When Pua Maunu began a solo artist-in-residence stay in the Ernest Gruening Amalga Harbor cabin at the end of August, the weather was less than inspiring.
“At first it was typical grey and rainy Southeast weather,” said Maunu, who was one of eight Alaskan artists to take part in the residency. “But then there was some sort of shift in the time I was there. I would sit at the same table every morning and look out at the view and it would actually change. I started noticing the nuances of nature, minute changes. For a season that was supposedly slowing down and getting ready for winter it was full of so much life; life within the darkness.”
Maunu will be the guest artist and teacher for the UAS Juneau campus Alumni and Friends event, “Art and Wine 101” on Sat., Jan. 30, 2-5 p.m. in Studio 105 in the Soboleff building. The cost is $90 for non-members, and $75 for members. Catering is by Abby’s Kitchen and wine is complimentary.
Participants will be introduced to the concepts of color theory, composition and form and come away with an 8×8 ‘practice’ canvas and a larger 12×16 canvas painting.
“You don’t have to draw perfectly,” said Maunu.
Maunu is a well-known local artist whose work has been showcased throughout Juneau, most recently at Coppa and Annie Kaills. She also holds a Masters of Architecture from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
“I think that art and architecture are closely related in ways of seeing the environment,” said Maunu, who is the Project Manager for Facilities Planning & Construction at the University of Alaska Southeast. “I love what I do here at UAS. We do have to get the job done working with facilities and construction, but there’s a creative side as well, which focuses on how we make it better for students.”
All the proceeds from “Art and Wine 101” will go directly to scholarships for students.
