Arts

“Doragon” by Beth Bolander, modeled by Dani Gross, at the Wearable Art Show at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Doragon placed third in the Juror’s Best in Show. It also drew criticism as cultural appropriation, which led to some guidelines for this year’s fashion show. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Controversy leads to changes for 2019 Wearable Art fashion show

Turbulence is shaping Wearable Arts 2019. The word is the theme for the 19th annual celebration of creativity. “When life get turbulent, we want to… Continue reading

“Doragon” by Beth Bolander, modeled by Dani Gross, at the Wearable Art Show at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Doragon placed third in the Juror’s Best in Show. It also drew criticism as cultural appropriation, which led to some guidelines for this year’s fashion show. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau piano series starts with performance from its organizer

Juneau piano series starts with performance from its organizer

Jon Hays isn’t just the first performer in the Juneau Piano Series, he’s also its founder and artistic director. Hays, who grew up in Juneau,… Continue reading

Juneau piano series starts with performance from its organizer
Exhibit Specialist Aaron Elmore positions one of the eight legs for a giant octopus he is building for the Alaska State Museum’s children’s room on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)

Octopus art piece coming to the Alaska State Museum

A large creature is being assembled behind the scenes at the Alaska State Museum, and by spring it will be alive.

Exhibit Specialist Aaron Elmore positions one of the eight legs for a giant octopus he is building for the Alaska State Museum’s children’s room on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)
Front and Seward streets will be known as Heritage Square after a resolution passed by the City and Borough of Juneau. The resolution drew no opposition. The idea for Heritage Square was first proposed publicly three weeks ago during the unveiling of three bronze house posts outside of the Walter Soboleff Building. (Courtesy photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Intersection of Front and Seward streets gets new name

The City and Borough of Juneau on Monday passed a resolution naming the intersection in front of the Walter Soboleff building “Heritage Square.” The resolution… Continue reading

Front and Seward streets will be known as Heritage Square after a resolution passed by the City and Borough of Juneau. The resolution drew no opposition. The idea for Heritage Square was first proposed publicly three weeks ago during the unveiling of three bronze house posts outside of the Walter Soboleff Building. (Courtesy photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff

Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff

Heather Mitchell and Karen Allen knew “Matilda” would be perfect for Theater at Latitude 58’s teen and tween actors. But there was a sizable obstacle:… Continue reading

Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff
Dorolyn Alper holds one of her pieces while looking over a table of her work. A wall behind her is also decorated with Alper’s art. She is a local artist who works with many different types of media but lately has been fascinated by encaustics and ravens. The two fascinations led to a series of 10 multicolored raven pieces that can be seen at Juneau Artists Gallery through the end of September. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Wax on, blow torch off: Encaustic art up this month at Juneau Artists Gallery

As Dorolyn Alper unpacked artwork to hang in the gallery, she paused to work pieces over with a cloth. After about 30 seconds of tight… Continue reading

Dorolyn Alper holds one of her pieces while looking over a table of her work. A wall behind her is also decorated with Alper’s art. She is a local artist who works with many different types of media but lately has been fascinated by encaustics and ravens. The two fascinations led to a series of 10 multicolored raven pieces that can be seen at Juneau Artists Gallery through the end of September. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book

Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book

Alaska’s fifth governor has his first memoir. Former Gov. Bill Sheffield, 90, has a new book, “Bill Sheffield: A Memoir, From the Great Depression to… Continue reading

Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book
Ricky Tagaban smiles at a Tiny Desk concert at Kindred Post. Tagaban said his work in drag and weaving are both related to gender identity. Photo by Annie Bartholomew.

Chilkat weaver, drag queen wins award and $7,500 from Rasmuson Foundation

Ricky Tagaban has a garbage bag of mountain goat wool and $7,500 in award money. Tagaban, a Chilkat weaver and drag queen, of Juneau is… Continue reading

Ricky Tagaban smiles at a Tiny Desk concert at Kindred Post. Tagaban said his work in drag and weaving are both related to gender identity. Photo by Annie Bartholomew.
Briefs: SHI sponsors series, Coastal CODE, Museum Day, Princess Sophia author talk

Briefs: SHI sponsors series, Coastal CODE, Museum Day, Princess Sophia author talk

Capital City Weekly news briefs for Sept. 12-18, 2018.

Briefs: SHI sponsors series, Coastal CODE, Museum Day, Princess Sophia author talk
Devita Stipek Writer talks about her murals and other paintings that are now gracing Carnival Cruise ships. Writer, a member of the Juneau Artist Gallery co-op, was interviewed there on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Cinderella story brings Juneau artist’s work to millions

The offer that changed Devita Stipek Writer’s life came as a surprise. In 2001, the Juneau artist received a Saturday phone call from a man… Continue reading

Devita Stipek Writer talks about her murals and other paintings that are now gracing Carnival Cruise ships. Writer, a member of the Juneau Artist Gallery co-op, was interviewed there on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
“Patches,” by Tony Piedra of Florida, is one of the pieces that will be included in the Voices of the Wilderness exhibit. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Gallery opens with Alaska wilderness artwork

A group of artists is hoping to bring people into the wilderness with their artwork, and their work is taking over a gallery at Centennial… Continue reading

“Patches,” by Tony Piedra of Florida, is one of the pieces that will be included in the Voices of the Wilderness exhibit. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Jennie Thlunaut (left) with weaving apprentice Anna Brown Ehlers. Thlunaut and Ehlers both were named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1986 and 2017 respectively. The award is the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. (Courtesy Photo | William L. Paul, Sr., Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Nonprofit buys final Chilkat blanket by renowned weaver

When she sold her final Chilkat blanket in 1985, famed Tlingit weaver Jennie Thlunaut wrote a notarized note to the buyer, Dr. Robert Page. In… Continue reading

Jennie Thlunaut (left) with weaving apprentice Anna Brown Ehlers. Thlunaut and Ehlers both were named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1986 and 2017 respectively. The award is the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. (Courtesy Photo | William L. Paul, Sr., Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Hayes picked to deliver keynote speech for state arts conference

Hayes picked to deliver keynote speech for state arts conference

The Alaska celebration of artists and art is in Fairbanks for the first time, but it will have a big Juneau connection. Ernestine Hayes, Alaska… Continue reading

Hayes picked to deliver keynote speech for state arts conference
Deputy Mayor Jerry Nankervis applauds Lily Hope for the Individual Artist Award during the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Friday, August 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

High-achieving artists recognized at annual Mayor’s Awards for the Arts

Sherry Patterson sounded grateful — and a little bemused — while accepting the Achievement in the Arts award at the annual Mayor’s Awards for the… Continue reading

Deputy Mayor Jerry Nankervis applauds Lily Hope for the Individual Artist Award during the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Friday, August 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
High-achieving artists recognized at annual Mayor’s Awards for the Arts

High-achieving artists recognized at annual Mayor’s Awards for the Arts

Sherry Patterson sounded grateful — and a little bemused — while accepting the Achievement in the Arts award at the annual Mayor’s Awards for the… Continue reading

High-achieving artists recognized at annual Mayor’s Awards for the Arts
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">COURTESY PHOTO</span> An artist rendering of the 300-seat theater in the new JACC, which will include a central seating area and a balcony.

New JACC picks up large donation

A fellow Alaska organization is helping make the new Juneau Arts and Culture Center a reality. The Carr Foundation, an Anchorage-based foundation that helps fund… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">COURTESY PHOTO</span> An artist rendering of the 300-seat theater in the new JACC, which will include a central seating area and a balcony.