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Here’s what happening for First Friday in May

Here’s what happening for First Friday in May

Robes and quilts will loom large during May’s First Friday as two new Alaska Native exhibits are scheduled to debut at the city and state museums while a three-day quilt show opens at Centennial Hall.

More than 45 Alaska Native artists are scheduled to participate in the opening of the exhibit “Protection: Adaptation & Resistance” at the Alaska State Museum from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The themes will be wide-ranging in material and tone, ranging from the illustrators of the comic book “Chickaloonies” offering workshops to programming focusing on the upcoming National Day of Recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons on May 5.

Among the other artists at the exhibit are Louise Brady, organizer of the Herring Protector robes; Lily Wooshkindein Da.áat Hope, organizer of the Chilkat Protector mask; and Rico Worl, artist of the USPS Raven Story stamp, according to the museum. Asia Freeman, the exhibit’s curator, will moderate a discussion at 7 p.m. with artists Hope, Amber Webb, K’asheechtlaa Louise Brady and Rico Lanaat’ Worl.

Hope will also debut her exhibit “Yéil Koowú Átx’i Khaa Sháade Nákhx’i Yán Sákw Jeeyís: Ravenstail Regalia for Future Leaders” at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum at 4 p.m. The project features what’s claimed to be one of the largest collections of child-sized Ravenstail, with about 40 created by people throughout North America, which were also featured Tuesday as part of a weavers’ gathering, historical presentation and dance performance Tuesday at Centennial Hall.

The Capital City Quilters Guild will open their annual three-day show at noon on Friday. Works will be exhibited in three of the convention center’s ballrooms and be judged in multiple categories by Nancy Fuka, a nationally certified quilt judge. There will also be quilt demonstrations and other activities at the event which continues until 7 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

People observe images of space while laying on the floor at the Marie Drake Planetarium. (Marie Drake Planetarium photo)

People observe images of space while laying on the floor at the Marie Drake Planetarium. (Marie Drake Planetarium photo)

The full calendar of this month’s First Friday events, as provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council:

Rebecca Hsieh, “Bite Sized,” Juneau Arts & Culture Center, 350 Whittier St., 4-7 p.m.

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council presents “Bite Sized,” an immersive, interactive art exhibit by Rebecca Hsieh that explores the artist’s relationship with food. From traditional Cantonese dishes cooked by her family and favorite street foods, to traditional American foods she was exposed to as she immigrated to the United States — this exhibit illustrates the comfort, respite, and joy that food brings to the artist’s life. Visitors can interacting with these “bite-sized” pieces. Please be sure to have clean hands before touching the pieces and to please place them back to their original state.

Exhibit up through the month.

Alaska State Museum: “Protection: Adaptation and Resistance,” 395 Whittier Street, APK Building, 4:30-7 p.m.

New exhibit presents the work of more than 45 Alaska Native artists who explore the climate crisis, social justice, strengthening communities through ancestral knowledge and imagining a thriving future. A lecture follows the First Friday Opening at 7 p.m. Exhibit curator Asia Freeman will lead a discussion with artists Amber Webb, K’asheechtlaa Louise Brady, Lily Wooshkindein Da.aat, and Rico Lanaat’ Worl.

Exhibit up through the month.

Celebrate 50 years of KTOO broadcasting, KTOO Public Media, 360 Egan Drive, 4 – 6 p.m.

Join KTOO in celebrating a half-century of broadcasting during First Friday. Tune in from 2 to 4 p.m. on KTOO 104.3 and 91.7 or online for a special two-hour edition of Juneau Afternoon, featuring guests from KTOO’s past and present and live music. Open house at the station starts at 4 p.m. Light refreshments, tour the studios, and see photos and items from KTOO’s 50-year history on display. More information at https://www.ktoo.org/2024/04/29/celebrate-50-years-of-ktoo-broadcasting-on-first-friday.

First Friday opening only.

Capital City Quilters: 2024 Quilt Show, 101 Egan Drive, Centennial Hall, noon-7 p.m.

Free, professionally juried quilt show. There will be live quilting demonstrations, special exhibit ”Today’s Quilts — an Alaskan Perspective,” vendor and gift sales, and a silent auction. Continues Saturday and Sunday.

Exhibit up through the weekend.

Juneau Arts & Humanities Council: “Juneau Wildlife Portraits — Paintings and Photographs,” 101 Egan Drive, The Davis Gallery in Centennial Hall, 4-7 p.m.

Exhibit by Susan Watson and Christopher Grau includes nine of Susan’s acrylic paintings of Juneau wildlife (from Chris’s photographs), and 12 of Chris’s photographs of Juneau wildlife. The paintings are all 10×8”, the photographs are all 13×19”.

Exhibit up through the month.

Juneau Douglas City Museum: “Yéil Koowú Átx’i Khaa Sháade Nákhx’i Yán Sákw Jeeyís: Ravenstail Regalia for Future Leaders,” 114 W. 4th St., 4-7 p.m.

Ravenstail weaving known in Tlingit language as Yéil Koowú originates on the Northwest Coast of Alaska and Canada. The oldest known robe dates back to the 1700’s. Historic pieces have been preserved in museums across the world. This artform fell out of practice for 100 years until researcher Cheryl Samuel “woke” it up. It has largely been carried by Cheryl and one of her students, Kay Parker, who have both taught with historical pattern integrity intact. For this exhibition, weaver and Artist Lily Hope led a cohort of weavers to create child size robes with the intent that every student is training toward creating adult size ceremonial Yéil Koowú regalia. On display through Oct. 19.

Exhibit up through the month.

Marie Drake Planetarium: Open House, 1415 Glacier Ave., 5:30-7 p.m.

Explore the universe with our new digital projector and share some short full-dome movies on 30-foot dome. Suitable for all ages. No sign up needed.

First Friday opening only.

Sealaska Heritage Institute: SHI First Friday Mini-Market, metal artist Rudy Isturis, Arts Campus open, and student exhibit “Cameras Speak,” 105 Heritage Way, 4:30-7 p.m.

Walter Soboleff Building will feature mini-market and metal artist Rudy Isturis, who will showcase chasing and repoussé techniques. The Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus will feature wood artists and metal artists, and a “Camera Speak” student exhibit. “Cameras Speak” brings digital cameras and professional photographers to teach techniques to students in grades 6-12.

First Friday opening only.

Annie Kaill’s Gallery: Louise Kuntz-Tadda, ceramicist and Moondance Alaska by Colleen Goldrich, jeweler, 124 Seward St., 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Show with ceramicist Louise Kuntz-Tadda and jeweler Colleen Goldrich of Moondance Alaska.

First Friday opening only.

Willow + Luna: Alaskan Me- Made Line, 117 Seward St., 4-7 p.m.

Alaskan Mermaid Linx will be in the shop offering custom fitted jewelry that can be permanent or put together with a clap.

First Friday opening only.

Barnaby Brewing Company: Lanie McCarry, 165 Shattuck Way, 3-8 p.m.

Lanie’s art show this month focuses on creativity and her love of mountainscapes.

Exhibit up through the month.

Rainforest Yoga: Pam Garcia, Yoga Teacher, 171 Shattuck Way, 5-6 p.m.

Spring-themed poses like lotus, butterfly, sunflower, sunbird, boat…

First Friday opening only.

Rainbow Foods: New oil paintings by Page Bridges, 4th and Gold streets, 4:30-7 p.m.

Year two anniversary show on the peach wall above the baked goods. The new paintings are for sale. About 70 painting from 35 years will be on display throughout store.

Exhibit up through the month.

Alaska Robotics Gallery: Alec Dye, Illustrator, 134 N. Franklin St., 4-7 p.m.

Dye’s latest series “Crab” is an expressive and stylized exploration of Alaska’s favorite crustaceans through ink and watercolor.

Exhibit up through the month.

Spice Cafe & Art Gallery: Featuring artists Crystal Jackson, Hollis Kitchin, Christine Kleinhenz, 116 N. Franklin St., 4-10 p.m.

Artists featured in the gallery, with live music by the Gypsy Jazz Quartet featuring local musicians John Unzicker, Ben Higdon, Ceann Murphy and Bob Banghart.

Exhibit up through the month.

Devil’s Club Brewing: Jacqui Tingey, 100 N. Franklin St., 4:30-8 p.m.

Jacqui Tingey is a self.taught artist based in Juneau, where she gathers inspiration and explores with her husband and daughters. Her newest body of work focuses on the seascapes and ocean life featured in Southeast Alaska. These pieces are based on personal photos and memories of summer days spent on islands, rocky beaches, and fishing on the boat.

Exhibit up through the month.

Aunt Claudia’s Dolls, A Museum: Soft re-opening, 114 S. Franklin St., Triangle Building, 4:30-7 p.m.

“Long time, no see” new displays for the Northern Indigenous Collection. Artist’s studio with new conservation area and display/mount work space. Portrait doll carver Mary Ellen Frank docents the newly conserved works housed in renovated displays.

Exhibit up through the month.

Kindred Post: Kelsey Riker and Taylor Vidic, 145 S. Franklin St., 4:30-7 p.m.

Taylor Dallas Vidic and Kelsey Bryce Riker, known collectively as “Roommates,” perform original tunes and covers. By day, Vidic lends their expertise to the arts scene as an esteemed organizer within the Juneau community, while Riker is recognized as the astute manager of Kindred Post. Mail services are not available during special events.

First Friday opening only.

Harbor Tea & Spice: Ice Cave Blue Tea & Other in house blends, 175 S. Franklin St., Ste. 105, Senate Building, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Tasting of in-house blend paired with ginger cookies.

First Friday opening only.

Juneau Artists Gallery: Mallory Reid, Photographer, 175 S. Franklin St., Ste. 111, Senate Building, 4:30-7 p.m.

Mallory Reid is May’s featured artist at the Juneau Artists Gallery. Reid joined the gallery last spring, developing a love of nature and photography while she was growing up in the mountains of Montana. She turned her passion of taking photographs into a business venture. First with family photography, which later expanded into landscapes and wildlife after she moved to Juneau in 2018. Mallory has developed a particular fondness for the Alaska Coastal Brown Bear.

Exhibit up through the month.

Caribou Crossings: Karla Moreira, wildlife watercolor mixed media painter, 387 S. Franklin St., 4-8 p.m.

In honor of kicking off the 26th year at Caribou Crossings, showcases are being featured from two popular artists, Karla Morreira and Lisa McCormick, who have been involved since the beginning. Karla will be coming down from Chugiak wildlife watercolors to launch new releases, sign prints and framed work, and share stories and inspirations. Lisa is sending her entire winter’s work — just in time for Mother’s Day. Also featuring works from more than 60 Alaska artists.

Exhibit up through the month.

Nostalgia meets new: Photography shop makes its new home on Route 66

Nostalgia meets new: Photography shop makes its new home on Route 66

Stepping into Apertures’ new location on 11th Street is nostalgia for the senses, from the familiar smell of photography chemicals to the midcentury design of its storefront located on historic Route 66. Since opening in 1990, this is the third move for the locally owned photography shop. 

“This is where we are supposed to be,” says Mary Beth Leach, part owner of Apertures. “It just feels right, as both (Apertures and Route 66) represent a vintage era.”

Apertures was founded by Leach’s aunt right before digital photography changed the industry forever. Leach started working at the store when she was a teenager. 

“We mainly developed film and printed pictures when we first opened,” Leach says. “While we are still one of the only local labs to still work with film, we have also embraced the times and technology advances of photography, which has allowed us to remain in business for over three decades.” 

Apertures’ offerings include a photography studio, a darkroom available for rent, large format archival printing, new and used camera accessories and equipment, and now one of its most popular offerings — classes open to the public. 

“We offer classes covering all things photography, from how to take digital photos and use Adobe Photoshop to darkroom film developing and lighting techniques.” 

The digital photography class is by far the most requested, according to Leach. 

“Digital cameras are not exactly intuitive, and this class allows people to ask questions and get hands-on instructions, which is the best way to improve your photography skills.” 

Classes are offered throughout the year, and the schedule can be found on the shop’s website. 

Photographers can drop off color and black and white film for the Apertures staff to develop. They average about 100 rolls per week, Leach says, with development typically happening Tuesdays and Thursdays. Digital scans of prints and film also are available.

Shop Favorites

Pre-owned lenses and cameras, $100-$600. 

Mug, $10.

Film, $7-$20.

Photographs from 80s Hong Kong paired with post-punk band at M+ museum

Photographs from 80s Hong Kong paired with post-punk band at M+ museum
Girard, who will give opening remarks at the May 11 show, first visited Hong Kong in 1974 as a 19-year-old. He was instantly “hooked” on the “mesmerising city”, he told the Post in a 2017 interview and, after roaming the region, and making regular visits to the city, he settled in Hong Kong in 1982.
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A Hong Kong cafe scene captured by Canadian photographer Greg Girard’ and featured in his M+ show. Photo: M+/Greg Girard
He documented many film sets in the 1980s, a glamorous era of Hong Kong cinema. Outside of film production, he is known as the creator of one of the rarer photographic collections depicting Hong Kong’s transformation over the decades.

The M+ curatorial team has “always been fascinated by the cinematic quality of Girard’s photography”, says assistant curator Savannah Shiu.

“Each of his photographs testifies of a particular interest in time. By capturing the decisive moment of a found situation or staged scene, he invites viewers to imagine what could have happened before and after.”

Shiu says that “bringing these scenes to life in a sequence, in combination with sound and film extracts”, aligned with the vision of both Girard and the museum’s curatorial team.

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Wong Kar-wai and cinematographer Christopher Doyle sit on a ledge in Central in 1990s Hong Kong in an image captured by Canadian photographer Greg Girard. Photo: M+/Greg Girard

Girard, 69, now lives in Vancouver, the city of his birth, but maintains a strong bond with the city that “made” him an esteemed photographer.

“Hong Kong Made Me” also features a performance by experimental post-punk band Gong Gong Gong, which was formed in Beijing in 2015 by Hong Kong-born vocalist-bassist Tom Ng and Montreal-born guitarist Joshua Frank.

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An action scene from a Hong Kong film shoot captured by Vancouver-born photographer Greg Girard. Photo: Photo: M+/Greg Girard

Drawing inspiration from African blues and techno to create eclectic sounds with Cantonese lyrics, the duo – who performed at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap music festival in December 2023 – have a loyal following among the city’s indie music fans.

“It was Girard’s suggestion [to pick the band],” Shiu says. “We liked the idea due to Gong Gong Gong’s own strong engagement with the city and experimental take on post-punk music that is evocative of Hong Kong cinema, as if they were telling a story with secret agents, action and car-chasing scenes.”

Shiu adds that the photographer and the band have been working in close collaboration on the project, and that it will be an exceptional sensory experience for those who enjoy old Hong Kong vibes and alternative music.

“Greg Girard: Hong Kong Made Me” May 11, 4pm. Grand Staircase, M+ Museum, 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Cultural District. Standard tickets HK$120, available on mplus.org.hk.