First Fridays offer evening of art at downtown galleries
Organizer Leah Sturgis hopes the events will be monthly
Leah Sturgis has been bringing art to the people for the past year. Now she's working to bring people to the art.
Sturgis, who operates the gallery Rock Paper Scissors, has organized a series of exhibits she's calling First Fridays Art Walk. The event begins Friday, Oct. 4, in conjunction with the opening of exhibits at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council and the Alaska State Museum. Receptions will be held at all three locations from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Sturgis has encouraged a dozen Juneau galleries to stay open late the first Friday of each month through April. She's planning for the first Friday to become a monthly evening of art, with galleries showcasing the work of a different artist every month.
Sturgis will feature Juneau artist Heidi Reifenstein at Rock Paper Scissors. Reifenstein has about 15 new paintings for the show, as well as prints and drawings. Many of her paintings are mixed media on canvas and combine oil paint, wax and organic materials. Some are mounted in deep, box-like frames with light fixtures inside.
"I've been doing a lot of work with wax and putting light behind them," she said. "I also have drawings on paper mounted on glass that can be displayed in a window."
Sturgis opened Rock Paper Scissors in the summer of 2001 with several friends. The gallery at 245 Marine Way features the work of Juneau artists and crafters, as well as imported goods.
Sturgis said Paradise Lunch and Bakery next door will be open late, and the Panhandle Crabgrass Revival Band will perform in the covered patio between the restaurant and gallery.
KTOO-TV and radio will display the work of Juneau painter Rob Roys in the hallways of the station this month, and will open the exhibit Friday during the First Fridays event. The state museum will open the photography exhibit Alaska Positive 2002, and the arts council will show the work of Nikki Morris and Patrick Ripp.
Other participating galleries include Kodiak Coat Co., Rick Clair Studio, Lisa Blacher Pottery and Spiral Studio, Spirit Beads, Annie Kaill's, Studio 154, Rufus K. Page, Northern Nook, Midnight Sun Gifts, Talisman Rug Gallery, Juneau Artists Gallery, Friendly Planet Trading Co. and the Beasley's Gallery.