2024’s 1st First Friday

While a few of Homer’s galleries and public art spaces take a break from exhibiting for the month of January, others kick off the New Year with work by local artists and special exhibits showcasing work by community members responding to calls for art. Enjoy the first First Friday of 2024, stroll the art walk, meet the artists and enjoy the variety of media on display.

Art Shop Gallery

202 W. Pioneer Ave.

No exhibit, Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday

Art Shop Gallery takes a break from hosting special exhibits for the month of January. Stop by during their regular hours, Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and browse the large selection of Alaskan artwork and floral bouquets or shop online at artshopgallery.com.

Bunnell Street Arts Center

106 W. Bunnell Ave.

Closed for January

Bunnell Street Arts Center will be closed for the month of January as they prepare for the coming months of exhibits, artists in residence and art in schools programs. View the 2024 calendar of events and exhibits at bunnellarts.org.

Fireweed Gallery

475 E. Pioneer Ave.

Closed for January

Fireweed Gallery will be closed for winter break beginning Jan. 1 through Feb. 9. Shop online at fireweedgallery.com.

Grace Ridge Brewing

870 Smoky Bay Way

“Observations of A Mind Bathed in Color,” acrylic paintings by Jenna Gerrety

First Friday Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m.

Grace Ridge Brewing presents Jenna Gerrety, a local artist who graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, moved back to Homer in 2019 and currently works at Homer Council on the Arts.

Gerrety enjoys being a part of Homer’s art community, taking classes and learning new skills while expressing her creativity in acrylic paints. Her medium of choice for their versatility and quick drying time, acrylics enable her to render her subjects quickly and in bold vibrant colors.

Fascinated by the big skies and sweeping landscapes of the Kenai Peninsula, Gerrety’s appreciation for the processes of nature, decomposition and connective structures impacts her subjects and style and she often plays with the contrast between natural and artificial in her work. Seeing art as a catalyst for conversation and inspiration, Gerrety hopes her creativity encourages others to look more closely at their surroundings and discover the hidden whimsy in their day-to-day lives.

“Observations of A Mind Bathed in Color” is a series of acrylic landscape paintings intending to communicate the artist’s impressions of her surroundings.

Homer Council on the Arts

355 W. Pioneer Ave.

No exhibit

Homer Council on the Arts takes a break from exhibiting in January and will return in February with the opening of “Finding Home,” a collaboration between HCOA and Friends of the Homer Library showcasing work by community members of all ages and art abilities responding to the theme. Submissions for this exhibit are being accepted through Jan. 20. More information and the submission form are available at homerart.org, where HCOA’s lineup of events and activities in the coming months can be viewed.

Pratt Museum

3779 Bartlett St.

“Our Stories, Our Place,” a showcase of community artwork

First Friday Opening Reception, 4-6 p.m.

The Pratt Museum celebrates the kickoff of their participatory exhibit, “Our Stories, Our Place,” where community members share visual and written stories relating to the museum and/or life in and around Kachemak Bay. The call for art continues through January, with a second opening in February showcasing all work submitted. For more information or to sign up to participate in “Our Stories, Our Place,” visit prattmuseum.org.

Ptarmigan Arts

471 E. Pioneer Ave.

No exhibit, Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Sunday

Ptarmigan Arts prepares to celebrate their 40-year Anniversary in 2024. Stop by and visit them during their open hours, Monday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit them online at ptarmiganarts.com, where you can shop, apply to join the artist co-op, apply to exhibit on weekends throughout the year and apply for the 2024 Visual Arts scholarship.

South Peninsula Hospital

4300 Bartlett St.

“Fruits of Our Labor,” photographs by Susan Johnson and “We Are All Connected,” quilts by Kachemak Bay Quilters

South Peninsula Hospital’s gallery area is host to “Fruits of Our Labor,” photographs by Homer’s Susan Johnson, shot during the summers of 2021 and 2022, featuring the bounty of her and her partner’s numerous gardens and the ensuing harvest. Passionate about photography and gardening, Johnson’s exhibit is intended to compel the viewer to pause and consider the many nuances of a harvest.

Also on display is “We Are All Connected,” a series of quilts by quilters Francie Roberts, Jane Regan, Nan Thompson, Pat Sims, Ruby Nofziger and Sara Reinert. Developed by quilters during the pandemic when connecting with others was very challenging, a ribbon of hand-dyed fuchsia connects nine unique quilt panels, with the quilts themed around the idea of identifying, accepting and appreciating human differences, while recognizing our connectedness.

Donated to the hospital by the quilters, they are located on the lower level of the hospital, near the Rehab/Long Term Care entrance, accessible via the lower level entrances.

The Dean Gallery

40374 Waterman Road

New Metal Art by Jeff Dean

First Friday Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m.

The Dean Gallery extends their exhibit of metal wall art by Jeff Dean, including 15 new heat-colored steel engravings that range from geometric abstracts to images inspired by braided rivers and celestial themes. In addition to the metal art, also on display are carved wood panels by M’fanwy Dean, bronze work by Jeff and Ranja Dean, prints from Ranja’s graphite drawings and several large metal wall pieces. Visit them online at jeffreyhdean.com.

A painting by Homer youth artist Freya Bartlett is on display at the Pratt Museum’s exhibit, “Our Stories, Our Place.” Photo provided by the Pratt Museum

“Cumulus,” an acrylic painting by Jenna Gerrety is on display in her solo exhibit at Grace Ridge Brewing through January. Photo provided by Jenna Gerrety