Dolls on Parade, July through November 2010
The Valley Arts Alliance has teamed-up with the Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) to invite all artists in the Valley to join us for Dolls on Parade!
The Valley Arts Alliance has worked with the VCRS for the past 3 years, most recently when we arranged for models and artists of the 2010 VAA Wearable Art and Runway Fashion Show to participate at the VCRS “OCEANS” luncheon last February.
Dolls on Parade is modeled after several similar art exhibits throughout the world, including Alaska’s Wild Salmon on Parade in Anchorage and Veggies in Motion in Palmer. Artists were invited to submit a design proposal for decorating a doll—a “blank canvas” for artistic expression—that will be displayed throughout the Valley this summer!
Thirty entries were selected based on artistic creativity and originality of design, and those artists were provided with a doll approximately 16 inches tall that they decorated and modified. One doll was even cast of iron at the recent 2010 VAA Art on Fire Iron Pour Art Fest!
Two of the dolls of this year’s Dolls on Parade are shown here—“Dolly Llama” and “Dolly Varden”, the creations of Dena Tanguay. To see all the dolls, go to our 2010 Dolls on Parade archives page.
Come see these beautifully decorated dolls and meet the artists during our Second Saturday reception from 6 to 8pm on July 10 at Madd Matters, 105 E. Arctic Avenue in Palmer.
The dolls are now on display at the Valley Arts Alliance Art Pavilion, located this year in the Colony Theatre / Church during the Alaska State Fair. After the Fair, they will be on display at other sites around the Valley.
The dolls will be auctioned to the public on Friday, November 12, during our "Hello Dolly" event at the Palmer Moose Lodge located at 1100 Cobb Street in Palmer. Doors open at 6pm, and the auction starts at 7pm. Advance tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple, and tickets purchased at the door are $40 per person and $75 per couple. Proceeds from this auction will help us support art and recycling in our community!
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.




