At the Kenai Art Center this month, a varied display of subjects and mediums are represented for “Infusion,” a juried show.
The show features tapestries, paintings, mosaics and ceramics, each adhering to the loose theme of the title — “the introduction of a new element or quality into something.”
Marco Mendoza was among the jury for the show. He said the show challenged him and the other members of the jury to expand their understanding of the theme.
“Where’s the infusion here?” he asked. The answer could take many different forms.
The jury had to choose both which pieces to include in the show and name the award-winning works. Moira Ireland received Best of Show for “Refreshing,” a mixed media painting; Linda Vizenor claimed second place for “Our Happy Place,” a glass mosaic; and Matthew Bryan Olds secured third place with “Low Tide,” a clay and glass bowl.
“Trying to interpret the word infusion with all the pieces that we were seeing — so many different types of media — made it really interesting to choose,” Mendoza said.
A call for art show is always interesting, because “you never get the same thing.” In “Infusion,” he said, “there’s portraits, there’s illustration, there’s quilt work, there’s abstract paint, there’s incorporations of different mediums.”
“What’s really fun is seeing the overall difference.”
“Infusion” doubles as a fundraiser for the Kenai Art Center. At the opening reception on Friday, Kenai River Brewing launched a new beer titled Cherry Alchemy Ale, infused with black forest cherry. The center is also selling commemorative posters and beer cubs, with all proceeds directed to maintenance and upkeep of the center.
A card displayed near the door of the center says that there are four major projects necessary at the center, together totaling $259,000. The center’s boiler and roof need to be replaced, a new lighting system needs to be installed, and the masonry of the building exterior needs to be reinforced.
The exhibition will be available for viewing at the Kenai Art Center during business hours, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday until March 28.
For more information about the Kenai Art Center, visit kenaiartcenter.org or find “Kenai Art Center” on Facebook.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
“Refreshing” by Moira Ireland is displayed with a Best in Show ribbon during the opening reception for “Infusion” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
“Our Happy Place” by Linda Vizenor is displayed with a second-place ribbon during the opening reception for “Infusion” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Tune Weavers perform during the opening reception for “Infusion” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees admire “Neon Poppies” by Chelline Larsen during the opening reception for “Infusion” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
