Homer Alaska - Arts

Singer Mariah Ver Hoef sings at a concert following the closing reception for 350 Earth, an exhibit at Bunnell Street Arts Center. The potluck reception is 6 p.m. Wednesday followed by the concert at 7:30 p.m. A Fairbanks singer, Ver Hoef, 16, has released her third sold album, "Space Between Two Worlds." Tickets to Ver Hoef's concert are $15 general, $12 Bunnell members and $8 youth to age 18. The reception also is the last chance to purchase art from the 350 Earth show.

Alaska Design Forum sponsors challenge

In conjunction with the upcoming Common Space symposium, the Alaska Design Forum has issued a call for entries in its Statewide Design Challenge. "What would you do if you could play in, change, occupy, affect, improve or adorn a public space? How would you engage our community to make common space uncommon?" the forum asks. Individuals or teams can submit ideas in a variety of ways, including photographs, videos and websites. The first deadline to enter is March 1, when pre-registration is due. Completed entries are due March 30.

Winners in three categories receive a cash prize of $500 each. The categories are professional (artists and architects), kids (up to age 17) and general public. The entry fee is $10 by March 1 and $20 by March 30. Winners present their ideas at the Common Space symposium, held April 8-9 at the Anchorage Museum.

As part of the Common Space project, visiting artists, architects and designers participate in the symposium and then visit Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Nome and Homer April 10-16 to discuss ideas for Design Labs projects. Visiting Homer is Hasan Elahi, an interdisciplinary artist from Washington, D.C., who explores how humans interact with databases and other forms of information.

For information on entering and the Common Space project, visit www.commonspace-ak.org.

Young Alaska Artist Award competition open

The Anchorage Festival of Music announces its 13th annual Young Alaska Artist Award competition. The award provides a solo, professional, debut recital in Anchorage and award money to a young, aspiring classical musician pursuing a music performance degree in college. Any Alaskan pursuing a college degree or program in music performance at an accredited institution is eligible. Applicants must be at least college freshmen to apply. To enter, submit two letters of recommendation, a completed application form, a minimum of a 30-minute recording and the $25 application fee. Applications must be postmarked no later than May 16. The award winner will perform a full solo recital in Anchorage in the second half of August. Proceeds from ticket sales will be given to the winner as award money. For applications and details, contact Anchorage Festival of Music at www.festivalmusic.org; P.O. Box 100272 Anchorage, AK 99510; (907) 276-2465, or e-mail Juliana Osinchuk at dawsinchuk@aol.com.

Halibut Cove artist to show at Anchorage Museum

Halibut Cove artist is one of eight Alaska artists chosen for the Patricia B. Wolf Solo Exhibition Series at the Anchorage Museum in 2012 to 2015. A highly competitive program, the eight artists were chosen from a pool of 70 applicants. Bellamy works in ceramics and focuses on large-scale installations. She has shown locally at Bunnell Street Arts Center and had a solo exhibit at the Alaska State Museum, Juneau. Bellamy also received a Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist award in 2006.

Plate painting project starts

Bunnell Street Arts Center's annual membership drive, the Plate Project, is underway. Dozens of plates created by local potters Ahna Iredale, Paul Dungan, Ruby Haigh, Lisa Wood, Lynn Naden and Marie Herdegen await painters to transform into collectables that will be sold as membership premiums. Pick up a blank plate to embellish by April 1. For more information call 235-2662.