Arts and Culture

Indigenous celebrations took center stage in Juneau in 2023, including the debut of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail), launch of the Hōkūle‘a 47-month Polynesian canoe voyage and Áak’w Rock Indigenous music festival. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photos)

Juneau’s top 10 arts and culture stories of 2023

Indigenous events and celebrations took center stage throughout the year.

Indigenous celebrations took center stage in Juneau in 2023, including the debut of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail), launch of the Hōkūle‘a 47-month Polynesian canoe voyage and Áak’w Rock Indigenous music festival. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photos)
Charles Skultka Jr. teaches formline design during a Sitka High School class supported by the Sitka Native Education Program and Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)

Resilient Peoples and Place: Celebrating and supporting Southeast Alaska’s growing arts economy

Thousands of artists, tens of millions of dollars annually, generations of passing on traditions.

Charles Skultka Jr. teaches formline design during a Sitka High School class supported by the Sitka Native Education Program and Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File Even the Grinch got into the holiday spirit at last year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

An abundance of traditional and new ways to capitalize on this year’s Gallery Walk

More than 50 events scheduled Friday afternoon and evening from downtown to Douglas.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File Even the Grinch got into the holiday spirit at last year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
Acrylic works by local artist Jessalyn Ward will be featured at Bustin Out Boutique as part of November’s First Friday in Juneau. (Courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in November

An annual napkin art contest, a workshop for homemade dog treats, and art featuring end-of-an-age glaciers and end-of-life items revived in new forms are part… Continue reading

Acrylic works by local artist Jessalyn Ward will be featured at Bustin Out Boutique as part of November’s First Friday in Juneau. (Courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Lily Hope is presented with the $5,000 Marie Darlin Prize at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Oct. 12. (Photo courtesy of Juneau-Douglas City Museum)

Lily Hope awarded 2023 Marie Darlin Prize

Juneau artist Lily Hope has been awarded the 2023 Marie Darlin Prize. The $5,000 Marie Darlin Prize is administered through the Juneau-Douglas City Museum (JDCM)… Continue reading

Lily Hope is presented with the $5,000 Marie Darlin Prize at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Oct. 12. (Photo courtesy of Juneau-Douglas City Museum)
Tallie Medel, who will be teaching a series of clowning classes in Juneau next week, arrives for the world premiere of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, March 11, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)

No joke: Clowning classes coming by actor from this year’s Oscar-winning best picture

Ketchikan-born Tallie Medel teaching three days of classes at Perseverance Theatre starting Monday.

Tallie Medel, who will be teaching a series of clowning classes in Juneau next week, arrives for the world premiere of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, March 11, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)
Josie Ferrer addresses the audience with announcements during the Filipino Community Celebration on Saturday. Hundreds of people attended the event on Saturday, with more activities planned starting at noon Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Filipino Community Hall hosts hundreds at celebration

Event is part of larger project after state’s recognizes October as Filipino American History Month.

Josie Ferrer addresses the audience with announcements during the Filipino Community Celebration on Saturday. Hundreds of people attended the event on Saturday, with more activities planned starting at noon Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
The exhibit “Visceral: Verity, Legacy, Identity – Alaska Native Gut Knowledge and Perseverance” will feature four final days of closing events starting with First Friday and ending on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Alaska State Museum. (Alaska State Museum)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in October

Monthly lineup includes start of multiday events for Alaska Native, Filipino communities.

The exhibit “Visceral: Verity, Legacy, Identity – Alaska Native Gut Knowledge and Perseverance” will feature four final days of closing events starting with First Friday and ending on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Alaska State Museum. (Alaska State Museum)
Longtime Juneau drag pillar Gigi Monroe leads a dance alongside other performers during the eighth annual GLITZ drag show at the Centennial Hall ballroom Saturday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Photos: GLITZ returns

Hundreds turn out for the eighth annual drag show’s first fall debut.

Longtime Juneau drag pillar Gigi Monroe leads a dance alongside other performers during the eighth annual GLITZ drag show at the Centennial Hall ballroom Saturday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A painting by MK MacNaughton, whose works will be on display along with artist Patti Jouppi during a First Friday event from 4:30-8 p.m. at Spice Cafe and Gallery. (Courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in September

Sounds of Áak’w Rock, a gut check for Indigenous voices and an artists’ quintet market.

A painting by MK MacNaughton, whose works will be on display along with artist Patti Jouppi during a First Friday event from 4:30-8 p.m. at Spice Cafe and Gallery. (Courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
The Odess Theater is seen on May 22, 2019, on the campus of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, which operates the former home of Sheldon Jackson College. (Photo by Flickr user Jasperdo/Creative Commons)

Sitka Fine Arts Camp withdraws immigration lawsuit after feds reconsider issue

A key employee for one of Alaska’s major arts organizations has received a federal immigration visa, ending a lawsuit over the case. Sitka Fine Arts… Continue reading

The Odess Theater is seen on May 22, 2019, on the campus of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, which operates the former home of Sheldon Jackson College. (Photo by Flickr user Jasperdo/Creative Commons)
Marian Call and Conor Lendrum perform a song during the annual Climate Fair for a Cooler Planet on Saturday afternoon at Overstreet Park. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Seriousness about climate change amid a festive backdrop

Canadian wildfires, proposed North Slope projects draw heat at Climate Fair for a Cooler Planet

Marian Call and Conor Lendrum perform a song during the annual Climate Fair for a Cooler Planet on Saturday afternoon at Overstreet Park. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Works by self-taught Juneau artist Jacqui Tingey will be featured at Barnaby Brewing Company from 4-8 p.m. Friday as part of First Friday in August. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in August

Áakʼw Rock exhibit, book signing by local author, communal fiber art project among events.

Works by self-taught Juneau artist Jacqui Tingey will be featured at Barnaby Brewing Company from 4-8 p.m. Friday as part of First Friday in August. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Davina Cole Drones participates in an Alaska Native dance during the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s 50th anniversary celebration Thursday at Sealaska Heritage Plaza.

JAHC’s golden anniversary highlights present talent and big plans

Arts and culture organization celebrates 50th birthday with party and awards

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Davina Cole Drones participates in an Alaska Native dance during the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s 50th anniversary celebration Thursday at Sealaska Heritage Plaza.
Flags fly outside the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday. The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, which operates the center, is celebrating its 50 anniversary Thursday with music, food and other events from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JAHC celebrates 50th birthday with performances, food and awards Thursday

Council’s role in local arts and culture has expanded in imaginative ways over five decades

Flags fly outside the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday. The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, which operates the center, is celebrating its 50 anniversary Thursday with music, food and other events from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Image from the exhibition “For Our Children: Chilkat Regalia Woven in the Lineage of Jennie Thulnaut and Clarissa Rizal,” on display at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum this month. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

Plenty of colorful displays and activities will still be available to Juneau residents after the last of the July 4 fireworks fade, with more than… Continue reading

Image from the exhibition “For Our Children: Chilkat Regalia Woven in the Lineage of Jennie Thulnaut and Clarissa Rizal,” on display at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum this month. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Michael Ruppert inspects percussion instrumentation that’s part of the setup for the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building. Ruppert, co-owner of Rose City Organ Builders in Oregon, spent two days this with with fellow co-owner Christopher Nordwall tuning and restoring the organ to playable condition. The instrument has not been played since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but local officials and musicians are hoping to schedule a lunchtime concert during the next couple of weeks. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Clearing the old pipes in the Kimball organ at the State Office Building

Tuners revive 1928 organ that’s been idle for three years; lunchtime concerts may resume next week

Michael Ruppert inspects percussion instrumentation that’s part of the setup for the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building. Ruppert, co-owner of Rose City Organ Builders in Oregon, spent two days this with with fellow co-owner Christopher Nordwall tuning and restoring the organ to playable condition. The instrument has not been played since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but local officials and musicians are hoping to schedule a lunchtime concert during the next couple of weeks. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
TMHS student Lelehua Fujimoto Vertido in her watercolor workshop for which she received an award at this year’s Alaska Student Activities Association’s Region V Art Fest in Yakutat. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Ridgway)

Southeast student-artists shine at Region V Art Fest

Students from JDHS and TMHS competed in Yakutat art show.

TMHS student Lelehua Fujimoto Vertido in her watercolor workshop for which she received an award at this year’s Alaska Student Activities Association’s Region V Art Fest in Yakutat. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Ridgway)
This image shows the cover of Kate Troll’s new book, “All In Due Time: A Memoir of Siblings, Genealogy, Secrets and Love.” (Cirque Press)

New book tells story of growing family and admiration

Kate Troll’s memoir details discovery of siblings and new appreciation of her mother.

This image shows the cover of Kate Troll’s new book, “All In Due Time: A Memoir of Siblings, Genealogy, Secrets and Love.” (Cirque Press)
Courtesy Photo / Alaska Airlines Juneau artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl, who is Tlingit and Athabascan, poses with an Alaska Airlines 737-800 aircraft decorated with Worl’s latest work, Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). Alaska Airlines held a unveiling ceremony on Friday, May 12 to welcome the plane into service.

Formline meets airline: Crystal Worl’s salmon-inspired design takes to the skies

Xáat Kwáani makes its inaugural flight.

Courtesy Photo / Alaska Airlines Juneau artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl, who is Tlingit and Athabascan, poses with an Alaska Airlines 737-800 aircraft decorated with Worl’s latest work, Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). Alaska Airlines held a unveiling ceremony on Friday, May 12 to welcome the plane into service.