Since 1975, Homer Council on the Arts has been offering performances, exhibitions 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 through January. All take place at the HCOA Gallery unless otherwise indicated.

Ceramics classes

HCOA’s ceramics classes are supported by several private donors of equipment, a grant from The Homer Foundation, local ceramics artists who have volunteered time and knowledge and their members and financial donors.

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, 3:15-4:15 p.m. on Jan. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 and Feb. 1. No classes on Feb. 6, 8, 13 and 15. Cost: $135 youth, $120 HCOA member.

Grades 3 to 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 given an introduction to 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, 4:30-6 p.m. on Jan. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 and Feb. 1, 13, & 15. No classes on Feb. 6, 8, 13 and 15. Cost: $195 Youth, $120 HCOA Member.

Beginning Hand Building Ceramics for Grade 7 to Adult — This five-session class over six weeks will provide hands-on instruction covering the fundamentals of the three hand-building techniques: pinch pots, coil building and slab building. Students will learn about the stages of clay as well as decorating techniques as they create both functional and decorative objects.

Session dates are Mondays, 6:30-9 p.m. on Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 and Feb. 12. No classes on Feb. 5. Cost: $185 adult, $175 HCOA member, $160 youth grade 7-12

Beginning Wheel Throwing Ceramics for Grades 7 to Adult — This five-session class over six weeks will provide hands-on instruction covering the fundamentals of wedging clay, centering, opening, pulling up and shaping pots. Students 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 and creating texture on pots.

Session dates are Tuesdays, 6:30-9 p.m. on Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 13. No class on Feb. 6. Cost: $185 Adult, $175 HCOA member, $160 Youth Grade 7-12

Intermediate Wheel Throwing Ceramics — This five-session class over six 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 have the opportunity to combine forms to make taller and more complex vessels such as lidded vessels, altered forms or teapots.

Session dates are Jan. 11, 18, 25 and Feb. 1 and 15. No class on Feb. 8. Cost: $185 adult, $175 HCOA member, $160 youth grade 7-12

Ceramics Open Studio — A nine-session class over six weeks. This class 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 grade 9+ 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 of wheels to share access for all.

Session dates are Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Jan. 13-Feb. 17. Studio closed Feb. 7 and 10. Cost: $155 adult, $145 HCOA member, $130 youth grade 9 to 12

Music performance and workshops

The Irish Trio returns with performers John Walsh, Pat Broaders and a new fiddler, Andrew O’Brien, offering workshops and a live performance.

Making a Song Your Own: Vocals Workshop with Pat Broaders — Participants will learn how to put themselves into a song. From changing lyrics to adjusting melody and pitch to sit more comfortably with your range and singing style, Broaders will sing them through how to make modifications without losing the spirit or emotion of the narrative. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 5:30-7 p.m. $22 adult/youth, $20 HCOA member

How to Play Any Tune on the Fiddle with Andrew O’Brian — In this fiddle intensive, students will learn the basic skills for playing traditional/folk music and how to utilize the basic approach to help guide through any tune they are learning to play. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 7:30-9 p.m. $22 adult/youth, $20 HCOA member

The Irish Trio perform at the Homer Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m, with concessions and beer and wine for sale. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or spouse 21+. $25 general, $10 youth, 20 HCOA member.

Chinese brush painting

Orchids — A Chinese brush painting workshop with Sharlene Cline — Participants will use traditional techniques of brush loading, color mixing and careful brush strokes to create orchids. All skill levels are welcome and all materials will be provided. Friday, Jan. 19 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. $60 adult/youth, $50 HCOA member. Limited seating.

Amaryllis — A Chinese brush painting workshop with Sharlene Cline — Participants will use traditional techniques of brush loading, color mixing, and careful brush strokes to create amaryllis flowers. All skill levels are welcome and all materials will be provided. Friday, Feb. 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $60 adult/youth, $50 HCOA member. Limited seating.

Wine-tasting fundraiser

Malbec Wine Tasting Fundraiser with Sharlene Cline and Marilyn Parrett — Wine tasting includes a flight of three Malbec Reds, appetizers, dessert silent auction. $40 per person. Limited seating. Must be 21 years or older to attend. Please bring picture ID to the event. Wines donated by The Grog Shop. Funds support HCOA programs. Saturday, Jan. 20, 6-8 p.m.

Community call for art

“Finding Home” — A collaboration with Friends of the Homer Library, HCOA invites community members of all ages and art abilities to participate in their open call for art, “Finding Home,” inspired by the novel, “The Cold Millions,” and based on the theme of the 2022-2023 NEA Big Read, “Where we live.” This exhibitions asks, “What does home mean to you?” and more specifically, “How do you make the Homer area your home?” Open to all ages and abilities. Art may be 2D or 3D with any medium of the artist’s choosing. Each artist may submit up to three works. Submission form and more information at homerart.com. Submissions open through Jan. 20. Drop off work to the HCOA office through Jan. 27. First Friday Opening Reception, Feb. 2, 5-7 p.m.

Artist potluck

This series is intended to create an environment for artists to network and grow together, with the first event being focused on career development and marketing. Artists will have the opportunity to learn from each other, with presentations from working artists, then a panel style question and answer and a mingling opportunity to foster cross-disciplinary friendships and support. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 6-8 p.m. at HCOA Gallery. Presenting artists include Abigail Kokai, Cynthia Morelli and Carley Conemac.

Annual meeting and 2023 artist award announcement

Join HCOA staff in the gallery on Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. for a check-in on the state of the organization, including highlights from 2023 and goals for 2024. After the meeting, the recipients of the HCOA 2023 Arts Awards will be announced.

Community jam sessions

Community Jam Sessions are free and open to all instruments and abilities. Community members are invited to bring their instrument and music. Session explore a range of genres based on attendees interest. Light refreshments available. Year-round on Thursdays, 6:30-9 p.m.

For more information, to register for any events and activities, apply for scholarships, submit artwork and sign up for the email newsletter, visit homerart.org, email hcoa@homerart.org, call 907-235-4288, or stop by in person at 355 W Pioneer Avenue, Monday-Saturday from 1-5 p.m.

A vocals workshops will be offered by Homer Council on the Arts with Pat Broaders from The Irish Trio on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

Youth ceramics classes with Robert Ostman will be offered in January 2024 at Homer Council on the Arts. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

“Orchids” is a Chinese brush painting by Sharlene Cline, who will teach a class on Chinese brush painting at Homer Council on the Arts on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by HCOA