First Friday flourishes in first Art Walk of spring

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces showcase artists’ work during the first Art Walk of Spring. Stroll the galleries, meet the artists and enjoy the variety of mediums on display.

Art Shop Gallery

202 W Pioneer Ave.

Byron Birdsall watercolors and acrylic/watercolors by Courtenay Birdsall Clifford

Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m.

Art Shop Gallery hosts an exhibit of newly acquired original watercolors by Byron Birdsall as well as new paintings by his daughter, Courtenay Birdsall Clifford, a blend of acrylic and watercolors. Birdsall was one of Alaska’s most renowned artists, an Anchorage resident from 1975 until his death in 2016. Birdsall traveled extensively around Alaska and the world to generate inspiration for his work. A self-taught artist who became a master of his preferred medium of watercolor, he was best known for the variety and drama of his landscapes and his unique ability to capture light. Moving easily between portraits and landscapes, watercolors and oils, he was prolific during his 50 years as a professional painter and his legacy lives on through his lifetime of work. Birdsall Clifford was born and raised in Anchorage and has played with various mediums and subject matter throughout the years. A Skagway resident since 2007, she and now works primarily in a blend of acrylic and watercolors, seeking to capture the lush textures and vivid colors of nature. An avid hiker, she finds inspiration in the Alaska landscape and its many inhabitants. Visit the gallery online at artshopgallery.com.

Bunnell Street Arts Center

106 W Bunnell Ave.

Fiber work by Diane Melms

Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m. Artist talk, 6 p.m.

Bunnell Street Arts Center presents “Thinking Outside the Block” with fiber artist Diane Melms. Honoring tradition and seeking innovation, Melms strives to push the quilt form into new territory. With a firm foundation in traditional textiles and an art and design background, she is inspired to use her technical skills and creative drive to invent new ways to express her ideas in cloth. In these ways, she has pushed myself to “think outside the block” with both concept and technique.” Working in her home studio in Anchorage, Melms is inspired by a love for fabric, color and pattern and her artwork embodies a passion for manipulating formal design elements to create engaging abstract compositions. Working from a palette of her own hand-dyed and commercial cotton fabrics, she uses an improvisational method of cutting, arranging and sewing fabric pieces together as she builds her compositions organically on the design wall. She finishes each piece by adding layers of batting and backing and dense patterns of topstitching. Visit the gallery online at bunnellarts.org.

Fireweed Gallery

475 E Pioneer Ave.

“Akurah Project” continues, an exhibit of mixed media work by Krista Etzwiler

No First Friday

Fireweed Gallery continues “Akurah Project,” an exhibit of mixed media work by Krista Etzwiler that opened in March. This month, Etzwiler adds three new styles of her ceramic forms on driftwood and reclaimed wood, with each piece able to be hung on the wall or placed on its base. Inspired by nature, Etzwiler uses organic hand-formed clay, driftwood, reclaimed wood and glass, along with a variety of color combinations, with the shapes and textures reflecting the colors and vibrant beauty of the outdoors. Akurah is a Hebrew word that means restoration of the whole self, including physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. With each clay piece, Etzwiler investigates how life experiences can shape and reshape our destination, both metaphorically and literally. Each piece is a story of exploration, emotion and discovery, conveying its own feelings and experiences to be interpreted by the individual. Visit the gallery online at fireweedgallery.com.

Grace Ridge Brewing

870 Smoky Bay Way

Paintings by Jennifer McCombs

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

Grace Ridge Brewing presents “Mountain Adventure Collection,” an exhibit of acrylic paintings by Jennifer McCombs. Inspired by nature, this collection of work is inspired by McCombs’ mountain travels and showcases Kachemak Bay, Denali and Susitna River, Turnagain Arm and Lost Lake. With a mission to help connect people with nature, she enjoys being outdoors, making art and sharing work that reflects nature and adventure. In addition to painting, she sketches, photographs and wood-burns to represent outdoor experiences and adventure through art. A Girdwood resident since 2007, she established her company, Active Mountain Design, in 2023 to share artwork with nature lovers and to contribute to the local community by donating to nonprofits that support an active and healthy community.

Homer Council on the Arts

355 W Pioneer Ave.

“Jubilee! Celebrating Youth in the Arts” youth art exhibit

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

“Jubilee! Celebrating Youth in the Arts” is an annual exhibit, featuring this year’s kindergarten to grade 12 student artwork from Homer-area youth. Featuring art in a variety of mediums, from drawings and paintings to cardboard sculptures and diorama, come celebrate youth in the arts. Visit HCOA online at homerart.org.

Pratt Museum

3779 Bartlett St.

“Light in Bloom” continues, an exhibit of oil paintings by Faith Revell

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

Pratt Museum & Park continues the exhibit “Light in Bloom,” oil paintings by Valdez artist Faith Revell that opened in March. Inspired by Alaska’s ever-changing light, and the remote community she calls home, Revell studies natural phenomena and human geography, observes and documents light changing and life unfolding and navigates an environment of extremes. Wind, weather and snow dominate her work as she paints movement and the play of elemental forces. Explore the ongoing exhibit and shares your experiences and reactions to the series using prompts based on visual thinking strategies. Revell’s work will be on display at the Museum through May 12. Visit the Museum online at prattmuseum.org.

Ptarmigan Arts

471 E Pioneer Ave.

Youth Art Pop-Up

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

Ptarmigan Arts hosts a weekend pop-up showcasing the work of children and grandchildren of current Ptarmigan Arts members. Ranging in age from 3 to 18, these youth showcase pottery, jewelry, paintings, tie-dye, woodworking and more. The show opens Friday, April 5 at 5 p.m. with a reception and all of the youth artists in attendance, and continues Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the gallery online at ptarmiganarts.com.

South Peninsula Hospital

4300 Bartlett St.

“A Human Tapestry” portraits by Gaye Wolfe and a selection of pieces from HCOA’s previous “Finding Home” exhibit

South Peninsula Hospital’s gallery, through Homer Council on the Arts, is host to “A Human Tapestry: Portraits by Gaye Wolfe” (1945-2012), portraits of Homer residents by Gaye Wolfe from HCOA’s permanent collection that were her personal interpretation and homage to Homer artists. Also on display is a small selection of work from HCOA’s “Finding Home” community exhibit that opened earlier this year. Find the exhibits on display in the upper level of the hospital, accessed through the main entrance located next to Emergency.

The Dean Gallery

40374 Waterman Rd.

New Metal Art by Jeff Dean

Open 5-7 p.m. on First Friday

The Dean Gallery is family-owned and features contemporary art by M’fanwy, Ranja, and Jeff Dean. Visitors will find wood and metal wall art, bronze sculptures, intricately carved wood panels and specialty prints on wood, metal, and paper. There is also a variety of other art and gifts, including greeting cards and stickers. The gallery’s circular construction and reclaimed redwood timber frame displays provides a taste of what can be experienced during the summer Dean Family Farm and Art Studio tours. This month, the gallery showcases a 7’ tall variation of “Lower Kuskokwim”, a heat-colored steel engraving custom piece by Jeff, inspired by the Lower Kuskokwim Delta. Also on display are carved wood panels by M’fanwy Dean, bronze work by Jeff and Ranja, as well as prints from Ranja’s graphite drawings. Visit them online at deangallery.com.

“The Conversation,” an oil on canvas by Valdez artist Faith Revell, is on display at the Pratt Museum. Photo provided by the Pratt Museum

“Denali Summer Sunset 2” by Jennifer McCombs is on display in her solo exhibit at Grace Ridge Brewing through April. Photo provided by Grae Ridge Brewing

“Cut Paper Painting” by Zada Lockwood is on display in Homer Council on the Arts’ Jubilee Youth Exhibit through April. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

“Groov’in (Ron Senungetuk)” by Gaye Wolf is on display at South Peninsula Hospital. Photo provided by South Peninsula Hospital

“Low Tide Impressions,” mixed media work by Krista Etzwiler, is on display in her ongoing exhibit titled “Akurah Project” on display at Fireweed Gallery through April. Photo provided by Fireweed Gallery