Anchorage

I spent the past few days up here in Anchorage, Alaska attending an arts and culture conference put on by our State Arts Council.

A moose browses on bark right next to a busy street.

The theme of the conference was building creative communities.  Outstanding presenters included Ben Cameron of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Milenko Matanovic of the Pomegranate Center, and Carole Coletta of ArtPlace.  You have to check these organizations out.  There is so much hope for a better world through co-operation and collaboration in the arts!

Anchorage, -7 degrees F (-22 C) at 4pm

Big icicles hung from the eaves of this house.

There was lots of information about how artists have been collaborating with others in their communities to create gathering spaces; about the changing role of artists and how that can bring positive change to our aching world.

 

I met artist friends both old and new in the workshops.  It was a great conference. 

 

I fly home tomorrow, full of inspiration and fired up to get back in the studio.  Hope you are having a good weekend.