Download - February 2007 newsletter
State of the Arts
I N T H I S I S S U EG a l l E r y E x H I b I T p 6 - 7
a r T E x p o p 8 - 9
c a l E N d a r o f E v E N T S p 1 0
c a l l f o r a r T I S T S p 1 1
p 2 f a a W r I T I N G I N T H E d a r k
p 3 r E a d I N G S E r I E S & G a l l E r y a r T I S T
p 4 f a a a f f I l I aT E S p o T l I G H T
p 5 v o l U N T E E r T H a N k S
“Promoting contemPorary and traditional arts in alaska’s interior.”
The monthly newsletter of Fairbanks Arts Association February 2007
� Fairbanks arts association•February�007
FAA’s 2007 Writing in the DArk: ”TransformingPersonalExperienceintoArt”by Rachael Kvapil
I remember one of the most inspirational
writing moments in 2006. I was sitting on
the couch at the Four Winds Foundation
staring at a piece of paper with a single
word “Univesence.” Our guest speaker
Jerah Chadwick was instructing us to write
something about the word given to us by a
fellow writer in the room. I raised my hand
and asked, “What if I don’t know what my
word means?” Jerah laughed and said, “Write
whatever comes to mind then.”
Every “Writing in the Dark Retreat” has
provided an inspiration. It didn’t matter if
the guest speaker wrote mysteries (John
Straley), non-fiction (Sherry Simpson), or
poetry (Jerah Chadwick). Each writer brought
information and exercises that applied to the
process of writing. The remote setting at Four
Winds Foundation provides a snow covered
landscape that inspires and offers just enough
escapism from the fast paced “real world.”
This year Marjorie Kowalski Cole is the guest
presenter. Her session is titled: “Transforming
Personal Experience into Art.”
“Some people say personal experience is all
that we really have along with imagination
and faith,” says Marjorie. “Adventures and
personal experience are what brings life to
our fiction, poetry, and essays.”
Marjorie grew up in Fairbanks, earned an
M.A. in English from UAF and an M.L.S. from
the University of Washington. She taught and
worked in libraries in Alaska until 1998, when
she turned to writing full time. Her poetry
and short stories have appeared in many
journals, including ‘Grain,’ ‘Chattahoochee
Review,’ ‘Alaska Quarterly Review,’ ‘Ice Floe,’
‘Passages North,’ ‘Cream City Review,’ ‘Room
of One’s Own,’ ‘Seattle Review’ and others, and
her work has received awards from ‘Glimmer
Train,’ ‘Explorations,’ ‘Cream City Review’ and
the ‘Ester Republic.’ Her
essays have appeared in
‘Commonweal,’ ‘Poets and
Writers,’ the ‘Los Angeles
Times,’ ‘National Catholic
Reporter and others. In
2004, she was awarded
the Bellwether Prize for
her novel, Correcting the
Landscape, about her
hometown of Fairbanks.
The $30 pre-registration fee ($35 at the
door) includes a continental breakfast and
lunch. Writers are encouraged to bring
journals, inspirational writings to share
and, above all, their love of writing.
Over the years I have made many friends
because of the Writing in the Dark Retreat. For
instance, Betty Higbe admitted that she made
up the word ‘univesence’ and thoroughly
enjoyed the humorous philosophies about
the ‘Essence of the Universe’ that the word
inspired. Every now and then she’ll ask if I’ve
managed to find a spot for the word in any of
my science fiction pieces.
Writing in the Dark 2007“Transforming Personal Experience into Art”
featuring Marjorie Kowalski Cole
Name:__________________________________________________________ Phone:
Address:________________________________________________________ E-mail:$30 for Early Registration. Registration must be postmarked or delivered Saturday, February10th to receive this rate. Registration can be dropped off at the FAA Bear Gallery, 3rd Floor, AlaskaCentennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way. Cost is $35 after February 10th.
Method of Payment: Check Enclosed MC/Visa Amount:
Card Number:
Expiration date:
Signature:
Return to:Fairbanks Arts AssociationP.O. Box 72786Fairbanks, AK 99707-2786
Breakfast & Lunch Included!
February�007•Fairbanks arts association �
.:: Reading Series ‘07f a i r b a n k s a r t s a s s o c i a t i o n
Libbie Martin
Libbie Martin is a transplant from California who gave up the sun and the sand for snow and wilderness when she moved to Fairbanks in 2005. She has been writing professionally for more than 20 years, but it is rumoured that she started writing as a toddler, frantically scrawling stories while other kids her age were making like Picasso on the walls. (It is also rumoured that her first writing implement was a purple crayon).
Libbie's training in journalism and her penchant for remarkably odd jobs (casino blackjack dealer, office manager for non-profits, Girl Scout leader, supervising DUI pre-sentence cases, and so on) make her a keen observer of life's absurdities, and she enjoys nothing more than putting those absurdities to words. She writes book reviews for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner under the moniker of The Armchair Adventurer. She writes poetry, novels and biographies. Her first book, "We'll Give Him A Hearty Welcome, Then ..." won several awards from the Sacramento Publishers and Authors organization in 2005.
The Monthly Literary Reading isSaturday, February 3 at 7pm in the FAA Bear Gallery.
reADing series: LibbieMartin
Suraiya John was born raised in Fairbanks and comes from generations of Athabascan artists. With family ties stretching through the Upper Tanana Region of Tetlin, her Athabascan heritage has given her the opportunity to develop skills that range from carving to singing to beadwork. Her grandmother Yvonne John and her great-grandmother Jesse Mark taught her the art of beadwork and basketry, and she is proud to carry on time-honored traditions into today.
Her beadwork honors traditional patterns while introducing modern styles. Her specialty includes necklaces, wall art, and skin sewing. She is also learning to sew traditional porcupine quills in addition to developing advance basketry techniques. Through art she hopes to bridge the world of her ancestors’ traditions with that of the modern world.
She is excited to be featured as a featured artist in the FAA Bear Gallery Gift Shop.
gAllery Artist For FebruAry: SuraiyaJohn
� Fairbanks arts association•February�007
F.A
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uiltersGuild The Cabin Fever Quilters
Guild began in 1979 with five ladies
who wanted to gather together
others interested in the art of quilting.
Over 28 years the Guild has grown to
include hundreds of members from
Fairbanks, other towns in Alaska
and around the world. Members
meet monthly for a regular business
meeting that includes a show and
tell of quilt projects, drawings (block
of the month, fat quarters and door
prizes) and possibly a technique
demonstration.
The Guild offers other
activities in addition to monthly
meetings such as Community
Service, which provides quilts to
burn-out families throughout the
year.
January, “Quilting in the Snow,” offers
a two-day weekend retreat held at Chena Hot
Springs Resort for guild members who enjoy
classes and relaxation.
February offers participation in
“Secret Pals.” Each participant is given the
name of another and throughout the year
“Secret Pals” give surprise gifts to each other
throughout the year.
New Members Tea is often scheduled
in March and held at the Pioneers Home.
April introduces our Annual Potluck
and potholder exchange.
June brings us a Solstice Quilting
Party where we quilt all day and all night.
In July we host the eagerly
anticipated Brennest Quilt Show at the Bear
Gallery.
In August we sponsor the Small
Quilt Auction at the Tanana Valley Fair and
host the Quilt Show that showcases quilting
talent from throughout the Interior.
October marks the end of our
Guild year with an Annual Banquet at a local
restaurant with special door prizes and the
installation of new officers.
November the Guild participates
in the University of Alaska Women’s Holiday
Bazaar at Wood Center.
In December we have an ornament
exchange. Each member brings hand crafted
holiday ornaments and leaves with another.
Our meetings are held in the multi
purpose room of Monroe Highschool the 3rd
Tuesday of each month at 7:15pm. Please
consider joining–come visit at a meeting!
February�007•Fairbanks arts association �
to our WonDerFul Volunteers!Thankyou
GalleryDocentsKathy DubbsJane GregoryCheryl JoensEdie BarbourLee HarrisLaura ChristosFrances SchulzMary Lou JorissenHelga WagenleiterDebbie BayerPenny WakefieldHeika VigMary MartinDan BandelDoug Von Gausig
FirstFridayCrewVi RobinsonPeggy BirkenbuelCheryl Joens
TimeOutatNoonKarl MonettiRachael Kvapil
VolunteerNeeds:• First Friday Crew (Greeters and Food Preparation)Friday, February 2, from 4-9pmFAA Bear Gallery
• Gallery Docents (Gift shop sales, Gallery Attendant)
• Reading Crew (Setup Crew and Food Preparation) Saturday, February 3 from 5-9pm
• School Performance Ushers for IONA Dance (help seat students)Friday, February 16, 9:15am and 11:15am at Hering Auditorium
• Writing in the Dark (Setup, Registration and Food Preparation) Saturday, February 17 at 7am
• Time Out at Noon Performers Tuesday and Thursday from Noon to 1pm
Come see us at the UAF Volunteer Fair! Wood Center, 11am-2pm February 15th.
contact: rachael kvapil [email protected] 456-6485 ex: 226
FebruaryCommittee sCheDule:
Literary Arts CommitteeThursday, February 8, 5:30pm
Community Writers GroupSunday, February 11, 1-4pm
Community Arts CommitteeWednesday, February 14, NOON
Far North Conservation Film Festival
Wednesday, February 14, 2:30pm
Literary Arts CommitteeWednesday, February, 5:30pm
Cinema Arts CommitteeWednesday, February 21, 5:30pm
All meetings in the Bear Gallery, 3rd Floor of the
Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way
For more information: 456-6485 ext. 227
or go towww.fairbanksarts.org
Bring lunchEnjoy a FREE performance
Meet local talentin the Exhibit Hall
Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts
Tuesday & ThursdayNoon to 1 pm
sponsored by Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and RecreationTimeout @ NOON
� Fairbanks arts association•February�007
FebruAry gAllery exhibit: pAtterns oF inFluenCe: JeremyKane“ChangingTimes”
February Gallery exhibit - “Changing Times”, Jeremy Kane Exhibit Dates: February 2-24
Opening Reception: Friday, February 2, 5-8pm
Patterns of Influence is Fairbanks Arts
Association’s only juried exhibit with a theme.
This year Jeremy Kane, Assistant Professor
of Art at the University of Alaska Southeast,
will jury submissions based on the theme
“Changing Times.” The following description of
Kane was written by Stephanie Lanter, writer
and friend of Kane who featured the artist in
her article “Semi Porcelain: American Jr. Ware
Ceramics”:
“Stripes of Semi-truck decals ramble down the
sides of “Jr.” Jeremy Kane’s Chinese-looking
lidded jar. Pink “His” and Blue “Hers” spittoons
sit nearby in his studio. A hillbilly potter with
schoolboy savvy, Mr. Kane’s fancy clay and
mixed-media wares satirize the mechanisms
of capitalism as well as consumers themselves.
Contemporary mythologist Lewis Hyde calls
the artist/trickster a “culture hero,” a brand
fitting Jr. like Levis on a wrangler. “Most at
home on the road or at the [neon] twilight
edge of town” and “always out to satisfy an
inordinate appetite” a trickster is a “dirt worker”
who “usefully disturbs the shape of things
by crossing or reworking the line between
the elevated and the excremental.” Kane’s
progressive honkeytonkin’ with traditional
objets d’Americana pushes common and
esoteric values into simultaneous question
and preservation.”
“Highly crafted porcelain objects act as a canvas
to facilitate my ideas about America,” says Kane.
“Through the use of historical techniques and
found objects I narrate my thoughts on the
culture in which I grew up. These ideas stem
from the ideas that occur when associating
amongst many “types” of people. My pieces
are sturdy and often modified with chrome
additions, rubber and metal to pay homage
to trucks, antiques and industrial design. They
contain bright colors and narratives about
specifically American attributes. They embody
everyday common images. Just as the willow
pattern is specific to china, the images I choose
are American. Semi-trucks, flames, American
flags, mud-flap ladies and humorous phrases
are appropriated on the forms. The images
are proud, similar to stickers plastered against
and old instrument case or on the bumper of a
family station wagon. These are souvenirs and
icons of American culture.”
On January 29th, Kane will give a slide lecture called “hOrrible, humOrOus, and ‘made in america.’” the presenta-tiOn will taKe place in the blue rOOm, On the third flOOr Of the alasKa cen-tennial center fOr the arts exhibit hall, piOneer parK, 2300 airpOrt way.
February�007•Fairbanks arts association 7
Fairbanks Arts Association’sThirteenth Annual
Statewide Poetry ContestThe Fairbanks Arts Association’s Literary Arts Committee is now accepting entries for the 13th Annual Poetry Contest.The purpose of the contest is to encourage, publicize, and reward the writing of high quality poetry.
Divisions: Awards:
Adult First Place $150 - Second Place $100 –Third Place $50
High School First Place $100 - Second Place $50 – Third Place $25
Grade and Middle School First Place $50 - Second Place $30 – Third Place $15
Poetry Judge will be Peggy Schumaker – Peggy was born in La Mesa, California and grew up in Tucson, Arizona. She
earned her B.A. in English and M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona.
Peggy was writer in residence for the Arizona Commission on the Arts, working with prison
inmates, honors students, gang members, deaf adults, teen parents, little kids, library patrons
and elderly folks. She won a poetry fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and
several awards for teaching. She served as Poet in Residence at the Stadler Center for Poetry
at Bucknell University and as President of the Board of Directors of the Associated Writing
Programs. Professor emerita from University of Alaska Fairbanks, Peggy was Chair of the
English Department and Director of the M.F.A. program in Creative Writing. She currently
teaches in the low-residency Rainier Writing Workshop. Peggy and her husband Joe Usibelli
live in Fairbanks, Alaska and travel widely.
DEADLINE: 5PM ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2007Entries must be postmarked (or hand-delivered to the Fairbanks Arts Association’s Bear
Gallery) by that date.Entry Fee Grade, Middle, and High School: $3 per poem or $10/four poems.
Adults: $4 per poem or $13/four poems.
• No more than four poems per author may be entered.• All poems must be original.• Each must be typed on an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper and may not exceed 100 lines in length.• Cover page should include name, address, phone and category, as well as the title of all poems submitted.
AUTHOR’S NAME SHOULD NOT APPEAR ON ANY POEMS.No entries will be returned. A list of winners will be sent if SASE is included.
Send entries with entry fee to: (Checks should be made payable to Fairbanks Arts Association)
Fairbanks Arts AssociationFAA Poetry Contest 2007
P.O. Box 72786Fairbanks, AK 99707
The Literary Arts Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. onthe second Thursday of each month in the BearGallery.
For more information call 456-6485 x226 or [email protected]
The Literary Arts Committee of the Fairbanks Arts Association, an organization funded by Private, Corporate and Foundation memberships and donations,City of Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, sponsors this contest.
� Fairbanks arts association•February�007
Join us for ArtEXPO 2007!March 17 & 18 11am-5pm
Alaska Centennial Center for the ArtsPioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way
Friday Events Saturday Events
February�007•Fairbanks arts association �
Friday Events Saturday Events
Application for Exhibit Space
ART EXPO 2007
Saturday, March 17 & Sunday, March 18
Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts
Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way
Name:
Business Name:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
Phone: E-mail: Fax:
Number of Spaces ($100 for a 9’x 8’ space) Two Tables provided per single space.
Will you need an electrical outlet? Yes No .(Extension cords not provided.)
Please let us know if you have special needs, every effort will be made toaccommodate requests.
Description of Product Line: (First time participants in Art Expo please
send a photo or sample of your work)
You will be billed $100 for each space at time of acceptance.Submit application to:
Fairbanks Arts Association
PO Box 72786 • Fairbanks, AK 99707
Exhibit space is limited. Assignments will be made in order of the date received.
Fairbanks Arts Association reserves the right to accept only those exhibits that
reflect the character of the show.
A $25 application fee will be added to all applications
received after February 15, 2007.
10 Fairbanks arts association•February�007
CAlenDAr oF EventsFairbanks Summer Arts FestivalContact [email protected] Choir featuringBobby Lewis and Eustace JohnsonMonday, February 12th-Friday, February 16th, performance Sunday, February 18th
in Sacred Heart Cathedral @ 4 PM
Fairbanks Shakespeare TheatreContact: [email protected] for “The Monkey King”Saturday February 3rd, 2-4:30 PMNoel Wien Library Auditorium; Sunday, February 4th, 2-5 PM Empress Theatre
Festival of Native ArtsContact [email protected] of Native Arts Annual Benefitfeaturing Tezkatlipoka Danza AztecaSaturday, February 24th @ 6 PMSunday, February 25th @ 6 PM, doors open at 5:30 PMWest Valley Performing Arts Center
Society of Children’s BookWriters & IllustratorsContact Chérie [email protected] Chat Social Hour - [1st Saturday]Saturday, February 3rd 4:00 - 5:00PMAlaska Coffee Roasting Company
Opera FairbanksContact: [email protected] Tunes/Merrie Melodies Opera/Music CartoonsSunday, February 18th 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM & 7 PMAlaska Centennial Center for the Arts Theatre
Fairbanks Concert AssociationContact: [email protected]
The Italian Saxophone QuartetSaturday, February 10th @ 8 PM IONA Dance: Hawaiian Myths & LegendsSunday, February 18th @ 4 PMBoth shows at Hering Auditorium
Fairbanks Drama AssociationContact: [email protected] Round-Up Party for 2007 Mortgage MakersFebruary 3rd from 7 to 9 PMART February 9th –25th
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:15pm, Sundays at 2pm. Both events at the Riverfront Theatre
UA Museum of the NorthContact [email protected]/museumMuseum Lecture Recording Culture: Ethnographic Film Past and Present Thursday, February 8th @ 7 PM; Museum Film Festival Culture on Film: The Best of the Society for Visual Anthropology Friday, February 9th through Sunday, February 11th; Member’s Reception Meet the Curators Thursday, February 15th, 5:30 - 7:30 PM; Saturday Family Program Ice Carving with Mark & Mimi Chapin Saturday, February 24th from 10 AM – Noon; Special Exhibit The Nature and Art of Collection February 10 - April 29, 2007
Fairbanks Symphony AssociationContact: 474-5733 or 474-5852www.fairbankssymphony.orgCello Recital Thursday, February 22, 2007, 8pm Andres Diaz, cello Eduard Zilberkant, pianoAndres Diaz returns to perform Dvorak Sunday, February 25, 2007, 4pm
Fairbanks Arts Association Fairbanks Arts Association was established in 1966 to promote and support the arts in the Fairbanks area. The Association is funded by private, corporate, and foundation memberships and donations, City of Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. With assistance from professional staff and charitable volunteers, the Association provides services in five areas: Visual, Literary, Performing, Community Arts and Arts Education. The Association also helps raise funds for other arts groups, provides technical assistance and support for arts programming, encourages and advises individual artists beginning organizations and sponsors workshops and educational meetings.
Board of DirectorsCorlis Taylor, PresidentMarcella Hill, Vice PresidentLeafy McBride, SecretaryMyrna Colp, Treasurer
Members:Bob DempseyJerrie GrahamJoan StackShane HurdLorraine Peterson
StaffJune Rogers, Executive Director Sherry Faught, Office Manager/Bookkeeper Rachael Kvapil, Program DirectorGabriel Lopez-Shaw, Tech AssistantIgor Pasternak, Gallery AssistantTanya Clayton, Gallery Assistant
Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra Eduard Zilberkant, conductor Andres Diaz, celloBoth events: Charles Davis Concert Hall
Ice AlaskaContact: [email protected] Ice Art ChampionshipsSingle-block Classic: February 27th - March 1st Multi-block Classic: March 4th – 9th Lighting Ceremony, March 10th Best viewing of finished sculptures: March 10th – 18th The Ice Park will be open until March 25th, weather permitting, just off Phillips Field Road
February�007•Fairbanks arts association 11
opportunities For Artists
1� Fairbanks arts association•February�007
P.O. Box 72786 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
Non-ProfitOrganization
U.S. Postage PaidFairbanks, Alaska
Permit No. 17
Volunteer oF the month: ViRobinson I came to the Fairbanks Arts Association in the late eighties for
job training. I learned may skills like bulk mailing and early lessons
on the computer. My greatest enlightenment was about the many,
many forms of art. I am a lifelong Alaskan, born and raised in
Chistochina through my teens. Unfortunately in my era there was
no school and so my foster mother read to us during the long
winter evenings. She read many classics like Lewis Caroll’s Alice in
Wonderland, which gave me great appreciation for literature into my
adult years. I really enjoy FAA’s Monthly Literary Readings in the Bear
Gallery and Gazebo Nights in summer months.
Lately I have been involved with the Dinners in the Home
Program as a driver. I enjoy meeting all the visitors and
showing them the Fairbanks I have come to know over
forty years. I am so glad to have had the opportunity
to be involved with FAA. It has really enriched my life!
I am glad to have met so many creative and friendly
people. I am thankful for my time there.
State of the ArtsThe monthly newsletter of Fairbanks Arts Association February 2007