May’s First Friday celebration will feature wearable art, basket weaving, multimedia work, found objects, paintings and more. The monthly art walk starts at 5 p.m. May 5.
Eight live models from Haines will show off the work of artist Beth Bolander at the Haines Brewing Company, and will “be in full costume from head to toe,” Bolander said.
Bolander has been creating wearable art for the last four years, with most of her pieces making appearances at Juneau’s wearable art shows and the Southeast Alaska State Fair.
Many of her pieces are made out of recycled items. Bolander worked on a new “post-apocalyptic” costume this year with a welder in Juneau. It includes keys and metal. Another costume is made out of bicycle parts and includes a large metal mohawk. A tribute piece to David Bowie might also be modeled for First Friday.
Bolander said her pieces are large and elaborate, and sometimes her models forget they have a tail or another protruding piece and need to be careful in a crowded room.
“Some (pieces) are big and cause pain, so people attending need to watch out,” Bolander said.
Helen Alten will host a hands-on workshop on basket weaving at the Haines Sheldon Museum. The drop-in session is part of the museum’s new “Fortnight of Learning,” a two-week program of evening lectures for locals and visiting guides to learn about the history of the Chilkat Valley.
Other presentations throughout the program starting Tuesday, May 2 include origins of local street names, agriculture in Southeast, Tlingit material culture, the valley’s tectonic history, local wildlife, and a guided naturalist walk.
The Alaska Arts Confluence will feature multimedia art by author and journalist Jean Meaux Ballanco including book art, ceramics, watercolors, block prints and more.
The Skipping Stone will display paintings and Cinco De Mayo themed food by Haines resident Yuko Hays, said owner Joanie Wagner.
Port Chilkoot Distillery will show miniature scenes made from natural found objects by Matilda Rogers and spring-themed prayer flags by Mandy Ramsey.
Alaska Rod’s and the Alaska Fjordlines gift shops will also be open for First Friday patrons.