Since 1975, Homer Council on the Arts has been offering performances, exhibits and arts education for community members of all ages and abilities. Serving the community by creating space and opportunities for people and innovative ideas, here are a few of HCOA-hosted events and activities community members can look forward to in the coming months. Find more information, including registration, ticket details and fees, online at homerart.org.
Community art sessions
Community Jam Sessions in the Gallery: Facilitated by Cathy Stingley, Community Jam Sessions are free and open to all instruments and abilities. Community members are invited to bring their instrument and music. Sessions will explore a range of genres based on attendee’s interest. Light refreshments available. Year round, Thursdays, 6:30-9 p.m. in the HCOA gallery.
Coffee & Craft: An open studio encouraging experimentation, exploration, collaboration and camaraderie among the Homer artistic community. Are you an artist who collects art supplies? Would you be interested in sharing those supplies while exploring your creativity with others? Maybe you’re interested in exploring new mediums and materials? HCOA invites you to bring a project or some supplies to their Coffee and Craft Open Studio. This inclusive event provides the space and tools to create, for people of all ages and abilities, free of charge. By bringing this event to the public, HCOA hopes people are encouraged to experiment and explore new mediums. An optional, suggested donation of $5 is encouraged, with donations supplying snacks and supplies based on attendee interest. These sessions take place on the third Sunday of the month, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., downstairs in the HCOA studio. The next Coffee and Craft gatherings are Sunday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Feb. 15. For more information, visit homerart.org.
Upcoming art classes
Registration is now open for winter session ceramics. HCOA offers a range of ceramics classes for all ages, including youth, homeschool students and adults. For a full list of session dates and prices, visit homerart.org.
Eggshell Mosaics: Join Homer artist Cindy Nelson and learn how to create mosaics using eggshells. Nelson’s creative spin on the Rankaku technique of eggshell mosaics uses chicken eggs rather than quail eggs because they are more readily available. Participants will learn to create their own 4-by-4-inch or 5-by-5-inch design before constructing their mosaics on a flat painted board. All materials will be provided. Open to ages 14 and up. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2:30-5:30 p.m. in the HCOA studio. Registration and more information at homerart.org.
Chinese Brush Painting Roses: Homer artist Sharlene Cline teaches this Chinese Brush Painting workshop where participants will use traditional techniques of brush loading, color mixing and careful brush strokes to create roses. All skill levels are welcome, and all materials will be provided. Friday, Feb. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the HCOA studio. Registration and more information at homerart.org.
Chinese Brush Painting Iris: A Chinese Brush Painting workshop with Homer artist Sharlene Cline. Participants will use traditional techniques of brush loading, color mixing and careful brush strokes to create an iris. All skill levels are welcome, and all materials will be provided. Friday, March 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the HCOA studio. Registration and more information at homerart.org.
Chinese Brush Painting Landscapes: A Chinese Brush Painting workshop with Homer artist Sharlene Cline. Participants will use traditional techniques of brush loading, color mixing and careful brush strokes to create landscapes. All skill levels are welcome, and all materials will be provided. Friday, April 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the HCOA studio. Registration and more information at homerart.org.
HCOA presents Winter Performance Series
Homer Rising: A Creative Community Collaboration: This one-of-a-kind performance bridges performance and visual arts into one show, featuring collaborations between Homer musicians, dancers, circus artists and live visual arts. Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m. in the Mariner Theatre. Tickets at homerart.org.
Gypsy Jazz Duets: Django Under Paris Skies with Tim Kliphuis and Jimmy Grant: Drawing inspiration from Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, current-day classical music and folk music, Kliphuis and Grant alternate moments of dazzling interplay with melancholy and sheer exhilaration in an inspired, conversational journey. Sunday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. in the HCOA Gallery. Tickets at homerart.org.
Bon Débarras unites the worlds of music, dance and poetry through a collaboration between Montreal artists Dominic Desrochers, Jean-François Dumas and Véronique Plasse. Over the years, Bon Débarras moved boldly into an entirely original repertoire steeped in poetry and rhythmic sounds, with unambiguous Quebec flavors. On guitar, banjo, violin and harmonica, the group carries an identity, a style and an energy-filled zest for life quite unique and beautifully served by the versatility of the musicians as well as their daring jigging and vivid body percussion. Bon Débarras’ energy taps into the rhythms of today and ventures boldly on the multi-faceted road to tomorrow’s dreams, in an atmosphere that transcends boundaries and ages. Saturday, March 14, 7 p.m. at the Mariner Theatre. Tickets at homerart.org.
2026 Jubilee! Youth Performing Arts Show: Homer Council on the Arts presents the 2026 Jubilee Performing Arts Showcase, featuring Homer area youth ages 12-18 and directed by Kjirsten Swanson. Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m. in the Homer High School Mariner Theater. Tickets at homerart.org. All proceeds support the Ron Senungetuk Summer Youth Scholarship Fund.
Are you a Homer youth or a parent or teacher with a student or child ages 12-18 interested in auditioning to be a part of the 2026 Jubilee! performance? HCOA welcomes all Homer area youth to be a part of this show. Find the Jubilee! audition form at homerart.org, with details about the audition process, dress rehearsal and show on the first page. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28.
Call for youth art
The Annual Jubilee Youth Gallery Exhibit: Every April, the HCOA gallery showcases youth artists, featuring pre-K to grade 12 student artwork from Homer-area youth. This colorful and dynamic annual exhibit highlights art in a variety of mediums, from traditional 2D art forms to ceramics, piano performances and more. All submissions should include title of work; medium/materials; artist’s name; artist’s grade level or class; artist’s school. If you are an instructor/teacher, you can upload a document with the names of your students and their work through the submission portal or email HCOA at hcoa@homerart.org. All submissions are due to the HCOA office by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23. For more information, visit homerart.org.
Call for member art
HCOA’s Annual Members Show: HCOA invites all active members to submit artwork to their 2026 Members Show. This call for art is open to all mediums, all sizes (please call if your work is over 4-feet-by-4-feet), to any work made in the last two years that has not been previously shown in Homer. Work will be on display in the HCOA gallery during the month of February. Each artist may submit up to three works, with at least one up for sale (all submissions will be included, space permitting). HCOA member commission rate is 35% to HCOA and 65% to Artist. Membership is required to be active through the duration of the exhibition. New memberships welcome — an HCOA Artist Membership is $50 and lasts for one calendar year. Submissions are now open, and all works must be turned in to the HCOA office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31.
For more information, to register for or get tickets for any and all HCOA-presented events and activities, visit homerart.org, where you can also sign up for their newsletter. You can also email hcoa@homerart.org, call 907-235-4288, or stop by in person at 355 W. Pioneer Avenue during open hours, Monday to Saturday, 1-5 p.m.
Homer Council on the Arts’ next Coffee and Craft event takes place on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
Winter session ceramics classes are ongoing at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
Youth performers in Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Jubilee show are photographed by Christopher Kincaid in 2025. The 2026 Jubilee Youth Performing Arts showcase will take place on Saturday, April 11, at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
Local artist Sharlene Cline will host a Chinese brush painting workshop, “Roses,” on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
Local artist Cindy Nelson will teach a class on making eggshell mosaics on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
