The 286,000-acre Haines State Forest doesn’t just present exceptional recreational opportunities in Southeast Alaska. It also provides raw materials for artists and craftsmen looking to fashion wood into beautiful and unique creations.

That’s the focus of the Alaska Arts Confluence’s First Friday exhibit, compiled by local artist Heidi Robichaud.

The exhibit opening, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, consists of four panels about local wood products, including logging, milling, manufacturing and finished goods. The display includes multidimensional wood and tree images, with a strong message of sustainability, Robichaud said.

“It’s really all about celebrating our local forests and the folks who add value to the wood here in Haines,” she said.

Ecologically responsible forest management supports local businesses, protects habitat for multi-use purposes like hunting, fishing and tourism, and recognizes the value of old-growth forest in buffering against climate change, Robichaud said.

Products showcased in the exhibit include downhill skis produced by local manufacturer Fairweather Ski Works, musical instruments crafted by Rob Goldberg, birch bowls fashioned by John Norton, and cabinetry constructed by John Carlson.

The Alaska Arts Confluence is sponsoring the artistic and educational creative placemaking installation to promote awareness of the economic importance of value-added timber products from locally sourced wood.

Another event slated for the April 1 First Friday celebration is the unveiling of all-new paintings by Katie Craney at Skipping Stone Studios. The work, part of a series called “Melt,” is a commentary on Alaska’s warming winters and involves Craney experimenting with new materials such as aluminum leaf on plywood and different textures overlaid with encaustic wax on reflective metal.

The Port Chilkoot Distillery will display work from visiting artists Shelby Key and Joshua DeFisher.

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