POETRY POTTERY PARTY on Friday May 24!
Karen Lopez, the well known VAA artist and expert potter, has recently opened a fabulous art studio in Palmer—the NuKreationZ Art & Creativity Center located at 735 S. Bailey Street.
For the past 4 years Karen and the VAA have held a Raku Pottery Party in the spring. Now that Karen has a new art studio, she suggested something different…
On Friday, May 24, Karen and the VAA will be hosting a POETRY POTTERY PARTY at NuKreationsZ.
During this event, the participants will select one of Karen’s hand made, but unglazed, pots and will apply traditional, food safe glazes to create their own unique pot.
In past Raku events, the pot was fired during the event, and the participant was able to take the pot home that day. However, in this POETRY POTTERY PARTY we will be using traditional food-safe glazes, which require a different and longer firing and will require the pot to remain at Karen’s NuKreationZ Art & Creativity Center for several days. The fired pots will be available for pick-up in about one week.
As the participants decorate their pots with glazes, Karen, Sandra Cook and Pam Meekin will be demonstrating the art of throwing a basic pot on the wheel.
And in keeping with the POETRY POTTERY PARTY theme, there will be local poets in attendance, reciting their poetry throughout the evening.
This event will run from 7 to 9 pm, and refreshments will be available. The course fee is $25, payable at the door. Space is limited, so contact Carmen (at)ValleyArtsAlliance (dot) com for any questions or to sign-up.
Bill Tull & Friends at Vagabond Blues May 19!
On Sunday, May 19, Bill Tull and Friends, Palmer’s premier jazz group, will be performing a selection of popular songs from both the American and Brazilian Songbooks, at Vagabond Blues in Palmer.
The American Songbook is a list of the most influential and enduring American popular songs of the 20th century, with the majority originating from Broadway and Hollywood productions from the 1920’s through the 1960’s.
The music of Brazil encompasses various regional music styles influenced by African, European and Amerindian forms, including the icon of Brazilian national identity, samba, and that fusion of samba and jazz, bossa nova.
This performance will run from 2 to 3:30 pm. No reservations are necessary; a suggested donation is $5.
VAA partners with Valley Performing Arts!
“The Beverly Hillbilles”, directed by Larry Burton, will premier May 10 and run through May 26 at the Machetanz Theatre located at 251 West Swanson in Wasilla.
The lovable Clampett family rides onto the stage for an evening of hillbilly hilarity. Starting in the Clampett's mountain cabin, the play follows them through the discovery of oil, their improbable invasion of hi-falutin' Beverly Hills society and the absurd adventures and ridiculous romances they encounter there. Join Jed, Granny, Jethro, and Elly May as they make themselves at home in "Californy" and provide Mr. Drysdale and Miss Hathaway with a truckload of hillbilly trouble. The vittles will be hot, the cement pond will be cool, and the laughter will be non-stop! “Come and listen to the story of a man named Jed….”
In the lobby of the Machetanz Theatre is the Valley Arts Alliance showcase that displays locally crafted original artwork by Valley Arts Alliance members.
For the next several weeks, our showcase will contain exhibits from "OneTree", a joint venture of the Valley Arts Alliance, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, and the UAF School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences. This exhibit shows the unique value of woodlands by demonstrating the volume and quality of work that can be made from just one tree.
Our showcase features the work of Valeri Barber, Sandra Cook, Pat Garley, Randi Perlman, C. Ryan Pierce, Steve Totten, and Judy and Peter Vars. To see all the work featured in the original OneTree exhibit, please visit our OneTree archive page.
New displays at the Machetanz Theatre are being planned, so that we can provide VPA theatre guests with an opportunity to view our local community artists. Just another example of the Valley Arts Alliance bringing the community together through the arts!
What is "Second Saturday"?
On one day each month—the “Second Saturday” here in the Valley—we are encouraging local art galleries, restaurants, and retail businesses to join in with local and regional artists, sculptors, musicians, and food masters for a festive day of art and entertainment.
This concept has been adopted in a variety of locations throughout America, and provides a festive atmosphere for visitors to plan a day on the town and browse the many participating stores and venues. A bookstore could schedule a book signing; a coffee shop could schedule a poetry reading; a gallery could have an artist demonstrate; or a retail establishment could provide space for a musician to play. All on the same day of the month—the Second Saturday.
The Valley Arts Alliance is coordinating the "Second Saturday" project. Just email us if you are willing to participate and we will attempt to match up artists and venues. For a complete list of participating Second Saturday venues, please sign up for our newsletter. It’s that easy! Join us in supporting the arts in our community, and in helping to make our art community grow.