January First Friday features ‘Winter Blues,’ Art Swap keep Friday interesting </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 5:59 PM on Wednesday, January 3, 2007

January First Friday features ‘Winter Blues,’ Art Swap keep Friday interesting

Some galleries close this month, but many exhibits will keep Friday interesting

BY MICHAEL ARMSTRONG
STAFF WRITER

With winter officially upon us, January is the time when many artists and gallery owners head south for warmer climates or to take time off to recharge their creative energies. Some galleries remain open, but do not hold First Friday openings. Even though some might be lying low, there are still plenty of art openings to get art lovers through the coldest month.

Photo provided
Anchorage artist Julie Decker's "Crow, Flattered" is one of the works in her solo show at Bunnell Street Gallery.

Art Shop Gallery

First Friday openings are on hiatus until April, but the Art Shop Gallery has plenty of new work on display, including pieces from MooseRun Metalsmiths and Libby Berezin.

Bunnell Street Gallery

Julie Decker, an artist and mover-and-shaker in the happening Anchorage art scene, presents her paintings and an artist’s talk from 6-8 p.m. at Bunnell Street Gallery.

Fireweed Gallery

The annual Art Swap and Sale returns to Fireweed Gallery from Jan. 1-12. Artists and art lovers can sell or swap art work or art supplies and equipment. A reception is 5-7 p.m. Friday. The gallery closes Jan. 16-Feb. 16.

Homer Council on the Arts

There is no January exhibit as the arts council prepares for the annual Emerging Artist show in February. The gallery is closed for January, but HCOA offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Ptarmigan Arts Back Room Gallery

The theme is “blue” for Ptarmigan’s second annual “Winter Blues” show — “Winter Blues Too.” Artists were invited to submit works using the color or the mood or emotion blue.

The exhibit features works by 20 Alaska artists, including eight who exhibit at the gallery. A reception is 5-7 p.m. Friday. The show runs through Feb. 28.

Ring of Fire Meadery

“Abstruse,” new work by photographer Karen Roush and painter Peg Belcastro, remains on exhibit through January. A reception is 5-7 p.m. Friday.

Old Inlet Book Store, Mermaid Café

G. Brad Lewis’ “A Visual Journey Through the Land of Creation: Photo Images of Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii” opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday.

His photographs of volcanoes have appeared in Life, Geo and Natural History magazines.

Pratt Museum

The museum is closed through January.

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