Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

James Corner Field Operations to visit Haines

September’s First Friday will feature special guests: representatives from James Corner Field Operations.

James Corner Field Operations principal Tatiana Choulika and associate Colin Curley will be in Haines to present their work for the Portage Cove Waterfront Plan.

Choulika and Curley said they envision the event to be more of a conversation than a presentation. They said the material they plan to present is less a fixed design than a “framework.”

Choulika emphasized the firm’s commitment to getting public feedback. During the firm’s May visit to Haines, she said, “we were looking around, walking around, speaking to as many people as we could.”

The question that people who attend the event should be considering, said Choulika, is “what is Haines going to be in the 21st Century? Is it going to be Juneau? Is it going to be Skagway? Is it going to be Haines?”

“It’s going to be the jumping-off point for implementing realistic or cost-effective ways of optimizing the waterfront for the whole community,” said Carol Tuynman, creative director of the Alaska Arts Confluence, which is organizing the event.

Tuynman emphasized that Choulika and Curley would be available throughout the day. “If anyone wants to meet with them we can arrange that,” she said.

The presentation will take place at the Chilkat Center for the Arts from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The event will feature free childcare from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m.

Arts Confluence to issue call for submissions

The Alaska Arts Confluence is calling for submissions of works of art made from found objects.

Organizers are planning “Trash to Treasure Extravaganza,” a fundraising event to be held May 2, 2020 to benefit the sculpture garden. The event is still in the early stages, but will include a fundraising auction. Volunteer artists, or “creators,” in the words of Roger Gentry, can submit their work to be auctioned off.

The Confluence is specifically requesting art made from old, used objects. Gentry recommends looking through old items in the home or searching at the Salvation Army. Submitted art can take any form, including sculpture, clothing, or visual art.

“It’s really a celebration of the creative process and not really, in quotes, ‘artists,’” said Roger Gentry, Arts Confluence president.

The deadline to submit work is April 25, 2020.

Those interested in the event or in submitting their artwork should contact the Arts Confluence at 766-3715.

First Friday

Ampersand AK will feature handmade wire wrap and macrame gemstone jewelery from Cassie Miller. New photographs from John Hagen will be dispalyed at the Port Chilkoot Distillery.

His work features scenes from Haines, Canada and one from his new Bristol Bay series.

Chef Travis Kukull will serve paella at the Fort Seward Sculputre Garden while a drum circle performs.

Donna Catotti will conduct a portrait study at the Haines Sheldon Museum.