Since 1975, Homer Council on the Arts has been offering performances, exhibits and arts education for community members of all ages and abilities. Serving the community by creating space and opportunities for people and innovative ideas, here are HCOA-hosted events and activities to look forward to in the new year.

Community call for art

“Women in Science” — Join HCOA in uplifting and highlighting the countless contributions women have made in all fields of scientific study. Homer Council on the Arts and Pier One Theatre, with help from the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are partnering for a February gallery exhibit. Open to all mediums and all ages, artists are invited to reflect and create artwork based on the prompt, “Women in Science.” Whether it’s the historical impacts of women in science, modern advancements or innovative research of women or by women, artists are asked to consider what the phrase means to them.

Open to each artist’s interpretation, a few concepts worth considering may include:

Who is a historically significant women in science you admire?

What are your dreams and hope for the future of women in science?

How has research by women improved your life?

Who is a woman in science who has impacted you?

If you are a woman or girl, how do you explore science in your own life?

Why is it important for there to be women in science?

Artists may submit up to six artworks each, with at least one piece for sale. There are no size or weight restrictions; however, artists should contact HCOA in advance if their work exceeds 48 inches by 48 inches or is over 75 pounds. This show is produced in partnership with Pier One Theatre; sales will be split 60% to the artist, 20% to Pier One and 20% to HCOA. All artworks must be turned in to the HCOA by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1. Complete the online submission form at hoemerart.org.

2025 Jubilee! Call for Art and Performance — Every year, HCOA coordinates the Jubilee! Art exhibit and youth performance to highlight and encourage Homer’s talented youth.

The Jubilee Youth Performing Arts Show — This year’s Jubilee performance will take place Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at the Mariner Theatre. Proceeds support the Ron Senungetuk Youth Fine Arts Scholarship Fund for young artists. Audition applications are due Wednesday, Feb. 2 by 5 p.m. in person at HCOA, 355 W. Pioneer Avenue or by email, hcoa@homerart.org.

The Jubilee Youth Gallery Exhibit — In April, the HCOA gallery will showcase Pre-K to Grade 12 student artwork from Homer-area youth. This colorful and dynamic exhibit features a variety of mediums, including 2D work, ceramics, music and more. Submissions will be accepted Monday, March 3 through Saturday, March 22 with the exhibit opening April 4.

Gallery exhibits

“This is Home” is an exhibit of photographs by Mercedes Santana showcasing Alaska landscape images taken during the past several years and using a drone of DSLR camera. On display Jan. 6 through March 4 in the South Peninsula Hospital Gallery.

Classes

Landscapes: A Chinese Brush Painting workshop with Sharlene Cline — Participants will use traditional techniques of brush loading, color mixing and careful brush strokes to create landscapes. All skill levels are welcome, and all materials will be provided. Friday, Jan. 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $50 for HCOA members and $60 general.

Tole Painting with Michael Reeves — Traditionally the folk art of decorative painting on tin and wooden utensils, objects and furniture, participants will learn how to create traditional brush strokes and patterns in this style. All materials provided. Open to ages 14 and up. Friday, Jan. 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: is $50 for HCOA members and $60 general.

Eggshell Mosaics with Cindy Nelson — Participants will create mosaics using eggshells in a modified version of the Japanese traditional technique of “Rankaku,” a technique in which tiny pieces of quail eggshell are glued to an object in a mosaic pattern. All material will be provided. Open to ages 14 and up. Saturday, Jan. 25, 3-7 p.m. Cost is $50 for HCOA members and $60 general.

Ceramics classes

Kindergarten to Grade 2 Ceramics — In this 10-session course over six weeks, students will explore making functional and decorative ceramics using coil, pinch and slab hand building methods, will learn about the stages that clay goes through, from wet to leather-hard to bone-dry and about the hand-tools used for trimming, shaping and creating texture on pots. After pieces are bisque fired, students will have a variety of food-safe glazes to decorate their creations. Class fee includes clay, glaze, tools and all firings. Scholarships are available. Session dates are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. on Jan. 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 and Feb. 4, 6, 18 and 20, with a celebration at 6 p.m. on March 5. No classes on Feb. 11 or 13. Cost is $120 for HCOA members and $135 general.

Grades 3-6 Ceramics — In this 10-session course over six weeks, students will explore making functional and decorative ceramics using coil, pinch, and slab hand-building methods, and be introduced wheel throwing. They’ll learn about the stages that clay goes through, from wet to leather-hard to bone-dry and about the hand-tools used for trimming, shaping and creating texture on pots. After pieces are bisque fired, students will have a variety of food safe glazes to decorate their creations. Class fee includes clay, glaze, tools and all firings. Scholarships are available. Session dates are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 and Feb. 4, 6, 18 and 20, with a celebration at 6 p.m. on March 5. No classes on Feb. 11 and 13. Cost is $180 for HCOA members and $195 youth.

Intermediate Wheel Throwing Ceramics for Grade 7 to Adult — This six-session class over seven weeks will provide hands-on instruction covering the basics and, for those who are ready, the next level of pottery wheel throwing skills. Students will refine their skills of centering as well as can combine forms to make taller and more complex vessels such as lidded vessels, altered forms or teapots. Session dates are on Thursdays, Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6 and 20, with a celebration at 6 p.m. on March 5. No class Feb. 13. Cost is $210 for HCOA members, $220 general and $160 for youth grades 7-12.

Advanced Wheel Throwing Ceramics for Grades 7 to Adult — This six-session class over seven weeks will help student’s increase their ceramics knowledge and proficiency. Participants will work on skills to make larger vessels, pull taller pieces, make and design lids, and create staking and composite forms. Session dates are Mondays, 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Feb. 3 and 17, with a celebration at 6 p.m. on March 5. No class on Feb. 10. Cost is $210 for HCOA members, $220 general and $200 for youth grades 7-12.

Ceramics Open Studio — A nine-session class over six weeks, this open studio is for participants with prior ceramics experience who want to explore the material through independent study. All open studio participants must have proven basic understanding of the ceramics process and agree to abide by all studio rules. Participants must receive approval before enrolling in open studio and youth in grades 9 and up must also provide a letter of recommendation from a previous ceramics instructor to receive approval. There are only eight throwing wheels are available. With a maximum of 10 participants, there is no wheel reservation, and all participants are expected to alternate off wheels to share access for all. Session dates are Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 18, 22, 25, 29 and Feb. 1, 5, 8, 19 and 22, with a celebration at 6 p.m. on March 5. No classes on Feb. 12 or 15. Cost is $145 for HCOA members, $155 general and $130 for youth grades 9-12.

Music performances

HCOA will host the Irish Trio, featuring Jannell Canderday, John Walsh and Pat Broaders, for the fourth year in a row. These musicians will showcase their Irish and Celtic sounds at Alice’s Champagne Palace on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 for HCOA members, $25 general and $10 for youth.

Blades of Brass features Emily Theim and Frances Jurek on trumpet, Emily Lamb on French Horn, Mary Simondsen on trombone and Eric Simondsen on tuba. This new ensemble is based on the Kenai Peninsula and formed by a group of musicians who play together in the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra. Their performance will be held on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Homer. Cost is $25 for HCOA members, $30 general and $10 for youth.

Unit Souzou is an artistic voice of sound shaped and inspired by form and movement, the essence being an expressive blend of taiko and Japanese folk dance. In addition to creating groundbreaking professional theatrical works, Unit Souzou is committed to share taiko through community performances and collaborations, public classes for adults and youth, and school-based education programs. Their Homer performance will be held on Wednesday, March 26 at 7 p.m. at the Mariner Theatre. Cost is $30 for HCOA members, $35 general and $15 for youth.

A performer, arranger and composer, Sean Dagher is recognized for his recordings in Assassin’s Creed video games. While playing a variety of instruments, he sings music from various folk and classical music traditions, including Celtic, Baroque, Medieval, Arabic, French-Canadian and Maritime Shanties. His Homer performance will be held on April 15 at 7 p.m. in the Mariner Theatre. Cost is $25 for HCOA members, $30 general and $10 for youth.

Community jam sessions

Community Jam Sessions take place year-round and are free and open to all instruments and abilities. Community members are invited to bring their instrument and music. Sessions will explore a range of genres based on attendees’ interest. Light refreshments available. Join on Thursdays from 6:30-9 p.m.

For more information or to register for any classes, workshops, events and activities and apply for scholarships, visit homerart.org, email hcoa@homerart.org, call 907-235-4288, or stop by in person at 355 W. Pioneer Avenue during open hours, Monday to Saturday, 1-5 p.m. HCOA will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1.

“Dancing Crane” is an eggshell mosaic by artist Cindy Nelson, who will teach a mosaic workshop on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

A new year of ceramics classes for all ages and abilities kicks off in January 2025 at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

Hosted by Homer Council on the Arts, the Irish Trio will perform at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre on Jan. 28, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

Community jam sessions will continue on Thursday evenings in the new year at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts