This photo shows a common loon carved by artist Matt Robus for the exhibit “Birds of Wood.” It opens Friday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center for First Friday. (Courtesy Photo)

This photo shows a common loon carved by artist Matt Robus for the exhibit “Birds of Wood.” It opens Friday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center for First Friday. (Courtesy Photo)

Like a duck to water: In-person gallery shows return to the JACC

Juneau Artists Gallery kicks off sale on First Friday, too.

This month’s celebration of arts and culture includes the first in-person exhibit at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center since March 2020.

“Birds of Wood,” an exhibit of more than 50 hand-carved birds by Matt Robus, kicks off the 2021-22 gallery season and an official return to in-person gallery shows, said the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, which manages the JACC and organizes First Fridays, in a news release.

“Birds of Wood” opens to the public 4:30-7 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the gallery at the JACC, 350 Whittier St., and will be on exhibit throughout the month.

“My aim is to carve and paint wood to evoke various bird species through the use of form, color and pattern,” Robus said in an artist statement. ‘The style of 19th and 20th century decoy carvers, who created utilitarian objects without excessive detail, has always appealed to me – the challenge is to do just enough to portray the ‘feel’ of a bird using shape, color, and postural clues without fuss or formality.

“I knew about wooden hunting decoys being art objects during my youth in New York state, where old-time carvings were being offered as folk art at a few antique galleries,” Robus continued. “As a waterfowl hunter in Alaska I learned the rudiments of carving decoys and realized that the same techniques could be applied to any bird species; ever since then I’ve been wandering through the bird world (predominantly species occurring in Alaska) doing my best to turn blocks of wood into representations of interesting birds. That is what this show is about. I hope you enjoy them.”

With the community risk level at high, the JAHC is following local migration strategies closely, according to the council. Mitigation plans for First Friday include:

— Children and adults 12 years old and up, are asked to bring proof of vaccination (vaccine card or photo) for entry.

— Masks are required in the facility.

— Social distancing is encouraged while in the lobby shop and the gallery.

— People who are feeling unwell, exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, are asked to stay home.

The deal of the art

Juneau Artists Gallery, a gallery operated cooperatively by 16 artists, will kick off its annual Juneau Appreciation Sale on First Friday.

The sale is open 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, and runs through Oct. 3. The gallery is located at 175 S. Franklin St. on the ground floor. The gallery members sincerely appreciate our local following of customers, its thanks to your support that Juneau Artists Gallery is still operating.

• Contact Ben Hohenstatt at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt

This photo shows three great blue herons carved by artist carved by artist Matt Robus for the exhibit “Birds of Wood.” It opens Friday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center for First Friday. The exhibit marks a return to in-person gallery season. The in-person event comes with mitigation measures. (Courtesy Photo)

This photo shows three great blue herons carved by artist carved by artist Matt Robus for the exhibit “Birds of Wood.” It opens Friday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center for First Friday. The exhibit marks a return to in-person gallery season. The in-person event comes with mitigation measures. (Courtesy Photo)

More in News

KTOO, Juneau's public radio station, is photographed in Juneau, Alaska, on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Public radio facing cuts as Congress moves to pull back funding

KTOO could lose one-third of its budget if the House passes a bill cutting funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14.
Ships in port for the week of July 19

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule.… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, July 17, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire File)
Hiker rescued from gully at Eaglecrest

The woman got stuck in a gully after taking a wrong turn

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, July 16, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Dimond Courthouse in Juneau, Alaska, is seen in this undated photo. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Juneau man pleads guilty to murder of infant

James White pleaded guilty yesterday to the murder of 5-and-half-week-old Kathy White

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Megan Dean shakes hands with the new Arctic District commander Rear Admiral Bob Little on Friday. Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson, commander of the Pacific Area, smiles. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
US Coast Guard receives new commander, new name for Alaska

The Arctic District’s new icebreaker will visit Juneau next month

City and Borough of Juneau City Hall is photographed on July 12, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire file)
Municipal election candidate filing period opens July 18

The filing period runs from July 18 at 8 a.m. to July 28 at 4:30 p.m.

The Mendenhall River roars more than 13 feet above normal levels in August 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Suicide Basin predicted to fill by Aug. 8

The change in the prediction of when the basin will fill was based on heavy rain last week

Most Read