art alaska style
DESCRIPTION
comprehensive guide to the arts & events in AlaskaTRANSCRIPT
Art Alaska StyleArts & Culture in the Greatland
Events ArtistsPublic ArtGalleriesCulture Info
www.ArtAlaska.info 3
Table of ContentsArt & The Arts 4-5Alaskan Art 6Girdwood 7Alaska State Fair 8-9Inner Artist 10Calls for Art 11Fish & Fowl 12-13Music 14-15Annual Happenings 164th of July 171% for Art 18Public Art 19Photographs by David Wagner 20-21Cave Art Printing 22-23Diversity 24Galleries 25Arts & Crafts Fairs 26Unique 27State of AK 28Train 29Western 30-31Petroglyphs 32First Fridays 33Chugach Arts Council 34Resources 36Lodging 37Writing 38-39Quotes on Art (back cover) 40
Contents
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Art & ArtsThere has always been a lively debate about what is “Art” and what place “The Arts” has in our society. It can get a little confusing, but often it is better to “keep it simple” and just enjoy!
The Arts can be described as a collective of the imaginative and creative use of skill in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments or experiences that can be shared with others.
This broad and nebulous concept includes many creative endeavors.Traditionally, the arts are classified as seven although the list has been expanded to nine. These being Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Poetry, Dance, Theater/Cinema, with the modern non-traditional additions of Photography and Comics.
The Arts is frequently linked to “Culture” and “Humanities”. Culture influences thought & expression and conversely that influences cul-ture. Humanities is the study of the human condition which includes the fields of Classics, History, Languages, Law, Literature, Performing arts, Philosophy, Religion, and Visual arts.
There are often considered 2 general classifications of art.1) Fine Art: purposely created for pleasure and appreciation includes, music, painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, drama and dance.2)Practical Arts: are also called useful, functional or manual art since those created by people for use in their daily lives.
However, that line is often blurred and many don’t feel the need to “define” art. The mere act of defining or catagorizing art can limit it’s expression or enjoyment.
Art is an activity which spans the globe and encompasses a host of disciplines, as evidenced by the range of words and phrases which have been invented to describe its various forms. Examples of such phrases and forms include: Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Visual Arts, Deco-rative Arts, Applied Arts, Design, Crafts, Performing Arts, and so on.
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Genre:
In the world of arts, a genre is a class or category of artistic works that exhibit certain key aesthetic characteristics. To name a work's genre is to describe, define and tag it with these essential aesthetic characteristics.
Genres are found in music, literature, painting, film, television, or in many other arts—even in video games! For example, in music there are genres of classical, folk, rock, heavy metal, pop, blues, big band, etc.; in literature, there are genres of comedy, tragedy, history; in fine arts, there are genres of still life, sculpture, portrait, landscape, etc.; and in film, there are genres of documentary, animation, thriller, horror
For our puposes, we propose the following as included in “The Arts”• Painting & Drawing• Sculpture• Music• Dance• Theatre• Film• Graphic Design• Writing• Architechture• Wood Working• Metal Work• Fiber Arts• Culinary Arts• Photography• Gardens• Folk arts• Pottery & ceramics• CraftsThis is by no means an exhaustive list and we invite you to share with us your vision of what is art!
Art & Arts
Quilts at Alaska Dandylion Festival in Seward
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Alaskan Art
What makes Alaskan Art or Art in Alaska unique?
In many ways it is not unique. The various forms of expression are in many ways universal. But Alaska does have a certain spirit or emotion that comes through many of its forms.
Some of the influences or themes you may notice are:
• Northwestern Native Culture• Alaskan Native symbols• Russian colors & icons• Wildlife• Fish & fishing• Oceans
Because of Alaska’s size and the distance between towns, many folks either shop by “mail order” or must “stock up” during trips to town. It is not uncommon for Alaskans to purchase products and have them shipped in.
There are a number of good websites that make Alaskan art more available.
MaterialsSome of the unique or
common materials used in Alaskan art are
IvoryBone
Furs & SkinsWillowCedar
Earthquake clayCopper
JadeBaleen
Qiviut (Inuit for wool of the muskox)
Unique or common items of Alaskan art:
BasketsMasksUlus
CarvingsDolls
PaintingsPhotographs
www.milesofalaska.net
Alaskan ArtAlaskan Art
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Girdwood is an inspiration for all, especially for artists. The beauty of Turnagain Arm takes your breath away and is a constantly changing scene. It is a perfect spot for a gallery featuring Alaskan artists. The Girdwood Center for the Visual Arts is located at Olympic Mountain Loop and features over 30 artists that make Alaska their home. Staying true to the local artist allows visitors to see Alaska through the eyes of those that live here with the midnight sun and the winter wonderland. Art ranges from abstract, photogra-phy, weaving, woodworking, glass, fiber, pottery, oil and watercolor. The subjects of art are just as varied, something for everyone. The Girdwood Center for Visual Arts mission is to provide visi-tor and community awareness of resident artists. The Forest Fair in July fills the woods with booths featuring art and food. Our local glass artists gather in September for a show and in October our fund raising art auction provides a great opportunity to take home fantastic art while supporting the continued success of the Gallery. October through April featuremonthly artist shows that allows
Girdwoodartists to highlight their work while learning how to market their work. Our yearly commu-nity mural in May brings artists and locals together on an artistic project that can be enjoyed year round in the Girdwood Park. The Girdwood Center for Visual Arts isn’t just a gallery, it’s a learning experience for artists, it’s a community connection to art. Turn off the highway and make the Gallery a planned stop. The best souvenir is beau-tiful art!
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Year-Round Calendar
■June 16, 2012 11:00 am - June 16, 2012 4:00 pm4th Annual Family Tribal Celebration & Health Fair Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fairgrounds,Lunch: 12:00 p.m. provided Activities: Drumming & Dancing, Health Fair with a Variety of Vendors, Children's Activities, Tribal Presentations, Craft Tables, and Door Prizes Free Entry and Healthy Communication For questions, call: Chickaloon Village Traditional Council (745-0749) or Knik Tribal Council (373-7991)Sponsored by: Athabascan Nation, Chickaloon Village and Knik Tribal Council ■June 23, 2012 9:00 am - June 24, 2012 5:00 pmAlaska Treasure Seekers 36th Annual Metal Detecting Hunt The Alaska Treasure Seekers Society is dedicated to family outings in search of lost or discarded items from the past. The club hosts a spring and fall hunt and an annual treasure hunt, open to everyone. At the Annual hunt you would use your metal detector to find coins and tokens to trade for prizes ranging anywhere from new hats to new metal detectors. information contact Cathy at (907) 696-1910 or e-mail [email protected].
■July 11, 2012 7:00 pm - July 11, 2012 10:00 pm 907 Barrel Racers Association Join the 907 Barrel Racers Association for some Barrel Racing and Pole Bend-ing fun! Our mission is to provide barrel racers with a local organization that will promote the sport of barrel racing and its growth.www.907barrelracers.org.
All Year EventsThe Alaska State Fair Inc. is a non-profitProduce a traditional State Fair which educates and enter-tains Fairgoers; Provide stable finances through good business practices, statewide outreach, partnerships and hosting a variety of community, cultural, and business events.
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■July 20, 2012 5:00 pm - July 21, 2012 10:00 amCardboard City 2012 Family Promise Mat-Su invites you to join in the fun! Come out, Sleep out, attend Cardboard City and help to raise awareness for the homeless. Register to participate in Cardboard City and help Family Promise Mat-Su raise funds for the homeless people of the Matanuska Valley, Friday, July 20, 2012. Bring your Cardboard box and spend the night for a good cause! Experience what it may be like to be homeless; be creative and have a blast while making your home out of a cardboard box. Live music, soup kitchen, contest, and prizes along with outreach
■August 17, 2012 12:00 pm - August 17, 2012 3:00 pmMVPA 2012 ALASKA HIGHWAY CONVOY CELEBRATING the 70th ANNIVERSARY of the BUILDING of the ALASKA HIGHWAY Members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association in historic military vehicles to celebrate this 70th Anniversary. 4,100 miles/6,600 km in 27 Days, Watch for the convoy when it travels through our area!
■September 14, 2012 7:00 pm - September 14, 2012 10:00 pm907 Barrel Racers Association Come join the 907 Barrel Racers Association for some Barrel Racing and Pole Bending fun! Our mission is to provide barrel racers with a local or-ganization that will promote the sport of barrel racing and its growth. www.907barrelracers.org. ■October 19, 2012 6:00 pm - October 20, 2012 10:00 pm2012 Mighty Matanuska Brewfest 2012 Mighty Matanuska Brewfest presented by Alaska State Fair, Inc. Raven Hall, Come share your thoughts about the different brewed spectacu-lars while enjoying the company of your friends with live music, food vendors, and over 50 different beers for your sampling.
■October 27, 2012 -October 28, 2012 11:59 pm2012 Holiday Bazaar Raven Hall
Palmer Fair
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Inside each of us is a creative nature. Humans thrive on mak-ing, building, improving, and reorganizing the endless combina-tions of elements provided for our use.
Art is found in the synergy of plants in a garden or the color, size & texture of canned goods in jars arranged on hand hewn shelves. Art is the expression of your passions in decorating your home or crafting the entire structure from a mere dream.
Some of the most interesting art comes from people, places or substances we might not have ever considered.
Your art is your expression. No one can take that away from you. If you like it, if it is pleasant to you then celebrate your creation. We praise our children’s creative attempts, do the same for yourself. Ignite your inner artist.
Exodus 35:31-32 And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with
intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze,
Inner Artist Resources for Learning:
• Cooperative Extension Service
◊ Foods◊ Gardens◊ Childrens crafts◊ Home & energy
• Fabric, yarn & quilt stores• Hardware & home im-provement stores• Craft supply stores• Art supply stores• Farm & garden supply stores• Writing clubs & book stores• Public library• Arts organizations & clubs• Univ of AK (UAA, UAF, UAS)• Alaska Botanical Garden• Museums & Cultural • centers
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CreateAnnual Calls for ArtDeadlines (approximate)January: Seward Silver Salmon Derby logo Seward Mt. Marathon Race logoFebruary: Alaska Railroad art print contestMarch Wildlife Forever, State-Fish Art grades K-12, done in all states.April: Goliath Shirt, Resurrection Roadhouse, Seward May: Fur Rondy logo designJuly: Art For Alaska Parks www.artforalaskaparks.comNovember: Copper River Reds on the Run, Cordova
Family After All: Alaska's Jesse Lee Home has been honored with the Alaska Historical Society's "Contributions to Alaska History" award in addition to BAIPA's 2010 "Best Regional History" recognition. Volume II of Family After All was also nominated for the Alaska Library Association's “Alaskana Award.” The Qutekcak Native Tribe of Seward calls Family After All “a testament to the survival and persistence of today’s Alaska Native elders. [It] has brought history to life for our children. …” NOTE: The Puyallup Tribe of Wash-ington state hopes to hear from people, including Alaskans, with experiences in boarding schools and other vital his-tory for tribal archives. Details at www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/732, or call Amber Santiago at 253/573-7965.
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The Art of Fish
Fish Follies Juried Art Show, CordovaJune 2012
Juneau Spring King Salmon DerbyMay 2012
Seward Halibut TournamentJune 2012
Seward Silver Salmon DerbyAugust 2012
Whittier Fishing DerbiesMay-September
While fishing derbies are not generally thought of in connection with the arts, we can make a case for it.
Many fishing derbies or festivals areannual community events that have a variety of
activities for people of diverse interests. Often there is an arts & crafts componant to the
event. And almost always, there is a poster design contest that stimulates the creative processes.
In any event, browsing the galleries & shops is a great way to unwind after a hard day of fishing or
while waiting for a fisher “person” to return.
Mosaic fish courtesy of Cammie Walker
www.DLWagner.com
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Fish & Fowl
art courtesy ofwww.dlwagner.com
Bird Festivals
Alaska Hummingbird Festival - Ketchikan, Alaska April, 2012
Stikine River Birding Festival - Wrangell, AK April 26th-29th, 2012
Spring Migration Celebration - Fairbanks, Alaska April 28th, 2012
Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival - Cordova, AK
May 3rd-6th 2012
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival - Homer, AK May 10th-13th, 2012
Upper Tanana Migratory Bird Festival - Tok, AK May 12, 2012
Kenai Birding Festival - Kenai, AK May 17th-20th, 2012
Yakutat Tern Festival - Yakutat, AK May 31st - June 3rd 2012
Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival - Fairbanks, Alaska
August 26th-28th 2012
Alaska Bald Eagle Festival - Haines, AK November 14th-18th, 2012
Did You Know?The willow ptarmigan is Alaska’s state bird.
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2012 Summer Traditional Music Festivals - Alaska and the Yukon
April 9-15, 2012 - Alaska Folk Festi-val - in Juneau every April. April 20, 2012 - Skagway Interna-tional Folk Festival - in Skagway, Alaska the weekend or two after the Alaska Folk Fest. International be-cause a lot of musicians and attend-ees come from Canada, Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory in particular. June 8-9, 2012 - Chickenstock Music Festival -June 8-10, 2012 - Kenai River Festi-val - celebrating keeping the Kenai River healthy. June 9, 2012 - Fairbanks Summer Folk Fest - at the Borealis Pavilion at Alaskaland/Pioneer Park. Contact June 15-17, 2012 - Granite Creek Music Festival (Sutton, east of Palmer on Glenn Hwy). June 21-24, 2012 - Seldovia's Sum-mer Solstice Music Festival featured Outside and Alaskan artists and a beautiful setting. July 6-8, 2012 - Girdwood Forest Fair just south of Anchorage, has a bunch of music, not exclusively folk styles, but a healthy potpourri. Info on the music, July 20-22, 2012 - Dawson City Mu-sic Festival, held the second to last weekend in July, bringing a lg influx into this small Yukon community.
July 15-29, 2012 - Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival is broad-ening its reach into more trad. music with a first week of an American Roots Series and also Slovenian accordion classes. Actually, there is quite a diversity of music and arts at this two week long event. July 27-29, 2012 - Anderson Bluegrass Festival - near Clear Air Force Station off the Parks Hwy mile 283. July 28-29, 2012 - Homer Con-cert on the Lawn - a two day af-fair the last weekend of July with Sunday's concert broadcast live over KBBI. August 18-19, 2012 - Kantishna Music Festival - At Kantishna Air Taxi, Denali Park AK Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2012 - Acous-tic Alaska Guitar Camp held in Wasilla.
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Music
Music Trivia:What does SDG mean that is used on many compositions by Bach, Handel & Gaupner?
Answer:Soli Deo gloria is a Latin term for Glory to God alone. It means es-sentially that everything that is done is for God’s glory to the exclusion of humankind’s self-glorification and pride. Christians are to be moti-vated and inspired by God’s glory and not their own.
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” -- Berthold Auerbach
“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” --Johann Sebastian Bach
“Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.” -- Ludwig van Beethoven
“Music can change the world. “ -- Ludwig Van Beethoven
“Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknow-able.” -- Leonard Bernstein
“Music has to breathe and sweat. You have to play it live. “ -- James Brown
“Music is well said to be the speech of angels.” -- Thomas Carlyle
“All music comes from God.” -- Johnny Cash
“If you learn music, you’ll learn most all there is to know. “ -- Edgar Cayce
”Music is spiritual. The music business is not. “ -- Van Morrison
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Jun 16 & 17, 2012 Garden Fair & Garden Art Show, Alaska Botanical Garden, Anchorage, 15th annual
June 8-July 7, 2012 Sitka Music Festival
June 8-10, 2012 - Kenai River Festival
June 9, 2012 - Fairbanks Summer Folk Fest
June 21-24, 2012 - Seldovia’s Summer Solstice Music Festival
June 30, 2012 Scottish Highland Games, Eagle River
July 6-8, 2012 - Girdwood Forest Fair
July 11-15, 2012 The Chugiak-Eagle River Bear Paw Festival
August 11-12, 2012 Blueberry Festival, Girdwood
Aug. 27 -29. 2012 Fungus Fair, Girdwood
2013
Feb 22-Mar 3 Fur Rondy “premier winter festival in the world”
April 8-14, 2013 Alaska Folk Festival - in Juneau every April.
April ??- Skayway International Folk Festival the weekend or two after the Alaska Folk Fest. International because a lot of musicians and attendees come from Canada,
Annual Happenings
1 Chronicles 15:16 David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
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Events4th of JulyAlaskans love to celebrate the 4th of July. Many communities have annual events during the 4th. To name a few:
Anchorage --Delaney Parkstrip, vendors, activities, entertainment & parade. Seward--Mt. Marathon Race & events Whittier--Community picnic, parade & events Wrangell--Street Booths, Parade, Triathlon, Scrap Fish Derby, Log Rolling, Big Wheel Races, Canoe Races, Picnic, Gravity Races, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Talent Show, Coronation Ball, Fun Run/Walk/Ride, Logging Show, Toddler Games, Street Games, Egg Toss, Golf, Live Music, and an awesome FIREWORKS SHOW!
Whittier Alaska, July 4, 2011photo courtesy of David Wagner, www.DavidWagner.smugmug.comfor reprints contact: [email protected]
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1% For ArtIn 1975, the Alaska Legislature passed the Percent for Art in Public Places statute requiring the expenditure of one percent of the capital construction costs of public buildings for the acquisition and perma-nent installation of artwork. The Percent for Art Program is managed in conjunction with the Department of Transportation to achieve the following objectives:
• to provide access to works of art in public spaces; • to offer a variety of visual experiences in varied styles, methods
and medium to further humanize our man-made surroundings with the artistic statements of living artists;
• to provide a supportive working environment and the opportu-nity for personal creative accomplishment;
• to contribute to the development and recognition of a profes-sional artistic community;
• and to accomplish broad cultural goals by introducing new visual ideas to the general public
ALASKA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS - ASCAMissionThe Alaska State Council on the Arts is a state agency that fosters the development of the arts for all Alaskans through education, partnerships, grants and ser-vices.Program Areas• Arts In Education• Native Arts• Visual Arts• Performing Arts• Literature
1% For Art CitiesMunicipality of Anchorage
Juneau
2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason,I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you.
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Public ArtOn September 20, 2003 the City of Seward unveiled a bust of William H. Seward, donated by First National Bank Alaska to commem-orate the city’s 100th anniversary.
The unveiling took place during Seward’s annual Railroad Days cel-ebration, and vari-ous public officials, Alaska Railroad officers and promi-nent business people from the Railbelt attended.
The bust of Seward, designed and sculpt-ed by Seward artist Dennis Treadwell, was unveiled at the park next to First National’s branch in that town, where it will be permanently displayed. The bank donated $10,000 for the commission of the work.
William H. Seward was U.S. Secre-tary of State from 1860 to 1868 and a major force in the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. As detailed on the bust’s plaque, when Seward was asked what was the most
significant act of his career, he replied, “The purchase of Alaska! But it will take a generation to find out.”
Established in 1922, FNB is the largest Alaskan owned and operated bank.
photo courtesy of First National Bank
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Diversity & Respect1 Corinthians 12 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
Don’t Be Mean
Art is so subjective that it isn’t uncom-mon for people or groups to think that “they” know what art is and isn’t and feel free to criticize others.
What parent would deny that the smudged and rumpled papers on the refridgerator were anything but the world’s greatest art!
So, be nice, if you don’t like something or don’t “get it”, respect the efforts and ideas of the one who cre-ated it, politely.
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those
who mind don't matter and those who matter don't
mind.” Dr. Seuss
Follow Your DreamsMany famous people failed numerous times prior to their ultimate success.Albert Einstein: teachers & parents thought he was mentally handicapped and he was expelled from school, won the Nobel Prize and changed modern physics. Henry Ford: went broke 5 times before he founded the Ford Motor Co.Oprah Winfrey: had a rough & abusive childhood & was fired from her job as a television reporter because she was “unfit for tv.”Theodor Seuss Giesel: 27 publishers rejected Dr. Seuss’s 1st book.Stephen King: got 30 rejections of 1st book, wife took out of trash to submitMichael Jordon: was cut from his high school basketball team
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Many galleries are accessible via their website and so their physical location is not necessarily an important factor, but we have grouped them by geographic area for ease of identification.
South Central: Anchorage, Girdwood, Seward, Homer, Whittier & Kenai
Peninsula
South East: Haines, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Extreme Dreams, Haines
7 miles south on the only road!John & Sharon Svenson (907)766-2097
http://www.extremedreams.com/
Interior: Fairbanks, TalkeetnaNorth Gulf Coast: Valdez, CordovaAll Other Areas: Barrow, Nome, Dillingham
Let us know who your favorite galleries are and let them know you’d like to see them listed here next time.
Galleries
www.ArtistsAlaska.com
GalleriesGalleries
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July 2012 HomerHomer Street Faire, July 21 www.homerart.org
October 2012 FairbanksGo Winter! Expo at Carlson Center, October 13 & 14 Inside & out winter activities for the whole family www.fairbanksevents.com
November 2012 WasillaMat-Su Holiday Market Place, Menard Sports Center, November 5 & 6Christmas gift shopping extravaganza www.fairbanksevents.com
FairbanksFairbanks Holiday Marketplace, Carlson Center, November 9, 10, 11Christmas gift shopping extravaganza www.fairbanksevents.com
December 2012Anchorage
UAA Crafts Fair held the first Saturday of December, 10 am – 5 pm at the University of Alaska Anchorage Student Union [email protected] http://belong.uaa.alaska.edu
HomerNutcraker Faire at Homer High School, December 1 & 2 www.homerart.org
March 2013 FairbanksIABA Home Show at Carlson Center, March 22, 23, and 24Northern living home resources, ideas, vendorswww.fairbanksevents.com
April 2013 FairbanksA Woman’s Affair, April 5, 6, and 7 at the Carlson CenterEverything for and about women! www.fairbanksevents.com
Arts & Craft Fairs
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UniqueUniquely Alaskan . . .
That’s a good way to describe many artists that live and work in the remote or rural areas of Alaska.
Miles of Alaska says. . .Not just art but a way of life. Not just raw materi-als but a way of thinking. I set out when young in life to figure out what it is I enjoy doing, then finding a money angle. I became an Alaska frontiersman- trapper, mountain man, hermit. Dogsled was my only transportation. No ID, no phone, no credit card. It was the Alaska dream that I turned into a real-ity.
A subsistence life off the land requires buying a few basics. Selling art
and related raw materials began paying the bills. The nomadic lifestyle on a houseboat I lived for 25 years introduced me to many Indians in remote villages who eventually supplied me with wolf claws, musk ox horns, and other ‘things from the land’; I sell an d use in my art. I ended up settling down in Nenana Alaska in a 1916 log home with a shop and electricity. I now run a web store with 46 pages and over 1,000 items of-fered at any given time. Making custom knives is my passion right now,
with acid etched wilder-ness scenes in the hand forged steel. There is usually a story behind the materials I find my-self or acquire from the remote villages. I custom cast hand carved guards by lost wax using old copper water pipes and wore out bronze barge propellers from the Yukon River. www.milesofalaska.net & [email protected].
Mobile Art Gallery & Studio
Charlotte Town is the owner of a uniquely Alaskan business called “Alaska Sex Stones Studio”. She turned an ‘87 ambulance into her mo-bile art gallery and you may see her in Whittier, Girdwood, Anchorage or along the Seward Highway. All of her work is one of a kind, made in Alaska. Look for her in your travels . . . a website is in the [email protected] or (907)337-7514
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Alaska Department of Education & Early Development Alaska 2000 Content Standards For The Arts
The arts disciplines included in the Alaska Content Standards for the Arts are dance, drama, music, and the literary and visual arts. While recognizing the vast differences among the art forms and applauding the work done in the National Fine Arts Standards, the Alaska 2000 Arts Standards Development Committee chose to focus on the con-nections between the arts and other curricular areas rather than on the separate disciplines.
The study of the arts is essential to a basic education. Civilizations are remembered by their arts the richest and most far-reaching expressions of human creativity, thought, and emotion. We know of no culture to which the arts were not paramount; this has been true of civilizations from prehistoric times until today. Therefore, every Alaskan student must have experience in arts production, arts history/culture, arts criticism/analysis, and aesthetics. Arts education must be delivered in sequential, disciplined, quality programs in every school in Alaska if our students are to have a complete education and compete in a broad-ening world.
The arts are unique in that they encourage many fine academic traits in children while allowing open-ended, creative work. The arts require self-discipline, perseverance, and hard work. They help children build basic thinking skills and develop problem-posing and problem-solving abilities. Statistically, students involved in arts classes score higher on nationally scored exams than students who are not. Further, the arts promote skills necessary to the workplace, such as the abilities to work with others and to manage time and resources. The arts illustrate the universality of creative expression, and cross-cultural understanding is often developed through the study of the arts. But most of all, the arts ask children to develop their own responses to questions. This is unusual in our educational system and requires courage to act when the possibility of failure is quite real. In fact, the arts mimic life in that success may only be achieved after a very long, sustained effort; failure is seen as a step in the learning process.
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Ride The TrainMake Memories for a lifetime
Art available from [email protected]
or www.DavidWagner.
smugmug.com
Train
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Western Artby Marie
for prints or more information, contactMarie at [email protected] http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/marie-wagner.html
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Doug Briney, the Northern Cowboy, is a two-time finalist in the KBear Country Idol competition in Anchorage, Alaska. His warm baritone voice and delivery have been compared to Toby Keith and Trace Adkins, among others. For more information, please visit www.dougbriney.com.
Western
Alex Kime & Alaska Horsemen, Cooper Landing
Real Country
“Country” and “Western” aren’t often associated with
Alaska, but they are very much a part of our history
& experience.
The Matanuska Valley was settled by farmers and is
still very rural.
Hunters, fishermen & miners have all used pack
animals to explore this great land.
Although all kinds of mu-sic are popular in Alaska,
country/western & bluegrass are big.
Alaska is very much a melting pot and settlers,
old & new, bring thier cul-ture and tastes with them to blend into the Alaskan
experience.
Artist, Marie Wagner came to Alaska 30+ years ago from the Southwest & Midwest and has brought her love of those lifestyles
to her art.
Western
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Petroglyphs in Alaska?
Few people know that Alaska has “Rock Art”. Fewer still are the people who have seen it. There has been prehistoric rock art found in most states and areas around the world including Alaska.
A few years ago, the National Park Service invited a respected professor to visit the rock shelters of Tuxedni & Clam Cove in Southern Alaska. The area was first discovered by anthropologists in the 1930’s.
Some of the figures seemed to resemble whales, so she associated the art with whalers and shamans, an interpretation that has stood the test of time. The paintings appear to be of a considerable antiquity. They were certainly not the work of the local Athabaskan-speaking Dena’ina people.
Since it’s discovery , few people visited Tuxedni over the next four de-cades. Then, in 1976, the Cook Inlet Region Incorporated selected this shelter and the Clam Cove site, as significant historical places under the Alaska Native Land Claims Act. Four years later, the two locations be-came part of the newly formed Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Since then, the National Park Service has recorded both shelters with drawings and photographs and has developed a conservation plan for the paintings. In 2001, archaeologists carried out a detailed study of the sites, which provided us with an admirable guide to the paintings. The images in the pictographs include whales, birds, humans, kayaks and many geometric shapes such as dots & dashes.
Archaeologists working in the 1960s and 70s found boulders adorned with petroglyphs at three different lake front sites in what is now the No-atak National Preserve in Northwest Alaska. This area in the middle of the Brooks Range, NE of Kotzebue is extremely remote and hard to get to. The rock art remained on location, unobserved for almost 40 years until the summer of 2011,when a team from the University of Alaska Museum of the North and the National Park Service assembled to create a permanant record with sketches and tracings.
Petroglyphs are much more common in South East Alaska, but there is m more to be discovered in the interior.
Cave Art
www.ArtAlaska.info 33
First FridaysOver the past 20 years the idea of having a monthly event to bring
people into downtown areas or to serve as a business networking event has grown in popularity.
Many cities, large and small accross the country have some version of this concept. Some are held on the First Friday of the month, others are First Thursday and others are the First Saturday.
This is usually a very fun event generally including new exhibits at local art galleries and an “art walk”. Many Alaskan communites participate in this type of event. Some are year round others are seasonal. Most are held primarialy in the downtown areas. More information may be available from participants.,
Anchorage-year round Friday 5:30-7:30
Homer Friday 5:00 - 7:00
Juneau - year round Friday 4:30-7:00
Ketchikan- year round EVERY Friday
Seward - summer only Friday(let us know if your town has a monthly “art walk” and who to contact for info.)
Art Walks
Join us every Friday from May 11th-August 17th
10-5pm
Art Alaska Style 2012-201334
Partnering with individuals, businesses, and organizations to make the arts & cultural resources available to the people and communities
around Prince William Sound and the Chugach National Forest.
"To encourage & promote the arts for the people and communities in and around the Chugach National Forest"
Portage ValleyWhittier
GirdwoodCordovaTatitlikEyakHope
Moose PassCooper Landing
SewardChenegaValdez
FestivalsExhibitsClasses
WorkshopsResourcesFacilitiesEvents
Education
For more information,to join or support,
visitwww.ChugachArtsCouncil.org
www.ArtAlaska.info 35
Letter from the publisher:
We make every effort to provide accuate infor-mation but please verify dates & times before traveling to or for an event. Many businesses in Alaska are seasonal (summer) and some take the liberty of casual hours.
We invite your comments and input so that this might be a most useful and relevant publication for residents, visitors and those in the arts communities.
Sincerely,
Marie Wagner, Wagner Design
InvitationRing of Fire GemsStunning gemstones
from the volcanic elements of the
Pacific Ring of Fire
Colors of the Aurora Borealis
Gold or Silver mountsGreen, Rose, Lavender
623-703-8890www.SidekickTours.com
Catalog available
Art Alaska Style 2012-201336
The Emerald Isle Writers Conference will be August 6th through the 11th. There will be workshops for all ages. The conference is geared to both those who write regularly and those who are just beginning. Everyone is encouraged to participate as it is sure to offer insight & inspiration.
There will be 3 visiting professors. Tia Woods, a writer & English professor from Houston TX will be teaching most of the youthworkshops.
Melissa Brandt will be teaching the screen writing workshop. Nate
Lefoutiller will teach the adult prose workshop and is teaching one of the kid workshops. He is a professor at Minnesota State University.
There will be workshops covering creative writing, poetry, play writ-ing and writing from life. The cost is $10 per workshop for the youth. The adult workshops are $25 each or 3 for $65.
In addition to the Emerald Isle Writer’s Conference, the Kodiak Arts Council is sponsoring a writ-ers contest. The contest has three categories, flash fiction, short story and poetry. There are no theme or genre restrictions. The visiting professors will be the judges. For more information contact the Kodiak Arts Council
Member Organizations•ChiniakArtWorks•FairwindPlayers•Fiddleheads•GoldenTones•GreenStringBand •IsleBells•KodiakCommu-nity Choir•KodiakCommu-nity Orchestra•KodiakCommu-
nity Theater•KodiakFiberArtists•KodiakFilm-Works•KodiakIslandBear Paw Quilters’ Guild•KodiakMulticul-tural Forum•KodiakRussianBalalaika Players•KodiakWhaleFest•MadeInKodiak
KODIAK
www.ArtAlaska.info 37
WritingAlaska Writers Guild
The mission of the Alaska Writers Guild is to educate and inform beginning, intermediate, and published writers throughout their creative process to become published authors and increase their sales.
The guild’s monthly meeting and pro-gram will be held on the third Tuesday of every month at the Loussac Libray in Anchorage.
Alaska Writers Conference 2012
September 7, 8, & 9
Coast International Inn 3450 Aviation Ave Anchorage
Captain Cooks BooksIn the “Harbor Triangle”
Whittier, AlaskaBooks, Identification Guides, Maps, Unique Gifts, T-Shirts, Hats, Gloves and Sunglasses907-472-2636
Kachemak Bay Writers ConferenceJune 8-12 2012Sponsored by Kachemak Bay Campus - Kenai Peninsula College /UAA
Held at Lands End Re-sort in Homer, Alaska, this nationally recognized writing conference fea-tures workshops, read-ings and panel presenta-tions in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and the busi-ness of writing. Make plans for next year!
Art Alaska Style 2012-201338
Cooperative Extension Servicewww.uaf.edu/ces/Paint, Paste, Playdough, Puppets & Paper Mache pdf
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/frameworks/arts/2table.htm
Chugach & Tongass Forest Eventshttp://www.myalaskaforests.com/p/iyf-events.html
Alaska State Council on the Artshttp://www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca/
David Wagner, Artistwww.DLWagner.com
David Wagner, Art & Photographywww.DavidWagner.smugmug.com
Sidekick Tourswww.Sidekicktours.com
Cave Art Printingwww.CaveArtPrinting.com
Federal Trade Commissionbuying Alaska Native Arthttp://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro05.shtm
To live means to create Milton Steinberg
(1903 - 1950) an American rabbi, philosopher, theologian and author.
More Information
www.ArtAlaska.info 39
Lodging
Art courstesy of David Wagner, Whittier is Prettierwww.DavidWagner.smugmug.com
Quotes on ArtIt is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. Albert Einstein
In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine. Ralph Waldo Emerson
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. Aristotle
True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist. Albert Einstein
The essence of all art is to have pleasure in giving pleasure. Dale Carnegie
Art is never finished, only abandoned. Leonardo da Vinci
Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the critic. Ambrose Bierce
Artists can color the sky red because they know it’s blue. Those of us who aren’t artists must color things the way they really are or people might think we’re stupid. Jules Feiffer
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23
If you hear a voice within you saying, “You are not a painter.” Then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. Vincent Van Gogh