Art
QUEST FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
One day before the start of the Yukon Quest, downtown starts the party early with a full-bodied shot of artistic expression in the heart of the city! This month, listen to a traditional Japanese drum performance and view charcoal illustrations of world travels along with handmade snowshoes and fur clothing. Admire bright, bold strokes that harness the energy and joy of a dog team while learning about the history of mushing in Fairbanks. Handle handmade Alaskan jewelry and ask an artist about his unusual medium of choice- painting with vodka, gin, and coffee. Stop into an open house for a tour of the historic former Courthouse building, with spaces available to rent. Make it a weekend downtown, and kick it off with First Friday in February!
“Nature Photography,” by Roger M. Marty @ Frank’s Menswear, 535 3rd Avenue
Tin Cup Designs by Kristin Summerlin @ Alaskan Gold Rush Fine Jewelry, 531 2nd Avenue
Handcrafted Jewelry Made in Alaska @ If Only… a fine store, 215 Cushman Street
Handmade Native Art @ Beads and Things , 137 2nd Avenue
“Lima, Oscar, Victor, Echo” @ Fairbanks Veterans Center, 540 4th Avenue, Suite 100
New Artists @ Gallery 49, 535 2nd Avenue, Suite 103
Laura Nutter @ Fox Realty, 1121 1st Avenue
Iris J.W. Sutton, Color of Winter @ Fairbanks Community Museum, 410 Cushman Street
ReUse, RePurpose, ReCreate @ Lady Lee’s Bath House Emporium, 825 1st Avenue
Amanda Gecas, Laura Sample & George Yaska @ Morris Thompson Center, 101 Dunkle Avenue
Best Friends Forever, Part 2 & Winter’s Flow @ S Salon & Studio, 901 Cushman Street
Yelena Petkova & Music by Michela Miller @ Chartreuse, 729 1st Avenue
Gramma Nanook’s First Friday Art Show @ Julia’s Solstice Café, 206 Driveway Street
Winter Flavors @ Alana’s Espresso Escape, 535 2nd Avenue, Suite 101
Open House @ Courthouse Square
Explore Alaska: Jujiro Wada @ Morris Thompson Center, 101 Dunkle Avenue
Clarence Pate Project @ Gambardella’s Pasta Bella
Live Jazz @ Bobby’s Downtown, 609 2nd Avenue
Sand Castle @ McCafferty’s, A Coffee House, Etc., 408 Cushman Street
Weekend Entertainment @ The Big I Pub & Lounge, 122 N Turner Street
Art
CLOSET ARTISTS AT CO-OP ARTS
Co-Op Arts is opening its doors and walls to artists of all stripes and ages in preparation for the second annual “Closet Artists” show, debuting on First Friday.
“Closet Artists” is a chance for the gallery to bring in fresh, new pieces from a wide variety of community members, and for amateur artists to exhibit their work in a professional gallery, often for the first time. The idea began as a way to mix up the cooperatively-owned gallery’s composition during January when business is often slow, says Gallery Manager Ken Kokjer.
Last year’s rendition was tremendously successful, with 75 pieces exhibited from 20+ artists. The owners of Co-Op Arts (also on Facebook) decided to make it an annual event soon after.
Pieces have already begun pouring in for the First Friday show on January 6th, which owners expect to grow in size and submissions from last year.
Julene Lowdermilk submitted the above photograph, titled “Just Because,” for what will be her debut exhibit after years of taking photos as a hobby. She was coaxed into submitting four pieces by a close friend.
“I’ve taken photos for a long time and I usually think I’m the only one who likes them,” Julene admits. “I worked in the art department at UAF for eight years but didn’t take a single class,” because she fretted that her work wasn’t good enough.
Julene’s story of this photograph shows how creative and passionate Closet Artists can prove to be.
“I had received some flowers and to be honest, I don’t even remember why—if it was a special occasion or what—but I have a fetish for taking photos of flowers. I like to try different things, like taking photos of the inside or just part of the flower,” Julene describes. She says the black backdrop of this photo is a refrigerator that used to be in her home.
“I’m born and raised in Fairbanks and the Co-Op (Plaza) has been here as long as I have, so it’s pretty cool to have my first show there,” Julene adds.
Fairbanksans can submit up to five pieces of artwork in any medium and must include a $5 entry fee per submission along with the gallery’s online entry form. The final chance to submit work is today from noon- 5:30pm. All ages, experience levels, and mediums are welcome. Last year’s show featured acrylic, watercolor, ceramics, fused glass, wire form, photography, and a diorama made from found materials. Show-goers select a “People’s Choice” winner, whose work is showcased in the gallery for two weeks.
“We encourage people to bring all their cousins and family (to the show) and stuff the ballot box,” Ken jokes.
Closet Artists will be on display at Co-Op Arts for at least a week, but First Friday is the best time to check it out so that you can cast your vote, get first dibs on any piece you’d like to purchase, and hit other exhibits on the downtown art circuit. Not all pieces will be for sale (that decision is up to the artist), but Ken says several pieces did sell in last year’s show.
Ken also says the gallery is always looking for new talent, and the Closet Artists show might spark relationships that bring permanent new artists into the Co-Op Arts rotation.
When:
Friday, January 6th 5:00pm-8:00pm
Where:
Co-Op Arts
Co-Op Plaza
535 2nd Avenue, Suite 103
Phone:
(907)452-2787
Art
Artists at Work @ Beads & Things
Each Saturday of the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice, Beads and Things (2nd Ave, in Co-Op Plaza) will host Native Alaskan artists to meet with customers, explain their techniques, and demonstrate traditional crafts from beadwork to using materials like ivory and sealskin. One artist specializes in yo-yos.
When:
Saturday, December 3rd @ Noon-5:00pm
Saturday, December 10th @ Noon-5:00pm
Saturday, December 17th @ Noon-5:00pm
Where:
Beads and Things
537 2nd Avenue
Phone:
(907)456-2323
Art
GLITZ FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN
Holiday anticipation, cheer, and a welcome Chinook wind warm the December air during First Friday for the return of signature candlelight shopping, a birch-inspired jewelry showcase at a new First Friday venue, and an annual earring sale. Old Thyme Fairbanks is memorialized in watercolor at the Fairbanks Community Museum, while photography lines the walls of an upscale menswear store and hair salon. Unique handmade raven sculptures commemorate perhaps our most famous northern bird. And for those who can’t splurge on gifts this year, a fine art gallery is hosting an affordable sale with items priced as low as $1.00. Join us on the streets for December First Friday!
Book Signing @ Arctic Travelers Gift Shop, 201 Cushman Street
Tom & Nelda Nixon and Matt Moberly @ Fairbanks Community Museum, 410 Cushman Street
Latte Art @ Alana’s Espresso Escape, 535 2nd Avenue, Suite 101
Annual Candlelight Shopping Event @ If Only… a fine store, 215 Cushman Street
Wildlife Photography by Coby Brock @ Frank’s Menswear, 535 3rd Avenue, Suite B
Tin Cup Designs @ Alaskan Gold Rush Fine Jewelry, 531 2nd Avenue
Affordable & Unique @ Co-Op Arts, 535 2nd Avenue, Suite 103
Jess Peña & Charms by CJ @ Chartreuse, 729 1st Avenue
Phillip Carrico’s “From Palette to Palate” @ S Salon & Studio, 901 Cushman Street
Glenna Gannon @ Alaska House Art Gallery, 1003 Cushman Street
Holiday Art Bazaar @ Morris Thompson Center, 101 Dunkel Street
Alaskan Outpost Photo Fundraiser @ Space for Movement Studio, 410 2nd Avenue
Annie Sargent & Lois Hardesty @ Beads and Things, 537 2nd Avenue
Jordan Melendez @ Hair, Body and Sol, 1221 Noble Street
Raven Spirts by Mary Anne Fortune @ Lady Lee’s Bath House Emporium, 825 1st Avenue
Annual Earring Sale @ The Cat’s Meow, 212 Lacey Street
Live Jazz @ Bobby’s Downtown, 609 2nd Avenue
Sand Castle @ McCafferty’s, A Coffee House, Etc., 408 Cushman Street
Weekend Entertainment @ The Big I Pub & Lounge, 122 N Turner Street
Arly—Jylz @ Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Q, 107 Wickersham Street
Art
Pin-Ups & Purses @ Chartresue
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
When:
First Friday, June 3rd, 2011- 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Where:
Chartreuse
729 1st Avenue
Art
“Living Narratives,” Amy Komar @ Alaska House Art Gallery
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
AMY KOMAR
Living Narratives
When:
First Friday, June 3rd, 2011- 5:00pm -8:00pm
Where:
Alaska House Art Gallery
1003 Cushman Street
Art
Sculptural Works of Light and Steel @ l’assiette de Pomegranate
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
Sculptural Works of Light and Steel
by Hanna Adelina Stevenson
When:
First Friday, June 3rd, 2011- 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Where:
l’assiette de Pomegranate
414 2nd Avenue
Art
S SALON & STUDIO
S Salon & Studio
901 Cushman Street, 907.374.3181
Escape to S Salon for an innovative, yet classy hair style or cut. Our new, modern salon has reasonably-priced, effective products by Paul Mitchell, S Factor and Tigi. Our downtown salon features Alaskan artwork and celebrates First Friday. Whether you are seeking a professional look, rock star chic or a carefree Alaskan style, S Salon & Studio is the place to be. Open year-round. Hours 9am-6pm, Tues-Sat or by appointment.
Art
IF ONLY… A FINE STORE
If Only…a fine store
215 Cushman Street, 907.452.6659
A must-see favorite of locals and visitors. Owned and operated by Alaskan women, If Only… features works of many artisans from Alaska, the Lower 48 and Canada. Handcrafted jewelry, Vera Bradley handbags, pens, cards and journals are included in an upbeat mix of great finds. Meet Martha, Fairbanks’ Folk Art Ambassador. She’s life sized and a great photo opportunity. Visit us online at IfOnlyAlaska.com. Jun-Aug Hours 10am-8pm, Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm, Sun May & Sept Hours 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm, Sun Oct-Dec Hours 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm, Sun Jan-Apr Hours 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat; closed Sun
Learn more about If Only.. a Fine Store or visit them on Facebook.
Art
CO-OP ARTS
Co-Op Arts
535 2nd Avenue, Suite 103, 907.452.2787
Located in the heart of downtown, Fairbanks’ newest fine art gallery offers only works by local artists. Alaskan subjects predominate, but you can find images from around the world in the paintings and photographs. Silver and fused-glass jewelry displayed alongside scrimshaw on fossilized ivory. Beautiful and functional pottery adorns shelves around the gallery. Wearable fabrics hang in drapes of lovely color. Come find the perfect Alaskan memento! Summer Hours 10am-8pm, Mon-Sat; 10am-4pm, Sun Winter Hours 11am-6pm, Mon-Fri; 11am-5pm, Sat; closed Sun
Learn more about Co-Op Arts or visit them on Facebook.
