In 1968, Barry McWayne arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska, planning to stay a year or two to make photographs of the “Great Land.”  But in 1970, he was offered a position at the University of Alaska Museum of the North to create and head a new photographic department. For over 36 years, McWayne spent his career at the Museum (retiring in 2007), first making photographs for the institution’s research collections, exhibitions, and publications; then originating and curating the Permanent Collection of Fine Art Photography; and, for the final 15 years, curating all the Museum’s fine art collections. Throughout these three-plus decades, he maintained an active role as artist with over 150 exhibitions to his credit. In 1985, McWayne received an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Alaska State Council on the Arts in recognition of his achievements in photography. His work has been acquired by the major museums of Alaska, by corporations such as Alaska Airlines, Westin Hotels, Cincinnati Financial Corp. and others, and by private collectors in and out of the 49th state. McWayne has curated photographic exhibitions for numerous institutions, including the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, The Visual Arts Center of Alaska, The Photographic Center of Monterey (CA), and the UA Museum of the North. His teaching credits range from university courses to statewide workshops, and he thoroughly enjoys mentoring younger photographers who seek his advice.

For many years, Barry McWayne and his wife, Dorli (principal flutist with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra), have been deeply involved with the arts in Alaska. McWayne helped found the Fairbanks Camera Arts Group and served as its director for 8 years. He has chaired the visual arts committee of the Fairbanks Arts Association, and is a past-president of the Fairbanks Symphony Association and the Fairbanks Concert Association. In 2001, McWayne was presented the prestigious “Ken Gray Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in Alaska," and in 2004 he received the Alaska Photographic Center's inaugural award for "Outstanding Achievement in Photography."