Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate the seasonal transitions. Stroll the galleries, meet the artists and enjoy the variety of mediums on display in these new and ongoing exhibits of work by local and statewide artists.
Art Shop Gallery
202 W. Pioneer Ave.
“Stormy Seas and Safe Harbors,” paintings and earrings by The Early Girls
Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m.
Art Shop Gallery hosts “Stormy Seas and Safe Harbors” with The Early Girls, Tracy Early and her daughter Emma. Tracy debuts new acrylic original paintings and both artists showcase new polymer and resin earrings. A longtime Alaskan, Tracy has a love for the ocean and the natural beauty that surrounds Homer. With a passion for expressing this love in her artwork, a mix of abstract techniques and realism using acrylic paints, this current body of work focuses on the power and beauty of the ocean. Together, the mother and daughter duo create polymer clay earrings and an enjoyment for the arts. Visit the gallery online at artshopgallery.com.
Bunnell Street Arts Center
106 W. Bunnell Ave.
“Remember the Sun,” paintings by Asia Freeman and photography by Michael Walsh
Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m. Artist talks, 6 p.m.
Bunnell Street Arts Center presents “Remember the Sun,” paintings by Asia Freeman and photography by multidisciplinary artist Michael Walsh. This display focuses on clouds and the Homer couple explore how clouds are often in our way as we move through our inner and outer landscapes. Their artist statement shares, “Clouds mediate between earth and atmosphere, imagination and make-believe. We study clouds to gauge the amount and distribution of moisture, the atmospheric stability present at a given place and time, the type of convection that is occurring or what changes in the weather are coming. While the planet heats up and clouds of moisture diminish, remote storage centers of data are invisible and ever-growing colonies, for bad and for good — the digital Cloud holds our precious memories. Clouds can be protective shields, toxic emissions, healing vapors, dark globs of depression, and rose-tinted dreams. Making art is a strategy to maneuver through the condensation of our questions, hopes and struggles, to explore the darkness and cherish the light.”
Freeman and Walsh have exhibited together around Alaska, California, New York, Germany and Korea. Raised in Homer, Freeman received a BA in Art at Yale and an MFA in Contemporary Visual Culture at Vermont School of Fine Arts. Walsh was raised in Michigan, moved to Alaska in 2003 and, after earning a BA in Film at Peck School of the Arts, returned to Peck for a graduate degree in film, video and performance art. They have produced four duo exhibitions since 2008. Visit the gallery at bunnellarts.org.
Fireweed Gallery
475 E. Pioneer Ave.
Metal sculptures by Don Henry and photography and paintings by Lorna Branzuela
Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m.
Fireweed Gallery presents “Alien Beach,” Don Henry’s ongoing exhibit of found art sculptures and “Qualities of Light,” landscape paintings and photography by Lorna Branzuela. Visit the gallery online at fireweedgallery.com.
Grace Ridge Brewing
870 Smoky Bay Way
Mixed media paintings by Aadya Gray
Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m.
Grace Ridge Brewing presents mixed media paintings by Aadya Gray. In this series, Gray showcases colorful and textured paintings that portray her interpretations of nature and marine life, inspired by 35 years of summers spent exploring Homer. Showcasing whales, bears, eagles and salmon, these paintings appear to protrude from the canvas, a relief effect the result of a technique she created through the years, a combination of poured epoxy, clay and acrylic paint. Born and raised in Washington state and spending her summers in Homer, Gray has long been inspired by the natural world of landscapes and wildlife, especially marine mammals. She strives to include in her work small details, like fish scales, eagle feathers, octopus tentacles and folds of skin near a whale’s eye. Visit the brewery online at graceridgebrewing.com.
Homer Council on the Arts
355 W. Pioneer Ave.
“The Death of Retail,” mixed media artwork by Sami Ali
Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m.
Homer Council on the Arts presents “The Death of Retail,” mixed media artwork by Sami Ali. A physician and artist who has a passion for creativity, the love of a challenge and a whimsical nature, Ali’s use of texture and bold color contributes to her modern style, in her classic palette knife oil paintings, her impasto portraits and mixed media art. An accomplished self taught painter, she has won numerous awards and competed in several national plein air competitions. Ali lives in Anchorage, where she is inspired by the ocean and the unique personalities of Alaskans and divides her time between her work as an emergency medicine physician and pursuing her creativity. In this exhibit, Ali explores the idea behind stores that may have once been frequented and then sit empty or for lease. “One by one, even large department stores have shuttered their doors. Who’s responsible? What’s left to do in this world? For a self-confessed shopaholic like me I need these questions answered.” Visit HCOA online at homerart.org.
Kindred Spirits Weaving Studio
Wildberry Homestead Cabin, Pioneer Ave. between Cosmic Thai and AC/DC
“Electric Weavings” by Lisa Talbott and Bonita Banks
Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m. Artist talk on Dorset button history and making, 5:30 p.m.
Kindred Spirits Weaving Studio is a working weaving studio for local weavers Lisa Talbott of Raven Fed Designs and Bonita Banks of sit.breathe.weave. Inside their studio are works-in-progress on multiple looms alongside completed luxury handwoven products. During this month’s opening, the weavers will host a discussion and demonstration of Dorset buttons — the history and making of thread wrapped buttons that was developed in the early 1600s. Supplies will be available for those who want to try their hand to make their own. A community weaving project is also in process, and everyone is welcome to learn to weave and add their intentions to it. Visit the weavers online at ravenfeddesigns.company.site and sbwhandwovens.com
Pratt Museum
3779 Bartlett St.
“Inner Stellar,” Paintings by Marjorie Scholl
Gallery Reception, 4-6 p.m. Artist talk, 5 p.m.
In the Main Gallery, the Pratt Museum continues to host “Inner Stellar,” paintings by Marjorie Scholl. A series of painted portraits of community members that are set in a forest of birch trees, each subject actively participated in the creation of their portrait, including sharing related personal anecdotes. As part of the series, Scholl includes a self-portrait to share her own journey. A Homer painter interested in depicting human relationships to our changing Earth, she examines complex social issues and shifting landscapes to challenge systemic inequalities and explore experiences of belonging. Scholl’s work has been exhibited throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and she has created murals in public and private settings. The exhibit remains on display through Sept. 20. Visit the Museum online at prattmuseum.org.
Ptarmigan Arts
471 E. Pioneer Ave.
New works by current members
Open 5-7 p.m. First Friday
Ptarmigan Arts has been rearranging and updating up their space and invite community members to see new works by current members. Visit the gallery online at ptarmiganarts.com.
The Dean Gallery
40374 Waterman Road
40+ Years of Jeff Dean’s sculpture and wall art
Open 5-7 p.m. First Friday
The Dean Gallery is family-owned and features contemporary art by M’fanwy, Ranja, and Jeff Dean. This month, the gallery showcases 40-plus years of sculptures and wall art by Jeff that he has gifted to his parents through the years. In the gallery are also intricately carved wood panels, bronze sculptures, metal and wood wall art, seed bead jewelry and specialty prints on metal, wood and paper. Visit them online at deangallery.com.
Hand-dyed yarn by Jules Joy is available as new work by the artist at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
A carved spruce burl relief by Jeff Dean is on display at The Dean Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by The Dean Gallery
“Rocky Landing” is a mixed media work by Don Henry, on display through September at Fireweed Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Fireweed Gallery
“Remember the Sun” is a photograph by Michael Walsh on display through September at Bunnell Street Arts Center. Photo provided by Bunnell Street Arts Center
“Hole in Clouds” is an oil-on-panel painting by Asia Freeman on display through September at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Bunnell Street Arts Center
“Pushki Sunset” by Lorna Branzuela is on display through September at Fireweed Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Fireweed Gallery
“Arctic Flyer” is a work by Aadya Gray in clay, acrylic and epoxy on plexiglass on display through September at Grace Ridge Brewing in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Grace Ridge Brewing
“Browsing” is a mixed media artwork by Sami Ali on display through September at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
“Lighthouse” is an acrylic painting by Tracy Early on display at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by the Art Shop Gallery
The history and making of Dorset buttons, or thread-wrapped buttons, will be discussed during First Friday, Sept. 6, at Kindred Spirits Weaving Studio in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Kindred Spirits Weaving Studio
