Gallery walk art openings

Gallery Walk, the biggest First Friday event of the year, takes place this Friday, Dec. 2. Most downtown galleries and shops will be open for business until about 8 p.m. Here’s a look at the art openings.

“New Ceramics” by Andrew Heist

JAHC Gallery

Juneau Arts & Culture Center

Reception: 4:30–7 p.m.

Ceramic artist Andrew Heist will be exhibiting recent ceramic work created during his residency period at the Red Lodge Clay Center, a state-of-the-art facility in Montana that brings together artists from around the nation to work in a group studio setting. Heist, a 2011 recipient of an Individual Artist Award grant from the Rasmuson Foundation, has lived in Juneau since 2005 and has been an active member of the ceramics studio at the University of Alaska Southeast since then.

All of the work is functional and available for purchase through the JACC gallery.

Painting with the Masters,” work by 15 REACH artists

The Canvas Community Art Studio & Gallery

223 Seward St.

Reception: 4:30-7 p.m.

This year’s December show is based on the practice of “master copying,” which dates back to the early 14th century. Apprentices would study the techniques of master artists by copying the works and style until they were good enough to move on and establish their own studio.

Over the last nine months, 15 REACH artists have been studying and copying the works of masters such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, and Mondrian, in many cases blending their own artistic sensibilities with those of the masters.

Most of the pieces on display were created in multiple sessions, ranging anywhere from two weeks to seven months. The artists typically worked in a layered fashion and employed a variety of mediums to achieve their desired effects.

Photography by Mary Vanderjack

The Learning Connection

210 Ferry Way

Opening reception: 4:30- 7:30 p.m.

Local artist Mary Vanderjack will show her nature photography at this event, a new venue for First Friday openings.  

Refreshments will be served, and The Learning Connection staff will be available to answer questions about the center’s free community programs.

“Words of Advice,” by Sarah Conarro and Giselle Stone

Alaska Litho

228 Seward St.

Reception: 4-8 p.m.

“Words of Advice” is a collection of text-based prints by Sarah Conarro and Giselle Stone, created on the original Heidelberg letterpress and then layered with colorful washes and hand-drawn art. See story above.

Also at this event: Perseverance Theatre with Christmas Carol trivia for prizes, Sitka author Will Swagel’s “Bight Before Christmas” for sale, KINY broadcasting live, the 2012 Alaska Litho poster calendar giveaway, and a selection of treats and drinks.

New work by various artists

Annie Kaill’s

244 Front St.

Reception: 4:30-close

This year’s event features watercolor artist Sandra Greba, mulitmedia artist Alice Tersteeg, abstract painter Rob Roys, paper artist Sherri McDonald and mixed-media artist Karen Beason.

Photography by Larry Johansen

Alaska USA, Marine Way branch

One Sealaska Plaza

Reception: 4:30-6 p.m.

This Chamber of Commerce event will feature Larry Johansen’s photography on canvas. In this show, Ketchikan-born Johansen explores the 18 wilderness areas that exist within the Alexander Archipelago.

The event will also feature appetizers from Silverbow Bakery and a contest.

“Eat, Drink and Be Merry,” pottery by Colette Oliver

Juneau Artists Gallery

175 S. Franklin St.

Reception: 4:30-7 p.m.

Colette Oliver will be presenting new pottery designs embracing the theme of celebration — “Eat, Drink and Be Merry.” New porcelain drinking vessels include wine and martini shaped glasses, eggnog and punch cups, mugs, rocks glasses, shot glasses, flasks, bottles and more. Oliver will also have platters, cookie plates, candy dishes and a variety of bowls, as well as other works. All work is thrown on a potter’s wheel or handbuilt with porcelain clay which is food, oven, microwave and dishwasher safe.

“Small Works,” paintings by Constance Baltuck, Barbara Craver, Cristine Crooks and Jane Stokes

Franklin Street Gallery, Baranof Hotel

127 N. Franklin St.

Reception: 4:30-6:30 p.m.

The Franklin Street Gallery at the Baranof Hotel will feature small works by Constance Baltuck, Barbara Craver, Cristine Crooks and Jane Stokes. Colleen Goldrich’s handmade Moondance Jewelry will also be available.

Baltuck, whose work is currently on display at the Alaska State Museum, will show 18 paintings from a trip to France, Crooks will show pastels, Craver will have small pastels and acrylics, and Stokes will have small watercolors.

Dan Hopson's new CD, "Dan Hopson's Solo Classic Guitar," will also be available for purchase at the reception. Hopson plays guitar at the Baranof Hotel every weekend, and his new CD features one of Baltuck's paintings on the cover.

This opening will also feature a wine tasting and live music with Tom Locher.

The art of David Woodie

Figment Contemporary Gallery and Gifts

175 S. Franklin St.

Reception: 4:30-8 p.m.

David Woodie will show a selection of his works at one of Juneau’s newest galleries, Figment, located across from the Juneau Artists Gallery in the Senate Building.

Four continuing exhibits

Alaska State Museum

395 Whittier St.

Reception: 4:30-7 p.m.

Four exhibits are currently on display at the state museum: two solo exhibits. Constance Baltuck’s “Recent Works” and Averyl Veliz’ “A Klondike Tale,” and two shows based on the material birch, “Boreal Birch” and “Versatile Birch.”

Rasmuson Retrospective and felted works by Sara Lee

Juneau-Douglas City Museum

Fourth and Main streets

Reception: 4:30–7:30 p.m.

Rasmuson Retrospective features artworks by local artists that have been purchased through the Rasmuson Foundation’s Art Acquisition Fund since 2003. Artists include: portrait dolls by Mary Ellen Frank, Anna Brown Ehlers, Rie Muñoz, Ella Johnson-Bentley and Salty Hanes, Barbara Craver, Charity Green, David Woodie, Dan DeRoux, Rick Clair, and Devita Stipek Writer, Richard Beasley and Michael Beasley, David Walker, Rachael Juzeler Mark Daughhetee, Marilyn Holmes, Brandon Hauser and Jack Hermle.

The museum gift shop will feature “Felted Forest Friends: Ornaments by Sara Lee” through Dec. 31. Both an artist and biologist, Lee’s felted creations include starfish and woodland critters, bird ornaments, and satchels felted into organic root designs. All items are available for cash and carry.

“Chez Alaska Cooking School Cookbook”

Hearthside Books downtown

First Friday booksigning: 4:30-7 p.m.

Hearthside Books will host Laraine and Romer Derr and Sharon Barton from Chez Alaska, who will sign copies of “The Chez Alaska Cooking School Cookbook” and offer food tastings from the book, as well as Romer’s famous sourdough starter.

Work by Allie High

Heritage Coffee, Franklin Street Cafe

174 S. Franklin St

Reception: 4-6 p.m.

Wrangell-based artist Allie High is of Tshimshian, Haida and Aleut descent and is a visual artist as well as a carver. She will show a selection of Northwest Coast formline design prints at the downtown Heritage.

“Movie Connection Series” by Mos Beya

Silverbow Backroom

120 Second St.

Reception: 4-8 p.m.

Mostapha Beya, who opened a show last month at the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council Gallery, will open a new show of 20 pieces at the Silverbow called the “Movie Connection Series.”

When Beya moved to the U.S. from Morocco, he did not speak any English. Watchingmovies became a way to teach himself the language. This important change for the artist is represented through this series of pieces.

Beya went on to become a successful interpreter in the U.S. Army.

Paintings and drawings by Jackie Manning and Chris Taylor

The Rookery Cafe

111 Seward St .

Reception: 4-8 p.m.

The Rookery will feature paintings and drawings by Jackei Manning and Chris Taylor. Ryan Cortes will provide live music.

Taylor is also curator of the “Painting with the Masters” series” opening at the Canvas (see Canvas entry for details).

Aunt Claudia’s Dolls

114 S Franklin Suite 105, above Hearthside Books

Open hours: 2-8 p.m. Friday, 12-5 p.m. Saturday

Aunt Claudia’s Dolls is a Juneau museum displaying the large collection of Claudia Kelsey’s dolls and miniatures. They will also feature figures from Native areas of Alaska, Canada and Russia in the revolving display area. Douglas doll artist Mary Ellen Frank’s studio, located within the museum, will also be open for viewing.

Frank, collection curator, will host the event on Friday, and the collection’s current owner, Bea Shepard, will host on Saturday.

New illustrations by Pat Race and graphic designs by Sarah Asper-Smith

The Ruby Room

174 S. Franklin St, in the Emporium Mall (behind Heritage Coffee)

Reception: 4:30-7 p.m.

In addition to work by Alaska Robotics crew members Race and Asper-Smith, the Ruby Room will be offering the new Alaska Robotics DVD of shorts for sale, as well as graphic novels and locally designed shirts.

New coats by Bridget Milligan

Kodiak Coat Company

245 Marine Way

Reception: 4:30-7 p.m.

Milligan's latest designs include short leather jackets with fur collars.

Performance by Riley Woodford

Rainy Retreat Books

113 Seward St.

Performance: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Juneau naturalist, author, singer/songwriter and father Riley Woodford will perform a selection of songs at this Gallery Walk event.

Local art extravaganza

KTOO

360 Egan Drive

Reception: 4-6:30 p.m.

KTOO will showcase the work of several well-known Juneau artists for Gallery Walk, including Charity Green, Brandon Hauser, Ryan Cortes, Bill Glude, John Hyde, Dave Volkmar, Averyl Velize, Jerimiah Blankenship, David Riccio, Scott Baxter, Gabe Trujillo, Roald Simonson, Rob Roys and Jayleen Beedle. Many of the pieces will be for sale.

Attendees can also get a sneak preview of items in KTOO’s Holiday Radio Auction, scheduled for Saturday.

New works by Salty and Jim Hanes, Shiela Alexandrovich and Sue Kraft

Bentwood and Bead Gallery

315 Third St.

reception: 4-7:30 p.m.

Salty Haines will show knitted hats and berets, crocheted beaded bags, beaded moccasins, and beaded wall pictures; and Jim Haines will be exhibiting his carved moon face door harps, an 8-foot yellow cedar sculpted pole supporting a totemic copper killer whale by Dave Galanin of Sitka, and a red alder polar bear sculpture.

Shiela Alexandrovich has new felted raw wool hats, scarves, table mats and wall hangings; and Sue Kraft will have on display her 10 most recent paintings.

Poetry reading with Richard Stokes

Paradise Cafe

245 Marine Way

Reception: 5-7 p.m.

Local poet Richard Stokes will read a selection of poems from his new book, “Juneau Seasons.” and previous works such as last year’s release ”Notes Searching for a Tune.”

Homemade chili will be available for purchase from 5-7 p.m.

“Juneau: The View From Inside” paintings by Meghan Grunow and Danielle Edmunds

Wilderness Peaks Gallery

159 S. Franklin St.

Reception: 4-8 pm

Sisters Meghan Grunow and Danielle Edmunds, who grew up in Juneau explore some of Juneau’s “locals only” nuances, secret places, and hidden treasures in their combined show.

Stackable rings trunk show, cookies and live music

Jewel Box

248 Front St.

Reception: 4-8p.m.

Festivities at the Jewel Box will include “diamond cookies” and holiday music by The Chapel by the Lake bell choir.

Discovery Southeast membership appreciation event

Foggy Mountain Shop

Reception: 4:30-7 p.m.

Discovery Southeast members get 20 percent off anything in Foggy Mountain Shop in a special member appreciation event. The shop will also be accepting new memberships ($30) during the event.

“Beneath the Mendenhall,” photos by Jason Soza

Heritage Coffee, Second Street Cafe

216 Second St.

Reception: 4-8 p.m.

In “Beneath the Mendenhall,” local photographer Jason Soza presents photos taken over two trips to the same glacier cave this summer.

“Livin’ Paradise,” work by Charity Green and Carrie Baxter Graham

Paradise Beach Tanning & Travel Salon

Merchant’s Wharf

Reception: 4– 8 p.m.

This show will combine artwork and accessories by Charity Green and Carrie Baxter Graham.