Kickstarter

Art and Alaska what two ideas could be more inspiring.

This photo behind me, in the video, was taken from my dining room window last summer in Whittier Alaska.

You might be surprised how many artists of all types are sprinkled throughout this great state, in bush communities, small towns and big cities too. Not only are there painters, sculptors, actors, dancers & musicians, but there are also chainsaw carvers, weavers, furniture makers and of course Native Alaskan artists with their unique designs & materials.

Even though Alaska is 1/5 the size of the whole U.S. there is a relatively small population, about 1 person per square mile. But we have it all when it comes to diversity of the arts.

Did you know there is a symphony and chamber music as well as lots of blue grass and other forms of music & festivals around the state?

Alaskan Art is so broad and imaginative and amazing but it is all so spread out and sometimes hard to find. Never has there been a comprehensive statewide guide to the arts of all kinds.

I am publishing just such a guide even as we speak. It is a collaboration with many arts groups, associations & communities.  We are currently laying out the graphics & editorial copy. We will be printing 10,000 copies to be availabe for FREE at a variety of locations around the state and a digital version on line.

I just completed a guide book like this, for the town of Whittier Alaska. Everyone raved about it. You can see a copy of it online at www.WhittierAlaska.info

The arts guide  book will include. .
Events
Festivals
Public Art
Arts Groups: General & membership information
Cultural Exhibits
Website & calendars
Galleries & shows
Individual artists
Art supplies & artist resources
Classes & workshops
Dining, Lodging & other activities

So far everyone has been very enthusiastic about the project. The only hitch is that most arts groups  have VERY limited budgets. Unfortunately, there is a cost to producing, printing, shipping & distributing this guide.

This is where you can help. Although we have a few advertisers committed to help, it isn't nearly enough. With your support we can make this guide a reality. You & your friends will be able to view the digital version online too.

As a thank you for your financial support, we will not only send you a copy of the finished guide but you may also get a print of one of several choice pieces. For example, this puffin, or the ravens, or Nikki the sled dog or this view of Passage Canal in Whittier are just a few of the options. There will be a number of choices for you to have your own piece of Alaskan Art.

You may select any image from www.DavidWagner.smugmug.com  for your choice of incentive gifts.  Thanks Dave!

If we don't reach our goal, of course, we get nothing and we'll have to knocking doors, it will take longer, but it will get done.

In the event we exceed our goal, we may be able to include more pages, print more copies or expand our distribution areas.

This is an important project for Alaskans, for visitors and for those that have not yet been to Alaska.

Not only will it
1)encourage & promote the arts & artists in Alaska,
2)it will make Alaskan Art accessible to more people,
3)but most importantly it will encourage each of us to explore the creative parts of ourselves that we perhaps, may not have recognized before.

I strongly believe that each of us has a creative spark that we yearn to develop. Whether it be art in the traditional sense or quilting or cooking or decorating our homes or gardens. We each desire to express our creative ideas.

There will be resources in this guide, included in the online version that you can use, where ever in the world you live.
1) we will include a link on line to a pdf with instructions for making concrete leaf impressions for your home or garden
2) we are also including a pdf online with instructions for making paint, play dough, puppets & paper Mache

Thanks everyone for your enthusiastic support so far.
I look forward to sharing the beauty & joy of Art & Alaska with you.