Arts and culture

The basket catches fire on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 at Mariner Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Homer ‘OPENS’ itself to annual Burning Basket project

This year’s basket was the 22nd to be created in Homer.

 

TSR

Alaska World Arts Festival returns for 7th year

The annual event, which aims to cultivate connections through the arts, will kick off on Friday, Sept. 12.

 

Ceramics by Jenny Nakao are on display through September 2025 at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Bunnell Street Arts Center

1st Friday of fall

Fall is in the air and new art is on display in Homer’s galleries.

 

”Autonomy Abduction” is a photograph taken by Amaia Nicole Crain in 2022 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Amaia Nicole Crain

Pushing boundaries

Homer photographer’s debut shows her passion for portraiture and highlights social injustices.

”Autonomy Abduction” is a photograph taken by Amaia Nicole Crain in 2022 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Amaia Nicole Crain
A community member works with clay on a wheel in the ceramics studio at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

Homer’s art scene heads into fall

Homer Council on the Arts’ activities are bursting onto the scene for all to enjoy.

A community member works with clay on a wheel in the ceramics studio at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
The cast of the Kenai Performers’ “Little Shop of Horrors” rehearse at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna on Saturday, Feb. 15. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Chewing scenery

Blood-thirsty plant takes center stage in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’.

The cast of the Kenai Performers’ “Little Shop of Horrors” rehearse at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna on Saturday, Feb. 15. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cam Choy, associate professor of art at Kenai Peninsula College, works on a salmon sculpture in collaboration with the Kenai Watershed Forum during the Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Draft Soldotna plan brainstorms best way to bring more art to the city

Creation of a regional arts council, the incorporation of art projects into existing city grant programs and development of a way for the city to… Continue reading

Cam Choy, associate professor of art at Kenai Peninsula College, works on a salmon sculpture in collaboration with the Kenai Watershed Forum during the Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Juneau artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl poses with an Alaska Airlines 737-800 aircraft decorated with Worl’s latest work, Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). Alaska Airlines held a unveiling ceremony on Friday, May 12 to welcome the plane into service. (Courtesy Photo / Alaska Airlines)

Formline meets airline: Crystal Worl’s salmon-inspired design takes to the skies

Xáat Kwáani makes its inaugural flight.

Juneau artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl poses with an Alaska Airlines 737-800 aircraft decorated with Worl’s latest work, Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). Alaska Airlines held a unveiling ceremony on Friday, May 12 to welcome the plane into service. (Courtesy Photo / Alaska Airlines)
A new sign welcomes people to the City of Soldotna stands near the intersection of the Sterling Highway and Kenai River on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to use $20k grant for arts and culture master plan

The council last summer approved legislation supporting the creation of the master plan

A new sign welcomes people to the City of Soldotna stands near the intersection of the Sterling Highway and Kenai River on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
This image shows the cover of Juneau poet Emily Wall’s new book “Breaking Into Air.” The book details a wide array of different birth stories. (Courtesy Photo)

A book is born: Juneau author releases poetry book portraying the many faces of childbirth

It details “the incredible power of women, and their partners”

This image shows the cover of Juneau poet Emily Wall’s new book “Breaking Into Air.” The book details a wide array of different birth stories. (Courtesy Photo)
Courtesy Photo / Chris West Emily Anderson’s second album “Salt & Water” will be released on Friday. The second album from the L.A.-based singer-songwriter from Fairbanks deals with challenging emotions via some surprisingly sunny tunes.

Serenity and salinity: Emily Anderson’s ‘Salt & Water’ nearly ready to flow

It’s not a typical “grief album”

Courtesy Photo / Chris West Emily Anderson’s second album “Salt & Water” will be released on Friday. The second album from the L.A.-based singer-songwriter from Fairbanks deals with challenging emotions via some surprisingly sunny tunes.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Local Tlingit beader Jill Kaasteen Meserve is making waves as her work becomes more widely known, both in Juneau and the Lower 48.

Old styles in new ways: Beader talks art and octopus bags

She’s been selected for both a local collection and a major Indigenous art market

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Local Tlingit beader Jill Kaasteen Meserve is making waves as her work becomes more widely known, both in Juneau and the Lower 48.
Courtesy Photo / Annie Bartholomew This photo from the same series that gave “From the Land of Rusted Dreams” its cover image shows Erin Heist on stage in Juneau in December 2021. Heist’s debut album “From the Land of Rusted Dreams” is set to be released on April 8. The album is heavily shaped by connections Heist has made through the Alaska Folk Festival, which is held annually in Juneau.

Roots music: New album draws from memories and connections made in Southeast Alaska

Steel (pedal) yourself for new music.

Courtesy Photo / Annie Bartholomew This photo from the same series that gave “From the Land of Rusted Dreams” its cover image shows Erin Heist on stage in Juneau in December 2021. Heist’s debut album “From the Land of Rusted Dreams” is set to be released on April 8. The album is heavily shaped by connections Heist has made through the Alaska Folk Festival, which is held annually in Juneau.
The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was re-installed at its new home in the atrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Totem pole rededication ceremony emphasizes tradition, togetherness

“It represents history.”

The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was re-installed at its new home in the atrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Participants burn an example of a commercial garment that led to a now-settled intellectual property lawsuit in a ceremony commemorating the settlement with the fashion company on Friday.

Saga over garment design copyright infringement ends with ceremonial fire

The case was settled in March.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Participants burn an example of a commercial garment that led to a now-settled intellectual property lawsuit in a ceremony commemorating the settlement with the fashion company on Friday.
Local author Larry Johansen has written a book about the history of baseball in Alaska during the Gold Rush. The book, called "The Golden Days of Baseball, The Story of Baseball Played in Frontier Alaska and the Klondike” is the first about this previously unexplored topic. The book is available for purchase beginning May 5. (Courtesy image/Larry Johansen)

Baseball in the Land of the Midnight Sun

Alaska author shares untold story of frontier baseball in a new book

Local author Larry Johansen has written a book about the history of baseball in Alaska during the Gold Rush. The book, called "The Golden Days of Baseball, The Story of Baseball Played in Frontier Alaska and the Klondike” is the first about this previously unexplored topic. The book is available for purchase beginning May 5. (Courtesy image/Larry Johansen)
An art show featuring works by Indigenous artist Penni Anne Cross will take place at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center from April 17 to May 20, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Promotional image)

Kenai visitor center to showcase work by Indigenous artist

Local businessman Robert Favretto wanted to showcase Cross’ art after he recovered it from the late artist’s house last summer.

An art show featuring works by Indigenous artist Penni Anne Cross will take place at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center from April 17 to May 20, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Promotional image)
Samuel Anderson examines artwork up for bid while on shift at Veronica’s Cafe on April 7, 2021. The Kenai Fine Art Center and KDLL Public Radio are auctioning off local art through the month of April. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

KDLL, Fine Art Center team up for art auction

The pieces up for bid are on display at Veronica’s Cafe in Old Town Kenai.

Samuel Anderson examines artwork up for bid while on shift at Veronica’s Cafe on April 7, 2021. The Kenai Fine Art Center and KDLL Public Radio are auctioning off local art through the month of April. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The pageantry of western opera will join forces with the Tlingit culture’s rich history of storytelling, song and dance to create the world’s first Tlingit opera. The opera, which is currently untitled, will premiere at the Perseverance Theatre around 2025. (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage Institute)

First-ever first Tlingit opera will premiere locally

It is a collaboration between Perseverance Theatre and the Sealaska Heritage Institute.

The pageantry of western opera will join forces with the Tlingit culture’s rich history of storytelling, song and dance to create the world’s first Tlingit opera. The opera, which is currently untitled, will premiere at the Perseverance Theatre around 2025. (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File Paul Gardinier, an exhibit specialist, works to install a Nathan Jackson retrospective in the gallery at the Walter Soboleff Center on March 25, 2019.

Renowned Northwest Coast artist named USA Fellow

United States Artists awards $50,000 to the Ketchikan-based artist.

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File Paul Gardinier, an exhibit specialist, works to install a Nathan Jackson retrospective in the gallery at the Walter Soboleff Center on March 25, 2019.