Winter Moon Metals Fireweed Gallery presents “Winter Moon Metals,” hand-wrought  jewelry by Homer’s Mary Huff of Salty Girls. Mary hammers and etches sterling silver and copper metals and combines them with the moody bluesy gemstones of labradorite, moonstone and aquamarine. She then takes it a step further and mixes in the natural materials of wood, bone, and shell, resulting in jewelry that is earthy and organic—uniquely Mary and entirely wearable.
The exhibit opens with a reception 4-7 p.m. Friday and will remain in the gallery through Feb. 29. For more information please call 235-3411 or visit us on the web at fireweedgallery.com. Fireweed Gallery, the Essence of Art in Homer, 475 E Pioneer Ave., art@fireweedgallery.com.

Out on a Limb
At Ptarmigan Art’s, the Back Room Gallery presents: “Out On A Limb” with a First Friday Opening 5-7 p.m. Friday. In this exhibit, 10 Ptarmigan Arts artists will present their solutions for cabin fever with their wild and whacky winter blues art work. In other words, some of the artists went “out on a limb” while others stayed traditional, but artists predict patrons will enjoy these new works and fun installations.
Participating artists are Kathi Drew, Jelena Fliehman, Deb Lowney, Gary Lyon, Cindy Nelson, Marali Sargeant-Smith, and Toby Tyler. Collaborating installation artists are Marilee Dupree and Linda Skelton, with installation by Jean Steele.

Native art at Bunnell
“Things are looking Native, Natives looking Whiter” is an installation by Nicholas Galanin, a Tlingit/Aleut/ Multi-Disciplinary Artist, at Bunnell Street Art Center. Galanin works with concepts of the “Indian Art World.” He says he had become impatient with the “institutional prescription and its monolithic attempt to define culture as it unfolds. The viewer, collector, or curators’ definition often conveys more about themselves than that of the Native Artist.” Bunnell Street Art Center presents an opening reception 5-7 p.m. Friday with an artist talk at 5 p.m.
The First IndigenAud Show follows at 9 p.m., featuring Nicholas Galanin aka Silver Jackson and Inupiaq rapper, Allison Warden aka AKU-MATUB.

 
Call for artist submissions
The Kachemak Bay Science Conference planning team is requesting artist’s submissions for a conference logo-design competition. The selected logo-design would have all or parts of the design used for conference outreach such as flyers (header design and/or background), newspaper ads, conference banner, website header, and additional conference materials.
The ideal design will be based on the Kachemak Bay coastal ecosystem, terrestrial and/or marine, and will be used for both present and future science conference outreach. The winning artist will be awarded $200.
Please submit your design as an electronic file, sized for viewing on 8.5×11 paper, by Friday, Feb.10 to megan.murphy@alaska.gov. E-mail or call Megan at 226-4653 for additional information or questions.

Ptarmigan Arts fundraiser runs Nov. 4-28
Stop by Ptarmigan Arts for its annual Arts and Silent Auction Fundraiser. Each year Ptarmigan Arts invites local high school students to apply for a visual arts scholarship, totaling $500-$600. This sum is collected as an annual fee from each Ptarmigan artist.
In May, the students present their art and discuss how they plan on pursuing art post-high school, either through college courses, workshops or private lessons. During the past few years the arts co-op has also offered the scholarship as a means to buy art supplies, create a viable work space/studio or help with starting their own art business.
Recently, Ptarmigan Arts artists decided to broaden their vision and funds for this annual scholarship, as well as publicize it to the community more. During the month of November, the Back Room Gallery is hosting a silent auction of art and action/adventure packages for the community to bid on.
Gary Lyon was able to get more than 70 items or packages donated by artists and local businesses. Consequently, the gallery offers deals on a half-day halibut charter with Rainbow Tours (value of $210; high bid right now is at $42), bear viewing with Bald Mountain Air (value of $630; high bid so far of $135), combination of dinner at Captain Pattie’s and an overnight stay at Sea Lion Cove (value of $245; high bid of $65), round trip on the Danny J to Halibut Cove (value of $120; high bid of $45), Ashore Water Taxi and Seaside Kayak trip (value of $300; high bid of $120), Round Trip Water Taxi with Bay Excursions (value of $150; high bid of $60) and a Winter King Charter with Captain Pete (value of $470; high bid of $95).
In addition, there are many works of original art from prominent artists, also available to view at www.ptarmiganarts.com
This is an opportunity for Christmas presents, collecting beautiful artwork or going on a fun adventure for two while supporting a worthwhile cause – students and the arts.

KPC calls for art proposals
Kenai Peninsula College, Kachemak Bay Campus is requesting proposals from artists interested in creating work to be placed in Bayview Hall, its newest building.

The deadline to submit is 5 p.m. Jan. 19, 2012. Finalists will be selected by Feb. 24, 2012, and installation must be completed by July 15, 2012. Twenty thousand dollars has been budgeted to cover costs of purchasing and installing the artwork. 

Areas in Bayview Hall where the art might be displayed include, but are not limited to: common areas, exterior surfaces of the building or within the landscape areas adjacent.

The committee is open to the artist choosing another location in Bayview Hall for the artwork and encourages artists to visit the campus from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday to view the building and surrounding spaces. For artists who cannot visit the campus, the RFP and photos of the areas will be posted on the website at www.kpc.alaska.edu/KBC.

There are no guidelines for the material, approach or form involved in the artwork. Pieces can, but are not required to respond to the campus’ geographic location, natural environment, Kachemak Bay and surrounding cultural heritage. Selection criteria will include quality, appropriateness and originality of the artist’s concepts; durability, maintenance requirements and safety considerations, and quality of the artist’s past work.

Detailed proposal requirements may be found at www.kpc.alaska.edu/KBC/ Proposals should be submitted to Carol Swartz, Kenai Peninsula College, Kachemak Bay Campus, 533 East Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska 99603. Swartz can be reached 907-235-1656.

Do-it-yourself art

The woodwork of Lael Gordon

The Five Creative Communities are back for a second season, hosted by the Homer Council on the Arts. These gatherings support the artistic process and encourage artists to form small communities. This in turn generates creative programming ideas to further benefit the community.
The Writers’ Refuge invites wordsmiths to gather to share drafts, propose writing exercises, read aloud essays, ask questions and hear constructive feedback in an encouraging environment. It meets the first and third Mondays 5:30-8:30 p.m. (This group meets year round).
Theatre Works Enthusiasts meet to read scripts, block scenes, share ideas and inspire one another to performance. Anything related to stage production is fair game. It meets the second and fourth Mondays 6-8 p.m.
Tuesdays Salon Creative folk bring projects and paint, sketch, knit, carve, sculpt, bead, whittle or craft leather in good company. Whatever the pursuit, this is the place to share and create. Each Tuesday 5-9 p.m.
Art City Sings: If you can talk, you can sing. Open to anyone who wants to sing in a casual, lyrics only, no-need-to read music atmosphere. Meets the first and third Wednesday, 6-8 p.m.
Musicians’ Roundtable: Composers, lyricists and musicians convene to share feedback, encouragement and innovative ideas to support and feed the creative fire.
Musicians Roundtable Composers will be held the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, from 6-8 p.m.
Lael Gordon wins in “Earth Fire and Fibre”
An artist and woodworker born and raised in Homer and now living in Seward, Lael Gordon, won the $1,000 Juror’s Choice Award in the Anchorage Museum’s 28th biennial craft exhibit,
“Earth Fire and Fibre” Juror Andrew Wagner chose Gordon’s wood furniture, “Greek Key Sideboard,” for the top award.
The artist is the son of Vicky Gordon of Homer and Ron Gordon of Washington. He graduated from Homer High School in 1996 and got his bachelor of arts in history from Colorado College, Colorado Springs. He studied fine woodworking at the Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking in Robert Creek, B.C., Canada.
There, he learned the philosophy of woodworking espoused by James Krenov, where the focus is on the process of creating.
Made of Douglas fir, Sitka spruce milled in Homer at Steve Gibson’s Small Potatoes mill, Alaska birch and jatoba, a tropical hardwood, “Greek Key Sideboard” features panels of fir in the Greek key pattern. Arranging light and dark pieces of wood in the parquetry technique, the light refracts off the wood.
Soliciting artist nominations
Homer Council on the Arts grants six “Arts Awards” annually to individuals and businesses who have contributed significantly to the arts in our community. Nominations are available now, and due by Dec. 9 to the HCOA office.
Awards will be granted in the following categories: arts leadership/advocacy; arts education; youth artist; artist of the year; arts lifetime achievement and business arts patron.
Winners will be announced and awards will be presented at the HCOA annual meeting Jan. 20.

• Artists’ First Friday offerings around town feature time-tested, beloved local artists
By Naomi Klouda
Homer Tribune

Manuel Castrellan’s art will be instantly recognizable to many in Homer, bright bursts of colorful works on exhibit at Don Jose’s Restaurant and other public places.

“Lotsa Bull” by John Lofgreen

Fireweed Gallery amps up color vibrations in the gallery this month with “Impressions Through Time,” vivid impasto technique oil paintings by 20-year Homer resident Manuel Castrellan.  Manuel’s exhibit contains both natural and rustic subject matter in still life, landscape and seascape.
The interplay of shapes, spaces, light, and most importantly, color are inherent in these artworks. Manuel expresses his passion towards life through bold use of color.  His glazing and impasto techniques are combined with a preference for completing a painting in one session to give his work a fresh and spontaneous quality.  
Manuel has paintings at Don Jose’s restaurant here in Homer and at other restaurants in Anchorage and California. The exhibit opens with an artist’s reception 5-7 p.m. Friday and remains in the gallery through Nov. 30.  

“Forest Series” offered by Cheri Govertsen Greer

At Ptarmigan Arts, watch for a rare opportunity in an art fundraiser-silent auction in the Back Room Gallery for the annual scholarship fund. These are the titles of paintings and other works offered, by some of the state’s top artists: “Legend of the Aurora” by Barbara Lavalee; “Inupiat Drummer” by Don Humme; “Hope for the Future” by Robert Lyn Nelson; “Forest Series” by Cheri Govertsen Greer; “Fishing Bear” by Dave Totten; “Sockeye Salmon” by Gail Baker; Inlaid Box by Ray Gary; “Chestnut Teal” by Ron Gravenhorst; “Four Otters” by Gary Lyon and “Lotsa Bull” by John Lofgreen.

By Paula Dickey

Picture Alaska’s November show will feature Paula Dickey’s last body of work “Pieces of …”  Dickey was a beloved artist and art instructor who passed away this summer. Her final collection of watercolor collages was made in three series:  “China Poot,” “Mountains,” and “Glaciers.” 
Classic Paula Dickey techniques are at work as she combined  watercolor and pieces of oriental papers, map fragments, and wasp nests to portray the texture of Alaska’s amazing landscape with its diverse moods.
“Pieces of…” will be featured in the gallery through Dec. 1.  Opening reception 5 – 7:30 First Friday.

“Four Otters” by Gary Lyon

The November Exhibit at Homer Council on the Arts “The Full Catastrophe,” is a collection of archetypal imagery in paintings, collages, and three dimensional sculpture with raw and found objects by Dick Sanders.
Homer Council on the Arts presents Sanders, another longtime Homer resident who has served the community since 1979 through radio, theater and art.
Sanders’ voice became familiar to listeners during his years with KBBI Radio. Later, he performed in numerous local plays and starred in a film by Brian Smith, “Puffin Bay.” For the past four decades, he has made artistic explorations in many forms, counting among those who influenced him in Homer as such diverse artists as Leo Vait, Brad Hughes, Lynn Naden.

“Inupiat Drummer” by Don Humme

At Bunnell Street Gallery, highlighted is the work of Wendy Croskrey, “Containment,” which seeks inspiration from ordinary objects and various aspects of nature such as, rocks, the pooling of water, floating forms and the colors of the natural world. Croskrey’s wall-mounted sculptures are made of metal. An Alaskan resident since 1990, she is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Also at Bunnell is an Alaska Jewelry Invitational showing concurrently in New work by noted Alaskans Beth Blankenship, Annie Ciszak, Ashley Maury, Turid Senugetuk, Leo Vait, Melisse Reichman and Judy Winn. An artist talk begins at 6 p.m. Friday in the gallery.

Lutefisk

Gotta love that lutefisk

Faith Lutheran Church will hold its annual Scandinavian Dinner on Friday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come out and participate in this traditional family event. On the menu for the evening are lutefisk, fresh Lefse, Swedish Meatballs, pickled herring and more. Call 235-7600 to reserve your tickets today.

Early Christmas shopping?
The Homer Elks Lodge is hosting an arts and crafts fair on Nov. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The arts and crafts fair is sponsored by Homer Emblem Club No. 350 The fair is held in the bottom of the Homer Elks Lodge. It is open to the public, and an excellent way to get some early Christmas shopping done.

Bunnell seeks exhibition proposals by Oct. 31
Alaskan artists seeking a widely acclaimed professional venue for exhibition of works of art are encouraged to apply for solo, duo and group shows in Bunnell Street Arts Center’s Visual Art Exhibition program. The exhibition is sponsored by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, and work does not necessarily have to be for sale. Month-long exhibits will take place between October 2012 and December 2013. Bunnell provides a catered reception at the opening/artist talk, and a statewide mailing of full-color exhibition announcements (as well as 50 for the artists’ personal use). In association with the exhibit, Bunnell also welcomes artists’ proposals for workshops and Artist in Schools.  
Please e-mail five images no more than 1 MB each of work representative of the desired exhibit, an artists statement of intent for the exhibit and a current art resume to Exhibits Panel c/o Asia Freeman, Artistic/Executive Director  asia@bunnellstreetgallery.org. Proposals can also be on a CD by mail to Exhibits Panel c/o Asia Freeman, 106 W Bunnell, Suite A, Homer AK 99603.  

Artist gives physical form to ‘Juggernauts’

Juggernaut

Rachelle Dowdy’s solo exhibition, “Juggernauts,” explores the collision of mankind and the natural world. The Fairbanks artist believes humans often view nature as a juggernaut, a destructive force to be controlled, when in actuality we are often the destroyers. She gives physical form to these dualities through sculptures of animals and animal-human hybrids, often mounted to mimic hunters’ trophies. As the daughter of a junkyard owner, she naturally gravitates toward construction materials. Dowdy’s work will be on display through the month of October at Bunnell Street Gallery.

The Drama, Debate and Forensics Team had their first tournament of the year this past weekend at South Anchorage High School. The students did very well, both in being prepared and representing Homer High with dignity and appropriate behavior. The results were:
Debate
Traven Apiki – 1st place, Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate (meaning that it was all first-timers in debate)
Trevor Waldorf – 1st place, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Adi Davis – 3rd place, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Forensics
Jacob Mayforth – 1st place, Original Oratory
Neal Wimmerstedt – 4th place, Expository Speaking
Sydney Paulino – 5th place, Extemporaneous Commentary
Trevor Waldorf – 1st place, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking
Theo Noomah – 2nd place, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking
Adi Davis – 3rd place, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking
Trevor Waldorf – 5th place, Congressional Debate
Drama
Adella Sundmark and Traven Apiki – 3rd place, Pantomime
Axel Gillam, Johnny Hamilton, Herman Hannan, Sydney Paulino, Brittney Bordner, Emmet Meyer – 4th place, Readers Theatre
Jacob Mayforth and Herman Hannan – 1st place, Duet Acting
Sydney Paulino and Adi Davis – 5th place, Duet Acting
Jonas Noomah and Evan Boyer – 2nd place, Duo Interpretation
Matt Jasper – 5th place, Dramatic Interpretation
Theo Noomah – 1st place, Humorous Interpretation
Emmet Meyer – 3rd place, Humorous Interpretation
 Overall Sweepstakes
3rd place, Overall Debate Sweepstakes (all debate points together)
1st place, Overall Non-Debate Sweepstakes (all non-debate events together) – 3rd place had 57 points, 2nd place had 58, and we had 79 points!
2nd place, Overall Sweepstakes
As you can see, we had a VERY successful tournament. We brought 19 students, and almost all of them won awards in some event. Of those 19, this was the first tournament for 8 of them!

• George Holly Jr. performs 7 p.m. Friday at Homer Council on the Arts

Photo Provided - George Holly Jr. (Center) is a contemporary Deg Xit’an Athabascan singer/songwriter who performs Friday at Homer Council on the Arts.

When the devastating earthquake and subsequent nuclear power plant eruption hit earlier this year in Japan, a Kenai Peninsula musician decided to write a song. Called a world-wide “Healing Meditation and Prayer for the Japanese Nuclear Power-Plant Workers,” George Holly Jr., dedicated the song to those who were consciously giving their lives for the sake of all.
“This is an inter-faith effort to send them healing energy and God’s love,” Holly wrote beneath his YouTube posting.
The contemporary Deg Xit’an Athabascan singer/songwriter comes to Homer on Friday for a performance at the Homer Council on the Arts, a rare treat on the music circuit. Holly began creating his own adaptations of standards for the bluegrass sound 16 years ago. He writes verses in Deg Xinag and Dena’ina Athabascan with the help of elders and other language learners. His compositions have been sung by Native dance groups in Southeast Alaska, the Yukon and on the Peninsula.
He also has written music that has been featured at the National Museum of the American Indian in D.C., the Field Museum and Newberry Library in Chicago and children’s programming in the Juneau School District and Perseverance Theater in Juneau.
The band features Holly on the banjo and Paul Gray on mandocello and djimbe.

By Randi Somers
Homer Tribune
Into the autumn, the First Friday art shows for Oct. 7 features a wide variety of styles, genres and participants.

Damsel Fly Salon and Boutique will present “All Wrapped Up,” a collection of paintings by Homer artist Marjorie Scholl. “I focus on indulgence in my work, layering paint with free and unrestricted movements. I allow the natural flow and motion of the paint strokes to express its own desire,” she said. “Often, then, I change my initial concepts of where I wanted to go and what I wanted to say. Whether or not my paintings may describe an impressive body of water, a person, or a city, completely embracing my subjects allows me to capture the feeling and essence of what I wish to share with the viewer. I enjoy using my stylized approach to create an emotional experience for myself and those who view my work.”
Scholl moved to Homer shortly after completing her art degree at the San Francisco Art Institute. “I enjoy the contrast of city life and rural Alaska, and I try to capture those influences in my daily work. I live with my super great two children, and spend my time dancing with them when I’m not working,” she wrote in her biography.

Photo provided - Buffalo Woman at Bunnell Street Art Center.

Bunnell Street Art Center is featuring Fairbanks artist Rachelle Dowdy in their First Friday opening and October show. Her solo exhibition, Juggernaut, explores the collision of mankind with the natural world. Her work is primarily sculpture images of bird and animal-human hybrids. She combines organic materials such as wood and fibers with concrete, industrial resins and recycled materials, primarily nails, disc blades, scrap steel and wood. The resulting sculptures address contemporary issues of life in the north while putting a spin on popular Alaska wildlife motifs.
She says she believes humans often view nature as a juggernaut, a destructive force to be controlled, when actually humans are often the destroyers. She expresses these dualities in sculptures of animals and animal-human hybrids, often mounted to mimic hunters’ trophies.
The daughter of a junkyard owner, she naturally gravitates toward construction materials such as plywood, concrete and nails.
Dowdy has created public art for some prominent Anchorage locations. Her most recent is at the Ted Stevens International Airport. “From Here to There and There to Here” is an installation depicting a dozen oversized geese “flying” the length of Concourse B. In 2006, Dowdy populated the Key Bank Plaza in front of the downtown Starbucks with a fox, black bear, moose and Canada goose, all with human torsos and legs. She has a bachelor’s degree in sculpture from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and earned a Rasmuson Foundation fellowship in 2006. Her art is held in many collections including at the Anchorage Museum. Bunnell will have her show on display from Oct. 7 through 30.

Pratt Museum is previewing their Puttin’ on the Ritz show. The exhibit will be on display through Nov. 3 allowing visitors to preview the art to be auctioned at their annual Ritz fundraiser. This year’s theme is “Ancient Ritz: A Night on the Nile” and the auction will be held Nov. 5. Tickets went on sale Oct.1 and are available at the museum and the Homer Bookstore.

The Treasure Chest is showing its New Kitchen Corner featuring Sharon Clause. Her unique aprons, hot pads and wall hangings are a must for any cozy kitchen.
Other art includes photography, wood work, Native art and jewelry. It is located at the Ocean Shores Mall, 451 Sterling Highway Suite #2.

Fireweed Gallery celebrates the changing colors of autumn with Expressions of Alaska, watercolor paintings by Anchor Point artist Bruce Sink. Bruce’s work showcases Alaskan themes of his travels around the state, including fish, mountain scenes, landscapes and wildlife. the show will be up until Nov. 2.

Picture Alaska presents an invitational watercolor show of paintings from across the Kenai. Opening Reception 5-7 p.m. Oct. 7. Artists include Tara Alverson, Melinda Hershberger, Dr. Steve Hileman, Renee Jahnke, Marlyn Kramer, Pamela Mersch, Michael Murray, Georg-anne Phillips, Lynda Reed, Donna Schwanke, and Gwen Thomas.
All First Friday receptions are slated from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7.