Five faces of the Juneau Public Market

Juneau Public Market has returned for its 43rd season in Alaska’s capital city. It is the largest event by attendance in Southeast Alaska, says its founder Peter Metclaf. The sprawling fair gathered artists, food producers and craftspeople from across Southeast presenting handmade goods and local flavors.

Of the over 175 vendors, the Empire spoke to five across different mediums.

Michael Wilson of Keet Enterprises offered a variety of Alaskan treasures. Salmonberry and blueberry jams and jarred devil’s club sat at the forefront of his booth.

Devil’s club has a range of uses. The tea is cleansing and energizing, Wilson said. The salve soothes chronic pain, and the stalk beneath the plant’s innumerable spines can be carved into sturdy walking sticks or ringed beads.

Harvesting takes place mostly in June and July. How does one get past the plant’s natural defenses? “Well, just be tough,” Wilson says, and don some thick leather gloves.

Middle schoolers Juniper Thompson, Tristan Roberts and Seaver Merrell took a shift representing their school, the Adolescent Montessori Program. They sold cards, candles, peppermint bark and other kid-made treats. All of them have their food handler’s permit, Roberts noted.

The students are fundraising for their Spring Odyssey, a camping trip that they hope will take them out of town.

“We’re hoping to take a trip, maybe on the ferry this year,” Roberts said. “Last year, we didn’t raise enough, but this year we’re hoping to do it.”

Jewelry-making duo Tl’aangunk Renee Culp and Duné Kathy Rado of Sugar Bear Alaskan Treasures were glad to see familiar faces at the winter market after a busy tourist season.

Rado was particularly pleased with the quality of mother of pearl they sourced this year. The material, often used in buttons in Alaska Native regalia blankets and jewelry, has been threatened by ocean acidification. Driven by the ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide, ocean acidification reduces the carbonate shellfish need to build strong shells and resilient populations.

One mother-of-pearl and blue-glass beaded necklace made a particularly strong impression.

“We actually just sold a piece that brought a woman to tears. That never happened before,” Culp said. “She was at the right place, the right time. It was really beautiful to see.”

Meteorologist Jim Green traveled from Haines for another year at the market. He presented the 34th edition of his weather calendar, his flagship publication.

Weather, he said, never fails to spark conversation.

“The weather in Juneau is notorious,” Green said. “You get a few nice days, and that’s something to talk about, because it’s so infrequent at this time of the year, right? But other times, the rain, the snow, the wind — It’s just not boring. It’s something to talk about.”

His map, titled “United States of America,” is another crowd-pleaser: Alaska dominates the frame, its boundaries meticulously marked, while the Lower 48 is hastily drawn and relegated to a small box off to the side.

Making her debut at the market was artist Kia Johns, offering ceramic dishware and ornaments.

When asked how preparations for the weekend went, she said, “I’m laughing at that because I’m in my ninth month of pregnancy right now, so it’s been interesting, but fun.”

Leaning over a throwing wheel isn’t ideal during the final month of pregnancy, so Johns has relied on help from her partner — Nick Matisse, also a ceramicist — to finish preparing for the market.

Johns’ sgraffito-style designs take different looks at Alaska wildlife. One line of mugs features colorful halibut that resemble linocut stamps.

The bustling booths are up for the weekend. The market’s final day is Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. across the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, Elizabeth Peratrovitch Hall and Centennial Hall.