‘I hope my exhibition will show others with disabilities that it’s possible to be an artist and have a business’

A photo by Fu Bao Hartle scheduled to be part of an upcoming exhibit of his work at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Provided by Fu Bao Hartle)

By Fu Bao Hartle

Juneau is my hometown, and I like to take photographs around town and while I adventure around Southeast Alaska with my parents on our boat. My focus is on landscapes and wildlife. I will have my first solo exhibit at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum in November with an opening reception on the First Friday, Nov. 6, from 4:30-7 p.m. 

The exhibit will highlight the beauty of Southeast Alaska, and the bears and the habitat they call home. The exhibit is called “Southeast Alaska Sailing Adventures through the Lens of Fu Bao.” All the pieces are printed on canvas; I have been experimenting with canvas prints since 2025. 

In 2022, I started my photography business with the help of my parents and support staff with Tides LLC. I was encouraged to start a business by my peers at a Peer Power Alaska meeting. Some of them talked about their businesses and I told them that I wanted to have a photography business and they encouraged me.

From my original photographs, I have calendars, prints, magnets, and note cards made. In 2025 I had my first-ever solo art show at the Alaskan Brewery gallery and am looking forward to my show in November at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum.  

I hope my exhibition will show others with disabilities that it’s possible to be an artist and have a business. I want to tell people we can do art with disabilities. We are not unable. All of this is really important to me because it’s fun, and an opportunity to learn and a lot of interesting work. Believe in yourself and never give up and ask others to help you if you need it.  

• Fu Bao Hartle is a Juneau Special Olympics athlete and advocate, and a commercial photographer.