learn” month at Boise State University. “Return to Learn” is a concentrated effort to provide information on the best options for returning to school to those who are considering taking classes from the university. For more information, call (208) 562-3127 or click http://returntolearn.boisestate.edu.
 

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Last reviewed on Thursday, October 25, 2007