WVC at Omak presents Magic Lantern event Feb. 6 and 7

Media Contact: Evelyn Morgan-Rallios, administrative assistant to the vice president of instruction - Omak campus, 509.422.7806, or Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509.682.6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

As part of the Wenatchee Valley College 75th anniversary, the WVC at Omak Foundation presents two Magic Lantern events in Okanogan County on Feb. 6 and 7 that will feature early Okanogan County photos from the collection of photographer Frank Matsura.

The first Magic Lantern event is at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Omak Performing Arts Center. The second event is Saturday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at Vicki's Backdoor on main street in Oroville. The suggested donation for each event is $15 per person.

Both events include the rare opportunity to see photos of Frank Matsura, a famous early photographer of Okanogan County. Most of his photos were on glass plate negatives and many were not printed.

Magic lanterns were introduced in the 1600s and were the earliest form of slide projectors. They were first illuminated by candles and later by kerosene, limelight, carbon arc and electric light. The first slides were hand-painted on glass and projected onto walls and screens. Scenes often portrayed cultures, places and stories. Magic lanterns were used in theaters, churches, schools and fraternal lodges.

These events are sponsored by the WVC at Omak Foundation, Borderlands Historical Society and Okanogan County Historical Society.