Two years ago steps were taken toward preserving the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the atrium of the State Office Building, with two tuners restoring the instrument to playable condition and allowing weekly concerts to resume. A more focused look, including a performance by a renowned visiting musician, is scheduled during two events on First Friday in March.
Jonas Nordwall, a classical and popular music recording artist who is a member of the Hall of Fame of the American Theater Organ Society, will perform the weekly noon Friday concert on the 548-pipe instrument. That will be followed with a presentation at 7 p.m. at the Alaska State Museum about the organ’s history and ongoing efforts to preserve it.
Museum Conservator Ellen Carrlee will provide a brief lecture about the history of the instrument, followed by a public discussion about its future. Experts in attendance will include Jonas and Chris Nordwall of Rose City Organ Builders in Portland, the latter of whom helped restore the instrument in 2023.
The full schedule of First Friday events in March includes:
Juneau Arts & Humanities Council: Monica Daugherty, “When Flowers Dream,” 350 Whittier Street, Juneau Arts and Culture Center, 4-7 p.m.
New paintings by Monica Daugherty for the month of March. “When Flowers Dream” is a collection of paintings that she first started in 2019. Themes of mythology, geography and animism emerge through colorful, imagined landscapes. Exhibit will be on display through March 29.
Exhibit up through the month.
Alaska State Museum: Saving Juneau’s Theater Organ, 333 Willoughby Ave., State Office Building, 395 Whittier St., APK Lecture Hall, noon-1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Visiting organist Jonas Nordwall will perform at noon at the State Office Building. Nordwall is a virtuoso organist of both classical and popular music, a recording artist with over 50 years of international performances and a member of the Hall of Fame of the American Theater Organ Society. A lecture at 7 p.m. at the APK Lecture Hall by Alaska State Museum Conservator Ellen Carrlee will focus on the history of Juneau’s theater organ, followed by a public discussion about the future of the instrument.
First Friday opening only.
Friends of the State Library, Archives, and Museum: Dara Rilatos, musician, 395 Whittier Street, APK Building Lobby, 5-6 p.m.
Dara Rilatos is a Juneau-based singer-songwriter whose music blends jazz, folk and soul.
First Friday opening only.
Alaska State Museum: Ree Nancarrow, “Sharing the World I Know,” 395 Whittier St., APK Building, 4:30-7 p.m.
Solo exhibition featuring quilt works by Fairbanks art quilter Ree Nancarrow, who makes quilts with custom-printed fabric with images and designs she has collected and created over her art career. Ree is one of six artists selected for the Alaska State Museum 2024–2026 Solo Artist Exhibition Series, along with artists Myesha Callahan Freet, Shgendootan George, Joel Isaak Łiq’a yes, Golga Oscar, and Tamara Wilson.
Exhibit up through the month.
Alaska State Museum: “Slinkies and the Window Frame,” by Tamara Wilson, 395 Whittier Street, APK Building, 4:30-7 p.m.
Exhibition by Tamara Wilson, a Fairbanks artist, features studio work and site-specific installation created out of a variety of ingredients including remnant tile, truck bed liner, imitation bubble gum, oak, felt, and expanding foam. The exhibition desires to understand the domestic by pretending and discovering who and what occupies that space. The objects and creatures are created from a place of nostalgia, longing, and cosmic curiosities. The exhibit runs through April 12, 2025.
Exhibit up through the month.
Juneau Douglas City Museum: Rhythm the 21st Annual 12×12 Community Art Exhibition, 114 W. 4th St., 4-7 p.m.
Opening Reception for Rhythm, the 21st Annual 12×12 Community Art Exhibition. More than 55 pieces submitted by community members of all ages.
Exhibit up through the month.
Juneau Douglas City Museum: Frances Davis: Landscapes & Portraits,114 W. 4th St., 4-7 p.m.,
Paintings by Frances Davis commemorate Women’s History Month. Frances lived in Juneau from 1891 up until she died in 1932. She was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. Francis was a prolific painter of Southeast Alaska landscapes and portraits of family members. Several paintings and information about Frances will be on display in our media room gallery.
Exhibit up through the month.
Marie Drake Planetarium: Explore the Universe, 1415 Glacier Ave., 5:30-7 p.m.
Explore the universe with our digital projector and share short movies on 30-foot dome. Bring astronomy questions. Suitable for all ages.
First Friday opening only.
Sealaska Heritage Institute: First Friday Native Artist Market, 105 Heritage Way, Walter Soboleff Building, 4-7:30 p.m.
Artists are featured in this month’s First Friday are Carolyn Trebian, owner of Lights Ravens Art S.P., featuring jewelryand handmade Lingít greeting cards; Leilani Knight, owner of Leilani’s Creative Creations, displaying accessories made with Alaska’s natural resources; Helen Johns with beaded accessories; and Aiyana James presenting her handmade canvas paintings, coasters and more. Free admission to the Nathan Jackson Gallery and Exhibit. Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus will feature metal, wood and weaving artists who will be working on their art.
First Friday opening only.
Hearthside Books: Local Author Greta McKennan, 2 Marine Way, Ste. 119 B, 4:30-6 p.m.
Local mystery author Greta McKennan features latest release, “Death at the Shipshape Bookshop,” a mystery set in Southeast Alaska.
First Friday opening only.
The Pottery Jungle: Phil Huebschen and Erin Meade, Local In-Laws Accidentally Make Art Show, Ceramics, 223 Seward St., 4:30-8 p.m.
Featuring big bowls by Phil and tiny frogs by Erin.
Exhibit up through the month.
Annie Kaill’s: Rie Muñoz, Visual Artist, 124 Seward St., 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Featuring works of famous Juneau artist as Annie Kaill’s celebrates 50 years of business in downtown Juneau. Includes assortment of originals, silkscreens, lithographs, rare art prints, books, cards and more.
First Friday opening only.
The Crystal Saloon: Robert Sewell Hosts: “A Felicidade” Jazz Quintet, 218 Front St., 6-8 p.m.
Hosted by Robert Sewell of KRNN’s “Take Five” and “The Late Shift.” Kids are welcome accompanied by a parent or guardian.
First Friday opening only.
Amalga Distillery: Leah Sturgis, 134 N. Franklin St., 4-7 p.m.
Leah Sturgis, a former Juneau resident, returns to show her new jewelry designs and classic work.
First Friday opening only.
Devil’s Club Brewing Company: Crystal Jackson, painter, 110 N. Franklin St., 5-9 p.m.
“Carnival of Colors” is an art show featuring Alaska’s wildlife and the playful energy of a circus. “Chromatic” Crystal Jackson is an Inupiaq artist from Anchorage now living in Juneau.
Exhibit up through the month.
Kindred Post: Katrina Tibbles-Rivers & Jason Rivers, 145 S. Franklin St., 4:30-7 p.m.
Featuring 9 Isle Apothecary members Jason and Katrina, with change to craft spell jar and learn about paganism. Mail services are unavailable during this time.
First Friday opening only.
Juneau Artists Gallery: A collective show of various members, 175 S. Franklin St, Ste. 111, Senate Building, 4:30-7 p.m.
Theme; March madness creations for your viewing. Gallery of 20 local artists.
Exhibit up through the month.
Wicks & Stones: Juneau Red Cross Club, Watercolor tea party night, 230 S. Franklin St., Ste. 108, Marine View Building, 6-8 p.m.
Wicks & Stones is hosting the for a watercolor and tea party night. Watercolor lesson with snacks and tea provided. All proceeds go to Juneau Red Cross Club, a student-run community service organization.
First Friday opening only.
