State of the Arts
MAY 2008
THE
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
MAINSTAGE Fairbanks
Ron Veliz and
concert series
sponsored by Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation.
North
Photo: James Barker
I N T HI S I SSUE P2 & 3 P4 P4 P5 P5 P6 & 7 P8
BACK TO ALASKA READING SERIES GIFT SHOP AUTHOR GIFT SHOP ARTIST ARTS DOWN THE ROAD GALLERY EXHIBIT COMMUNITY CALENDAR
VOLUNTEER NEEDS VOLUNTEER THANKS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY CORNER COMMITTEE MEETINGS OLDIE BUT GOLDIE FILM SERIES VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
“PROMOTING CONTEMPORARY AND TRADITIONAL ARTS IN ALASKA’S INTERIOR.”
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There are a few urban legends circulating through the Interior. an administrator. She brings all her energy and excitement about One in particular states, “You cannot stay away from Alaska. If you sharing the arts with the community. We really value her contacts leave, you will return within few years.” Most of us know that there and we know they will strengthen our abilities to collaborate on a is more than just a grain of truth in that statement. Our state seems to statewide level.” Art Rotch was named as the new Artistic Director of Perseverance have a quality akin to “love at first sight”. We have all had seen many visitors and exchange students leaving, only to return “for good.” It Theatre in Juneau. The Juneau-based professional theatre company is especially wonderful to see people with leadership potential in the was founded in 1979 with the mission of “tapping the potential of Alaska through the passionate creation and presentation of theatre.” arts making Alaska their home. Recently a number of art organizations around the state have been In order to make theatre that is by, for and about Alaskans, the Board faced with searching for candidates to fill vacant positions of upper of Directors searched for an Artistic Director whose philosophy management. For some, like the University of Alaska Museum of meshed with their own. “Rotch was the Board’s top choice from the North, the search has just begun. But for others, like Fairbanks more than 60 applicants,” said Maria Gladziszewski, chairwoman of Concert Association, Anchorage Concert Association, Perseverance the search committee. “It’s important to me that (Perseverance) have a really strong Theater and Fairbanks Native Association the search has ended revealing a preference Alaska flavor,” Rotch said. His predecessor, PJ Paparelli, held the or me, position for four years. Since Rotch’s arrival in Juneau in 1989, he has personally for “Alaskan-grown” as the end result. worked with the company as technical director, designer, and board Jason Hodges, who recently resigned and member. Six years ago he moved to New York to study for his MFA as Executive Director of the Fairbanks professionally, Concert Association (FCA) after taking at New York University, but still found the time to return to Juneau to it’s about taking the over three years ago from veteran design four shows during this period. Artistic directors usually have next step as administrator Herta Prechtel, accepted a background as stage directors, but Rotch’s background in set and a performing the position of Executive Director of the lighting design makes him uniquely qualified for the position. arts Fairbanks Native Association recently hired Ray Atwood as their Anchorage Concert Association (ACA). administrator. ACA has a similar role to that of FCA new Executive Director. He grew up in Fairbanks and received his -Jason Hodges in the community -- it brings musicians, B.A. in Justice and his A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies from UAF. He lecturers and other entertainers to then went to work for as a paralegal for Doyon, Limited in Seattle perform in Alaska. Hodges said, “I’ve been honored to work in the and eventually branched out to start his own consulting company. performing arts in Fairbanks. It’s really wonderful that the people in He returns to his home in Alaska with the knowledge and experience Fairbanks support the arts as much as they do, which adds to what to lead this organization. After 15 years as director of the University of Alaska Museum of makes Fairbanks a special place to live.” However, he suggested that on a professional level he would like to become an advocate for the North, Aldona Jonaitis plans to retire in November. Her tenure the performing arts statewide. Fairbanks Concert Association Board as the museum director was marked by dramatic growth, both in President Edie Husby credited Hodges with bringing larger audiences facilities and in programs. Jonaitis plans to remain in Fairbanks when and renewed excitement to the organization during his tenure. Hodges initiated a crowdpleasing program where audience surveys determined which performers would come to Fairbanks. Husby said he also changed the marketing approach for FCA including the use of season brochures and e-mail to promote events. After a national search, the FCA board announced that Anne Biberman, formerly a corporate support manager for KUAC, will assume the directorship. Husby, who chaired the search committee, said of Biberman: “We are excited about Anne. She was attractive as a candidate because of her passion for the performing arts. She grew up in New York City and has a background in dance and theater and she has proven University of Alaska Museum of the North Director Aldona Jonaitis success with KUAC, both as a fundraiser and
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ore than ever, the recent events have shown that not only it is possible to pursue an arts administration career right here at home, but that Alaskans are willing to stay and continue the legacy of the arts in our beautiful state.
she retires, starting a dessert catering business and working as a museum consultant. A national search for her replacement is currently underway. More than ever, the recent events have shown that not only it is possible to pursue an arts administration career right here at home, but that Alaskans are willing to stay and continue the legacy of the arts in our beautiful state.
Perseverence Theater Artistic Director Art Rotch
Tougher in Alaska Local artist Craig Buchanan will be featured on the History Channel Series “Tougher in Alaska.” Buchanan, a resident of Ester has had a prolific artistic career. His work features various scale structures assembled from found natural and industrial materials and has been included in numerous exhibitions around the state and the Lower 48. Moreover, the artist has been profiled in a variety of publications which include two books: “Outhouses of Alaska” by Harry Walker and “Found and Assembled in Alaska” by Julie Decker. “Tougher in Alaska,” a 13 part series about the challenges of living and working in America’s legendary last frontier will premiere on the History Channel in May 2008. For more information about the series please visit www.moorehuntley.com. May 2008
Craig Buchanan
FA I R B A N K S A R T S A S S O C I AT I O N Fairbanks Arts Association was established in 1966 to promote and support the arts in the Fairbanks area. The Association is funded by private, corporate, and foundation memberships and donations, City of Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. With assistance from professional staff and charitable volunteers, the Association provides services in five areas: Visual, Literary, Performing, Community Arts and Arts Education. The Association also helps raise funds for other arts groups, provides technical assistance and support for arts programming, encourages and advises individual artists beginning organizations and sponsors workshops and educational meetings. •
FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
Board of Directors Corlis Taylor, President Marcella Hill, Vice President Leafy McBride, Secretary Myrna Colp, Treasurer
Members: Bob Dempsey Jerrie Graham Joan Stack Shane Hurd Lorraine Peterson
Staff June Rogers, Executive Director , ex 225 Melissa Hougland, Associate Director, ex 226 Sherry Faught, Office Manager/Bookkeeper, ex 223 Tatiana Piatanova, Program Director, ex 227 Carey Seward, Special Projects, ex 224 Jessica Rehfield, Education Coordinator, ex 222
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.:: Reading Series ‘08 Leah Aronow-Brown and Melina Draper
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eah Aronow-Brown is originally from Boston, but she has been in Fairbanks since 1976. Leah has a BA in Psychology and Metaphysics from Harvard University and an MFA in Creative Writing from University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her poetry, articles and stories have been published around the country and have won state and international literary prizes. A musician since age three, she composes and performs on voice, guitar, harp, recorder, keyboard, Appalachian dulcimer and Native American flute. She also crafts in beads, clay and fibers.
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elina Draper has a book of poetry forthcoming from Oyster River Press titled Place of Origin ~ Lugar de Origen, co-authored and translated (Spanish and English) with Elena Lafert. Her poetry has appeared in Salamander, Antietam Review, Elixir, Potpourri, and other journals. She has also published fiction in The Evansville Review. Her chapbook What Better Place than This? was published in 2003 by Pudding House Publications. Melina recently moved to Fairbanks with her husband, fiction writer David Crouse, and son, Dylan, and is pursuing an MFA in poetry at UAF. Melina has an MA the University of New Hampshire and a BA in Russian and Comparative Literature from Colorado College. She was born and raised mostly in Santa Fe, NM, where she grew up bilingual and bicultural, with an American father and Argentinean mother.
May Reading is Saturday, May 3rd at 7pm • Bear Gallery
Gift Shop Author of the Month: Lisa D. Chávez
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Lisa D. Chávez is now an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico. Chávez was born in Los Angeles and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. She has published two books of poetry: Destruction Bay and In an Angry Season, and has been included in such anthologies as Floricanto Si! A Collection of Latina Poetry , The Floating Borderlands: 25 Years of U.S. Hispanic Literature, and American Poetry: The Next Generation. Her creative nonfiction has been published in Fourth Genre, The Clackamas Literary Review and other places. Before going to UNM, she taught at the University of Alaska, in Poland with the Peace Corps, in Japan and in Rochester, NY. In addition to creative writing, she is interested in multicultural American literature. She now lives in the mountains with her dogs, a German Shepherd and a Shiba Inu. She has just finished a third book of poetry called An Atlas of Desire. FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
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Gift Shop Artist of the Month: Denise Bates Fairbanks has been my home since 1992. I have been an avid gardener most of my life, starting in early childhood. Indoors or out I have a hard time killing anything that grows. I have only become serious about photography since moving here. I have never seen a picture of myself that I liked so I figured if I was taking them there would be fewer pictures of me. Eight years ago when I started winning ribbons in the fair, and other flower shows, I started photographing the flowers and found I had a knack for it. This is when I started to combine my two hobbies and now it has become my passion. I strive to catch the glorious and fleeting beauty of a flower and then to share it with others. Many of my photos are from my own garden but you will find me all over Fairbanks in search of the perfect flower to capture. From the University’s gardens to downtown Fairbanks, even walking my dog, there is no lack of opportunity. As our winters are long, I even started growing orchids so I would have something to photograph in our dark long winters. It may take days to capture a flower at it’s peak and lighting is also a main concern. You add the weather to the mix and flower photography can be very challenging. This is where the passion comes in. All the conditions have to be just right and the end product speaks for itself.
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Patrick and Peggy Bookey Patrick and Peggy Bookey, both retired teachers, have combined their talents of woodturning and egg carving to make attractive art pieces for their home and the public. Working under the business name of Artistic Creations, they spend many hours selecting just the right wood, form and design to meet any price range. Finding time to work in their studio takes some planning because both have busy schedules. Their activities include watching grandchildren, 5 dogs, 4 cats, operating a summer fishing charter and attending shows. Every other available moment is then directed at planning and executing a new piece. Pat selects his wood from a variety of imported exotic species, but prefers to use the local birch, spruce, choke cherry and aspen. He uses burls whenever possible because they offer such creative potential. In order to have a design pierced into a turning, Pat must turn a very thin walled vessel, approx. 2 mm in thickness. Then Peggy selects a design that compliments the wooden form and
May 2008
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FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
uses a high speed drill to remove wood, leaving behind a shape held in place with small wooden connections. This entire process takes about two years from when the wood is selected, rough turned, returned, carved and finished. Artistic Creations offers many different styles to select from: bowls, vases, segmented, pierced and embellished turnings. Hopefully, each piece finds a new owner and place to compliment any décor. For more information e-mail bookey@ gci.net.
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MAY
Gallery Exhibits
Fairbanks Potters Guild
Food for Thought
The Fairbanks Potters Guild is a non-profit organization formed in 1996 to promote the ceramic arts and support the work of area potters. The Guild is committed to education and awards scholarships each year to high school and college students pursuing education in the ceramics field. The Guild sponsors workshops and classes and has hosted world class visiting artists. The Guild is also involved in community service and each year, in conjunction with the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, sponsors the Empty Bowls Project. In 2007 more than $18,000 was raised by selling over 1000 handmade bowls created by local potters and ceramics students. Some Guild members are full time professional potters, selling and exhibiting at galleries locally and throughout Alaska. Some members, who have other vocations, are only
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able to be part time potters, but most of these potters also sell and exhibit their work. The educational background of Guild members varies considerably. Several members have degrees in art or design related fields. Some have taught ceramics at the post secondary level, others at the elementary and secondary levels. Some members have taught at the post secondary level in other art/ design disciplines. The one educational commonality is that almost every member has been associated to some degree with the UAF Ceramics program, from taking classes in Ceramics, to teaching ceramics classes, to being the department head. The Fairbanks Potters Guild currently has about 40 members, meets monthly and welcomes anyone interested in the art and craft of ceramics.
Exhibit Dates: May 2-31 • Opening Reception: Friday, May 2, 5-8pm FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
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May 2008
Photographs by Douglas Yates
Evidence of Water::
Mining Ester Dome’s Intangible Values. Exploring the Convergence of soil, ice and water. Inspired by Water, Camera Sees Beyond its Deficites Artist Statement by Douglas Yates Water braids channels on the landscape and fuels our imagination. It sweeps the old before it as the tide of breakup rolls across Alaska. From a perch on Ester Dome, my camera documents its passage and what remains in its wake. Literal and metaphoric, the images offer windows from which to measure water’s influence in our lives. For many living on Ester Dome, water’s integral value to human communities is limited by previous industry. One hundred years of gold mining has liberated arsenic in such quantities as to produce ground water unfit for consumption. Though the concentration varies from well to well, there’s little doubt that water’s diminished quality is the result of years of blasting, drilling and excavating. In order to offset the degradation, residents haul treated city water or pay to have it delivered. While not generally recognized, its quality is dubious as fluoride is added to it. See: fluoridealert.org. People value water’s tangible and intangible qualities. Sacrificing some for economic reasons heightens the loss of those who come later, sharpening an awareness for restoration and protection. Streams and rivers are among the most generative features of my childhood geography. Wading, swimming, floating with the current, mesmerized by the shifting light. I drank from these streams, dipping water to make tea or cook a meal. On May 2008
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Ester Dome few drink from the wells or creeks today; we know about the arsenic. Water’s aesthetic capacity is enlarged by its relationship to temperature. Whether illustrating a liquid or a solid, my work reflects water’s ability to manifest chaos and order. The images offer a vantage from which to consider its influence in our lives and dreams. Though winter’s ice may seem enduring, it too has an ebb and flow. Daily fluctuations in temperature and humidity can soften or sharpen ice crystals, altering shape, texture and transparency. As a liquid, water is a medium for plant and insect growth. Drawn by gravity, it moves nutrients downhill, providing food for salmon and grayling and a route to the sea. In the ice-free season, change occurs at rates that blurs winter’s temporal distinctions. Sunlight invests even a trickle of water with grace and power. Arrested, as if frozen, the liquid views invite an examination of flow, water’s essential characteristic. They resonate with the fact that our blood is 85 percent water and that capillaries and dendritic watersheds bear remarkable similarities.
Photographs featuring these comparisons present new ways to consider water’s practical and spiritual dimensions. They offer a context for reordering priorities. They bring sunlight to one of the planet’s most neglected values, fresh water, and the intangible assets it supports.
FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
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EXHIBITS University of Alaska Museum of the North presents “Hunting & Trapping”, opening Saturday, May 17 This exhibit highlights the traditions and values passed down through generations of Interior Alaskans, both Native and non-Native. The exhibit includes 33 historic firearms, clothing, tools and other material from the museum’s collections, presented with contemporary and historic photographs, oral history recordings, and objects on loan from the community. MUSICAL THEATER/OPERA OPERA FAIRBANKS announces AUDITIONS for chorus roles in our August production of Rossini’s comic masterpiece La Centerentola . Performances will be August 22 and 24, 2008 with some rehearsals starting around Aug.1. Auditions will be held in Fairbanks Friday May 2 from 7 to 10 pm. Those auditioning will be asked to sing one memorized selection. You must bring music for the accompanist provided by Opera Fairbanks. Call 456-7573 (Theresa Reed) or email <tmreed@ gci.net> to schedule an audition time or for more information. DANCE North Star Ballet’s 20th annual Spring Gala, featuring Cinderella and the repertory works Holberg Suite and Betwixt and Between. Saturday, April 26 at 2 pm and 8 pm, Sunday, April 27 at 2 pm. Hering Auditorium. Tickets at Hoitts, Artworks, Bentley Mall Safeway, North Star Ballet and the door. General admission adults $18, under 13 $8, student/senior $16. Half price for active military. Reserved seats $24. Call 451-8800 for information or reservations. Dance Theatre Fairbanks THUMBELINA May 23,24,30,31 and June 1st at The Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts at Pioneer Park. $15 adults, $12 senior/military/student, $6 children ages 12 and under. Tickets available at Dance Theatre Fairbanks, Beaver Sports, and Bruegger’s Bagels. More information available at www.dancetheatrefairbanks.com or by calling 452-1113. MUSIC Fairbanks Concert Association presents Shidara Taiko on Thursday, May 1 at 8pm Hering Auditorium $36 adults, $32 students/ seniors/military Tickets available at www. alaskatix.com, by calling 490-2858, or visiting Grass Roots Guitar on College Road. More information available at www.fairbanksconcert. org
To submit calendar information please email melissa@fairbanksarts.org or call 456-6485 ext.226
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CLASSES/WORKSHOPS Tuesday, 13 May. 7:00 pm, Salisbury Theatre, UAF. North Star Ballet School Annual Class Demonstration. Entry by free-will donation. Call 451-8800 for information. May Registration begins for summer DRAMA PROJECT - a professional training program for children ages 5 - 18 years. Call 456-PLAY to request a registration brochure. OPPORTUNITIES YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING IS LOOKING FOR HOST FAMILIES FOR FALL 2008! Youth for Understanding USA is a nonprofit organization that partners with over 50 countries around the world. We provide orientations and ongoing support to host families, volunteers and exchange students to ensure student success while on program. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact me at blizzard@ yfu.org or by phone at 907.561.2918 or toll free 800.872.0200 ext 281. Also, please refer to our website www.yfu-usa.org for more information. OPPORTUNITIES 4Culture is seeking to acquire wall-mounted landscape works that use color for the Harborview Medical Center Collection, part of the King County Public Art Collection. The subject matter for this call must be the essence of landscape, whether represented realistically or abstractly. Artists who would like their work considered for purchase must submit images of existing available artwork for the panel’s review. For a complete prospectus, visit the website below. Deadline: May 5, 2008 For more information: Greg Bell greg. bell@4culture.org or www.4culture.org OPPORTUNITIES ANTARCTIC ARTISTS AND WRITERS PROGRAM The purpose of the Antarctic Artists and Writers Program is to enable serious writings and works of art that exemplify the Antarctic heritage of humankind. In particular, the program seeks to increase public understanding of the Antarctic region, including the continent and the surrounding oceans, as well as the associated research and education endeavors. For more information please visit <http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08552/ nsf08552.htm?govDel=USNSF_25>
We need volunteers in the Bear Gallery & gift shop for the summer season! This is a great opportunity to support the arts in Fairbanks while meeting visitors and sharing about life in the north. Our volunteer docents fill a four-hour shift once a week and are a vital part of our program. Find out more about how you can be part of the team at Fairbanks Arts Association by calling 456-6485 ext. 223 or 226.
VOLUNTEERS!
Acheivment in the Arts
The Lathrop High School Ballroom Dance Team earned third place in a national dance competition held last weekend in Utah. The 14 dancers, coached by Stefani Brown, had been practicing their rhumba, samba, cha cha and jive routines since October. The hard work paid off when the team took third in the Division Two Youth Latin Formation Ballroom Dance Championships at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. This was the team’s second time to enter a national competition but it had been two years since they competed at this level. The community is invited to see the dance routines May 2 at 7:30 p.m. at a show at Hering Auditorium. For details, contact Brown at Ryan Middle School, 452-4751 ext. 9349 or sbrown@northstar. k12.ak.us.
Community Calendar! FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
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Carol Harris has generously donated "Bear House Posts" by Robert Jones to the Fairbanks Arts Association Bear Gallery and Gift Shop. Thank you Carol!
Dinners in the Homes
Historical Materials Wanted!
Gazebo Nights Are coming! Every night at 7pm in June, July and August Fairbanks Arts Association will offer free local entertainment in the gazebo in Pioneer Park at 2300 Airport Way. This annual summer program will feature numerous entertainers including: Mike Stackhouse, Theresa Bauer, Blazing Bellows, and Solstice Complex. Please come out and support your local performers!
May 2008
Do you have any old newspaper clippings, show programs, photos or other information from the beginnings of the Fairbanks Arts Association? We are collecting all historical documents, no matter how insignificant. So clean out your garage and bring them by! Fairbanks Arts Association Office, Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts in Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way Phone: 456-6485 ext 226. â&#x20AC;˘
FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
This summer we are pleased to host over 1000 guests! In order for Fairbanks Arts Association to make this happen, we need you! All dinners are scheduled on Thursday night from mid-May to mid-September with pickup scheduled at 6:45pm. Available dates include May 22nd, 29th, June 5th, 12th, 26th, July 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, August 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, September 4th and 11th. Please give us a call at 456-6485 ext. 224 if you would like to volunteer or have any questions about Dinners in the Homes.
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U O Y K N A TH
ts: VSA Ar peedy Glass her n S
Community Writers Group May 11 from 1-4pm
y Galler ts: Docen
een Deb McQuan Flein Nort ss Margret V ry Hoffer Gla ss Jane Grego Pioneer Gla ill Pat Mack ns Marcella Hdstrom-Pride Cheryl Joe Katie San h and Family Lee Harrisr Doreen Fisd and Family Betsy Bea ultz Shane Hur hior Frances Sh Hilda Melcith Middle Fish Randy Sm nd Chris Pastro Doreen ks: School a l Than tisans r A r o i Inter : Intake
e Phyllis Tat s s Dawn Cra
MAY Committee Meetings:
u nte e rs: l o V r u o to
SpeciHaaigh and
Long Prose Writers Group May 15 at 6:00pm Literary Arts Committee May 19 at 5:30pm Cinema Arts Committee May 20 at 5:30pm Visual Arts Committee May 21 at 5:30pm Community Arts Meeting May 28 at Noon
r sol fo Jane ia Peir us help c i r t a P e genero their oetry at th P h t i w e. dredg
All meetings in the Bear Gallery, 3rd Floor of the Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way. For more information call 456-6485 ext. 227.
s on The Fairbanks Arts Asso ciation relie ity donation s each year from com mun vary mem bers just like you. Our needs now from time to time, however right we need: Office Supplie s Step Ladder Fla sh Dri ve Sca nne r Dig ita l Cam era Ham me rs
Des k Cha irs Leg al-size 3 rin g bin ders Hou se
pa int bru she s
Tha nk you for you r gene rosi ty in contiuin g to supp ort FAA !
Tammy Phillips
Watercolor
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Society Corner
Tammy Phillips is a self taught artist who works mainly in water media, with some collage work and glass art. She loves the way water based paints flow onto the paper and the diversity in which the paint enables creativity. Tammy prefers studio painting and works mainly from photos she takes in her garden or where ever that “perfect” flower happens to be. She has studied water media for 8 years,and is a master gardener, which pairs naturally with her floral paintings. A member of Fairbanks Arts Association, Fairbanks Watercolor Society, North Pole Art League and Tanana Valley Master Gardeners; she is also a founding member of the North Pole Art Society (Watercolor Wednesday artist).
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May 2008
MAINSTAGE Fairbanks concert series
sponsored by Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation.
Ron Veliz and North • Wednesday, May 14th, 7pm Ron Veliz and North features Ron Veliz on guitar, Jim Vogt on drums, John Keech on bass, and Jason Slats on saxophone playing funky jazz fusion. Ron said that he tends to avoid the word quartet because his group almost always has special guest musicians. Ron said that this group has played together for six or seven years, but not much for the past year or two. “The saxophone player moved to his home village of Cheevak, and now he’s going to be in town for a couple of months. In certain respects, it’s kind of like a reunion…” Ron moved to Fairbanks in 2000. He performs, records, teaches and promotes jazz and the Arts both in Alaska and around the world. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he studied music at the University of Santa Clara, De Anza College and privately with jazz guitar greats Joe Pass, Howard Roberts and Warren Nunes. His professional career as a performer, educator, producer and recording artist has included projects with Don Grusin, Dave Valentin, Jay Leno, Smith Dobson, The Ink Spots, Bloodstone, Buddy Miles and The Ron Veliz Quintet which includes members of Santana, Tower of Power, The Doobie Brothers, and the Miles Davis Band. He also co-owns the Alaska House Gallery with Yolande Fejes and says the gallery is his summer priority where he regularly performs. Ron’s educational experiences include teaching at public and private schools throughout California and a 15 year association with SMI in San Jose, California. Recent clinics and performances include the Birmingham Jazz Festival in England, the Galway Arts Festival in Ireland, University of Belfast, the San Jose Jazz Festival, San Diego Street Scene, the University
of Alaska Jazz Festival and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. Ron is a member of the Fairbanks Arts Association and was one of the very first performers at Gazebo Nights in Pioneer Park. This year he will perform Mondays in July at the Gazebo in Pioneer Park. Ron said: “Fairbanks has been really wonderful to me. The audiences are amazing.”
CONCERTS take place at the
theater in Alaska Centenial Center for Arts at 7 pm Tickets available at the door for $5
For more information please call 456-6485, ext 227 or go to www.fairbanksarts.org May 2008
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FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
THE
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
MAY 2008
State of the Arts
THANK YOU!
P.O. Box 72786 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
My name is Joyce (Freeman) Clark, I was born in Ashland, Oregon several years ago on New Years! I came to Soldotna, Alaska in 1981, managed the laundry/dry cleaners/trailer court for about 3 years. After that I attended Kenai Peninsula College for about 2 years and decided to finish my education by going to Southern Oregon State College. I graduated in 1989 with a BA in Education and a BA in History. I returned to Soldotna in 1989 and did some substitue teaching and in 1991 came to Fairbanks for a job fair and decided to stay. I went to work for Women In Crisis as a receptionist, and became involved with Fairbanks Arts Association. I was Secretary of the FAA Literary Arts Committee for awhile and involved with the Literary Jam Session. Along with Janet Baird and Don Elbert, I was one of the Community Writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group first members. I have worked with the FAA and The Community Writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group for several years and have enjoyed every minute!! The CWG is now working on their second anthology!! I am happy to say that I am part of that as I was the first one!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT -
Joyce Clark