Authors to celebrate Alaska Book Week
The Haines Borough Public Library is celebrating Alaska Book Week by gathering local authors for a roundtable discussion 7 p.m. Monday.
Alaska Book Week, which runs Oct. 4-11, was established in 2011 by 49 Writers to spotlight Alaskan authors and their books. Statewide events include special book displays, author visits to classrooms and writers groups, panel discussions and book club activities.
Jessie Morgan, the library’s education and culture coordinator, said she decided to put together a roundtable discussion so established writers could share their experiences and advice with audience members interested in writing and publishing.
“There’s so much local talent, and I know there are writers who are up-and-coming and want to know this information,” Morgan said. “I’d like to talk about writing in Alaska, where inspiration comes from, using different media like photography and illustration, different genres, self-publishing and how to get published.”
“I think there’s such diverse local talent that we can have a great discussion,” Morgan added.
Resident Heather Lende, author of “If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name” and “Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs,” will facilitate the discussion.
Morgan has also invited resident authors Bob Adkins, Rosalie Loewen, Mark Zeiger, Kathleen Menke, Irwin Hertz, Tracy Mikowski, Judy Hall Jacobson and Dan Henry.
Lende, whose third book “Find the Good” is coming out this April, said she is looking forward to hearing the experience of other authors. While Lende’s work was published by Algonquin Books, several of the panelists have self-published, which is a much different process.
“The publishing world is changing so rapidly and there are so many other options out there,” Lende said. “Self-publishing is not nearly as clunky as it used to be. It’s pretty well-accepted.”
In addition to the roundtable, Morgan said the library will also put out special book displays of Alaskan authors for Alaska Book Week.
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Rudnytsky to perform at center on Oct. 18
The Haines Arts Council is rolling out the Steinway for classical pianist Roman Rudnytsky, who is returning to the Chilkat Center stage 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.
Rudnytsky, who has played in the Chilkat Valley several times, has performed in more than 100 countries.
“He is honestly the most traveled person I know,” said arts council president Tom Heywood. “He travels on ships and performs and performs in Europe and Asia. Everywhere.”
Rudnytsky was born in New York to a prominent Ukrainian musical family. He began studying piano at age 4 and gave his first recital at 7. He graduated from New York’s Juilliard School and studied at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland.
In addition to his dynamic performances, Rudnytsky also explains the stories behind the music.
“He gives really interesting, detailed information on each piece and each composer,” Heywood said.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. They are available at the door.
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Confluence is seeking proposals
The Alaska Arts Confluence is looking for Haines and Klukwan residents to create up to 15 commissioned art pieces for the group’s Fort Seward Wayside Interpretive Project.
The group will release its request for proposals at a presentation and reception 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the Chilkat Center lobby.
The confluence will award up to 15, $1,500 commissions for two-dimensional or three-dimensional art to be photographed and incorporated into cantilevered interpretive panels at Fort Seward.
Confluence creative director Carol Tuynman said the presentation is an opportunity for artists to learn about how to submit proposals. “It’s a chance for artists to ask all their questions and find out what’s involved, and to give their input,” Tuynman said.
The group is looking for work interpreting the culture and history of Fort Seward, including the site’s indigenous history, both pre- and post-Fort. All media types are encouraged.
The confluence will award an additional $2,000 to $8,000 for each of four site-specific, three-dimensional interpretive art work commissions.
Opportunities for sculptural art proposals include the introductory kiosk proposed for the Port Chilkoot Dock, a three-dimensional installation at the base of the parade grounds at the head of Portage Street, a sculpture incorporating the four-and-a-half-foot boiler tank from the Old Barracks Building that will be placed on Soapsuds Alley, and another seven-and-a-half-foot boiler tank between the two barracks buildings.
The work is being paid for with a grant from ArtPlace America.
The deadline for proposals is Jan. 9, 2015.
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Photo group to meet Friday
The Haines Photography Group is meeting Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the library to critique each other’s work and learn about time-lapse photography.
The group has met once a month for the past four months to constructively criticize member photographs and learn about different photo techniques.
Member Russ White will be giving a presentation on time-lapse photography at Friday’s meeting. Participants are encouraged to bring a thumb drive with three original photographs to be viewed for constructive criticism.
Member Dena Selby is coordinating this month’s meeting. The group has dwindled from 15 people at the first meeting to five at its most recent get-together, but Selby is hopeful for a better showing.
The group is also working on a project for the Alaska Arts Confluence’s Art on Main Street project that would install a television with rotating display in one of the interior windows of the Howsers entrance hallway. Call Selby at 240-508-4675 for more information.