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


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!


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


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.


Join us for ArtEXPO 2007!March 17 & 18 11am-5pm

Alaska Centennial Center for the ArtsPioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way

Friday Events Saturday Events


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

Documents

February 2007 newsletter