Arts

The cover of Madeline A. Hawthorne’s “A Christmas Parade,” published by Olympia Publishing.

‘A Christmas Parade’ is local author’s first book

Just in time for Christmas, a new Homer writer and artist has published her first book. Bumblebee Books, an imprint of Olympia Publishers, London, United… Continue reading

The cover of Madeline A. Hawthorne’s “A Christmas Parade,” published by Olympia Publishing.
The film “Finding Balance” directed by Santino “Tino” Martirano will be featured in the upcoming Backcountry Film Festival hosted by Tsalteshi Trails Association at the organization’s annual meeting on Saturday. (Courtesy of David Julian and the Winter Wildlands Alliance)

Tsalteshi to feature films from Backcountry Film Festival at meeting

The films range from extreme sports to outdoor winter hobbies, while also promoting sustainable recreation.

The film “Finding Balance” directed by Santino “Tino” Martirano will be featured in the upcoming Backcountry Film Festival hosted by Tsalteshi Trails Association at the organization’s annual meeting on Saturday. (Courtesy of David Julian and the Winter Wildlands Alliance)
Homer writer Richard Chiappone. (Photo by Joshua Veldstra)

‘Hunger of Crows’ perfect for winter reading

Chiappone’s first novel is set in Homer, Anchor Point.

Homer writer Richard Chiappone. (Photo by Joshua Veldstra)
Forever Dance students practice for the “Forever Christmas” annual holiday variety show at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Remembering that we’re all in this together’

Forever Dance celebrates the holiday spirit with Christmas showcase.

Forever Dance students practice for the “Forever Christmas” annual holiday variety show at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Shelli and Mike Gordon pose in October 2011 at their Halibut Cove, Alaska, home in an Alaska Gothic version of Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” painting. (Photo courtesy of Mike Gordon)

‘Dagnabit’ features tales of ’80s wild Alaska

Gordon’s second book also tells of Ruben Gaines, creator of Chilkoot Charlie.

Shelli and Mike Gordon pose in October 2011 at their Halibut Cove, Alaska, home in an Alaska Gothic version of Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” painting. (Photo courtesy of Mike Gordon)
Dianne Spence-Chorman’s “Fig Study” is one of the works showing in the Homer Council on the Arts “Fun wtih 5x7” show through Dec. 22, 2021, at the gallery in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Fun with 5×7’ offers affordable art

HCOA annual art show presents art in a variety of media, all in 5x7 format.

Dianne Spence-Chorman’s “Fig Study” is one of the works showing in the Homer Council on the Arts “Fun wtih 5x7” show through Dec. 22, 2021, at the gallery in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tomorrow’ starts today

Soldotna High School returns to stage with production of musical “Annie”

The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Finishing touches

High schoolers fill last-minute spot in art center’s mural project.

Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The cover of Tom Kizzia’s book, “Cold Mountain Path,” published by Porphyry Press in October 2021. (Photo provided)

‘Cold Mountain Path’ explores ghost town history of McCarthy

Kizzia’s book looks at McCarthy history from 1938 to the town’s revival as a tourist destination.

The cover of Tom Kizzia’s book, “Cold Mountain Path,” published by Porphyry Press in October 2021. (Photo provided)
Melinda Hershberger works on her installation for the Kenai Art Center’s collaborative mural project on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Wall-to-wall creativity

Artists collaborate on a single mural at the Kenai Art Center this month.

Melinda Hershberger works on her installation for the Kenai Art Center’s collaborative mural project on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Carly Garay’s “Earth” is one of the works in her “The Art of Ancestor Veneration,” on display through Oct. 30, 2021, at the Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Garay lifts the veil between living and dead with “Art of Ancestor Veneration”

HCOA show invites people to submit own images of ancestors at central altar.

Carly Garay’s “Earth” is one of the works in her “The Art of Ancestor Veneration,” on display through Oct. 30, 2021, at the Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Amber Kraxberger-Linson, a member of Trout Unlimited and streamwatch coordinator for the Chugach National Forest, works in the field in this undated photo. Kraxberger-Linson will be discussing at the Saturday, Oct. 23 International Fly Fishing Film Festival the organization’s educational programming for next summer. (Photo provided by Trout Unlimited)

Out on the water — and on the screen

Trout Unlimited to host fly fishing film festival Saturday.

Amber Kraxberger-Linson, a member of Trout Unlimited and streamwatch coordinator for the Chugach National Forest, works in the field in this undated photo. Kraxberger-Linson will be discussing at the Saturday, Oct. 23 International Fly Fishing Film Festival the organization’s educational programming for next summer. (Photo provided by Trout Unlimited)
James Varsos, also known as “Hobo Jim,” poses for a photo during the August, 2016, Funny River Festival in Funny River, Alaska, in August 2016. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Hobo Jim, beloved Alaska balladeer, dies after battle with cancer

Just over two weeks ago Varsos went public with his terminal cancer diagnosis.

James Varsos, also known as “Hobo Jim,” poses for a photo during the August, 2016, Funny River Festival in Funny River, Alaska, in August 2016. (Peninsula Clarion file)
The Cosmic Hamlet Entertainment film crew prepares for a new scene to roll on the set of “Bolt from the Blue” at the Kilcher Homestead on Sept. 28. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

‘Bolt from the Blue’ film features Homer

“The Office” star Kate Flannery cast in feature film produced in Homer.

The Cosmic Hamlet Entertainment film crew prepares for a new scene to roll on the set of “Bolt from the Blue” at the Kilcher Homestead on Sept. 28. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A wood-carved whale hangs in the Nikiski Senior Center on Sept. 23, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Nikiski Senior Center)

Whale of a job

Nikiski Senior Center gets addition to dining room.

A wood-carved whale hangs in the Nikiski Senior Center on Sept. 23, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Nikiski Senior Center)
Sheryl Maree Reily speaks last Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, about the Homer Drawdown Peatland exhibit showing at the Pratt Museum & Park in Homer, Alaska. Reily was a Bunnell Street Arts Center Artist in Residence who did an installation and video for the exhbit. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Peatlands exhibit at Pratt merges art and conservation

The exhibit caps a yearslong effort to identify a locally sustainable way to reduce or capture carbon emissions

Sheryl Maree Reily speaks last Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, about the Homer Drawdown Peatland exhibit showing at the Pratt Museum & Park in Homer, Alaska. Reily was a Bunnell Street Arts Center Artist in Residence who did an installation and video for the exhbit. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A still from "Fantastic Fungi," showing at the 17th annual Homer Documentary Film Festival. (Photo provided)

Roll ‘em: DocFest returns for 17th year

Homer Documentary Film Festival returns with COVID-19 precautions and a solid line up of films.

A still from "Fantastic Fungi," showing at the 17th annual Homer Documentary Film Festival. (Photo provided)
Members of the cast of Kenai Perfomers’ “The Beverly Hillbillies, the Musical” pose in September 2021. (Photo courtesy Terri Burdick)

Performers bring Clampetts to Kenai

“Beveral Hillbillies, the Musical” will premiere this weekend.

Members of the cast of Kenai Perfomers’ “The Beverly Hillbillies, the Musical” pose in September 2021. (Photo courtesy Terri Burdick)
“Reimagine,” the 17th annual Burning Basket, catches fire in a field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, near Homer. Artist Mavis Muller intended to broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube the burning of the basket, but because of technical difficulties that didn’t happen. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Recover’ brings Burning Basket back to Spit

Basket in a time of pandemic will seek to rebuild community, organizer says.

“Reimagine,” the 17th annual Burning Basket, catches fire in a field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, near Homer. Artist Mavis Muller intended to broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube the burning of the basket, but because of technical difficulties that didn’t happen. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The “Reindeer Man” exhibit featuring work by Kenai Art Center Executive Director Alex Rydlinski can be seen on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alex Rydlinski)

From birth to slaughter

Kenai Art Center exhibit chronicles a reindeer’s life

The “Reindeer Man” exhibit featuring work by Kenai Art Center Executive Director Alex Rydlinski can be seen on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alex Rydlinski)