ADVANCE FOR RELEASE MONDAY MAY 25, 2015 AND THEREAFTER In this May 13, 2015 photo, artist Dan Bates poses with a mural he painted 25 years ago at the North Pole Grange in North Pole, Alaska. About 25 years ago, a judge ordered artist Dan Bates to paint a mural as the penalty for a youthful indiscretion. The painting of a tractor is still featured on the side of the North Pole Grange, which was built in 1964 to promote agriculture in the Interior. (Amanda Bohman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

ADVANCE FOR RELEASE MONDAY MAY 25, 2015 AND THEREAFTER In this May 13, 2015 photo, artist Dan Bates poses with a mural he painted 25 years ago at the North Pole Grange in North Pole, Alaska. About 25 years ago, a judge ordered artist Dan Bates to paint a mural as the penalty for a youthful indiscretion. The painting of a tractor is still featured on the side of the North Pole Grange, which was built in 1964 to promote agriculture in the Interior. (Amanda Bohman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Gallery at North Pole Grange is the picture of success

  • By AMANDA BOHMAN
  • Monday, May 25, 2015 10:44pm
  • News

NORTH POLE (AP) — About 25 years ago, a judge ordered artist Dan Bates to paint a mural as the penalty for a youthful indiscretion.

The painting of a tractor is still featured on the side of the North Pole Grange, which was built in 1964 to promote agriculture in the Interior.

The grange has since become an artists’ hub, and Bates is among dozens of artists who have featured their work at the grange’s Third Friday art events.

“I’m a well-known starving artist,” joked Bates, who paints and carves, as he set up for a show at the grange last week.

The monthly art exhibitions have become a focus for the facility and a bit of a support system for the grange and for local artists. The building is located off a gravel road near the railroad tracks that lead to Flint Hills Resources.

The grange takes a commission on art sold at the art events, and the small income helps pay the bills.

“This is the project that has been keeping this grange in this building open,” said John Poirrier, president of the grange.

Last year, the North Pole Grange won an art advocacy award from the Fairbanks Arts Association and the Interior Alaska mayors.

“You can ask any artist around town, this is the best place to show your work,” Poirrier said.

It all started almost 10 years ago with a watercolor class at Ben Franklin Crafts, according to Poirrier.

When the class was over, the watercolor painters wanted to continue meeting. “This was the place where we met,” he said.

Painter Vladimir Zhikhartsev attended one of the Watercolor Wednesdays, as they were called, to teach some new techniques. He suggested to Poirrier that the grange would make a good art gallery.

“I said, ‘No. Stupid idea. You need white walls,’” Poirrier said.

The walls at the grange are log. Zhikhartsev suggested hanging lights. Poirrier decided to give it a try, and the art show was timed to coincide with a First Friday, a monthly artists exhibition held in Fairbanks.

“We served hot hors d’oeuvres,” Poirrier said. “We put on a killer First Friday show.”

The success of the show inspired more First Friday art shows at the grange. Poirrier said organizers eventually decided to switch to third Fridays after about a year.

Poirrier said art is sold at the grange also to raise money for charity. In 2011, $1,000 was raised at the North Pole Grange to help the American Red Cross response in Japan after an earthquake and tsunami.

Art show organizers are experimenting with offering live music at the Third Friday events. Poirrier said he is also encouraging other organizations and businesses in North Pole to have special offerings on the third Friday of the month. He hopes to make North Pole a third Friday destination.

“We have our ups and downs, but we are going strong,” Poirrier said.

Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com

More in News

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer
Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council mulls change to meeting time

Meetings would be moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. under a resolution set to be considered on June 25.

Mountain View Elementary School is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View vandalized by children, police say

Staff who arrived at the school on Monday found significant damage, according to police.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Minimum wage increases to $13 per hour on July 1

Since 2014, Alaska’s minimum wage has increased from $7.75 to $11.91 through the Alaska Wage and Hour Act.

Leads for the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements Project field questions and showcase their “preferred design” during an open house meeting at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Preferred design alternative for Sterling Highway safety corridor introduced at town hall

The project is intended to redesign and construct improvements to the highway to reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions.

Alaska State Troopers badge. File photo
Recovered remains confirmed to be missing Texas boaters; fourth set of remains found

Remains were recovered from the vessel sank that in Kachemak Bay last August.

Most Read