A long time Alaskan artist is recognized by the Rasmuson Foundation.
Kesler Woodward was given $25,000 dollars in unrestricted funds and awarded distinguished artist 2012.
Woodward served as curator of visual arts at the Alaska State Museum and as artistic director of the Visual Arts Center of Alaska before moving to Fairbanks in 1981.
He taught art at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for two decades before retiring to paint full-time in 2000.
Woodward says the Rasmuson Foundation changed the face art in the state and created a program that artists can all benefit from.
He's been painting since the age of 19 and says he never thought he would, "get it right."
"I know that I share with you an incredible debt of gratitude to this foundation for having changed the whole ground of which we make art in Alaska," said Kesler Woodward, recipient of the distinguished artist award.
This is the 9th year for the artist awards. The Rasmuson Foundation has provided nearly $1.9 million to 267 practicing Alaskan artists.