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Nineteen members of the newly formed Cultural Trust Leadership Committee met all day Friday, March 12, at the Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, led by facilitator Alice Galvin, Manager of Leadership and Organizational Development with BP Exploration, to brainstorm formulating an action plan.  The morning began by dividing the group into four units who took turns listing ideas on four flip charts with specific subjects; Strengths, Problems, Threats, and Opportunities.   The afternoon we summarized these ideas and condensed them into action items.

Three committees were created and tasked to find answers and present them at the next meeting sometime in the fall.  Eleven states have existing Cultural Trusts, we plan to secure information from these states, compare their success/weakness and see if we can find a model to follow.  In the above photo, artist Kes Woodward and Shell Oil consultant Mickey Becker, discuss organizational issues.  It is a privilege and an honor to serve on this exciting and innovate team.  The task force is sponsored by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, and funded by a grant from WESTAF (Western States Art Federation).

Gail Niebrugge, Vice Chair Alaska State Council on the Arts

Wonderful local theater, Valley Performing Art Center in Wasilla, Alaska, has been producing quality productions for more than thirty years.  We had the pleasure of attending the final performance Sunday of “Inherit the Wind” an entertaining event directed by Elizabeth Hanson and Marcia Beck.  If you didn’t get a chance to see it, you missed out.  It was excellent, with a talented cast!  Congratulations Marcia and Elizabeth!!

Don’t miss the next production, “The Drunkard” directed by Julie McCartney, beginning March 26 through April 11.  Get your tickets now!  Prices are reasonable, it is good entertainment and an excellent way to support local arts.

Gail Niebrugge, Board Development Committee Valley Performing Arts

We had dock side seats for the recent golf tournament held on our lake.  This golfer used a sand wedge in the snow trap to get to the #2 green (white?), another player scored big by driving the ball into our neighbors ice hockey goal net.

These hearty golfers teed up on the #3 tee a few feet from our dock, all the players used their vehicles as carts some neatly skidding in a circle while coming to a stop.  Just another day of fun in Alaska!

Gail Niebrugge, landscape painter

Two hard working volunteers on the Mat-Su College Fine Arts Advisory Council, Sharon Allen and Janice Strong, confer on auction items during the first annual “Tie the Knot Community and College” fundraiser held at the Palmer Depot last Friday night February 12, 2010.  The proceeds of the auction will be used to support the first Artisan Festival on campus for the community and the college planned for 2011 with the goal of making this annual event for artists throughout the state.  The evening was sparked by the humor and energy of the auctioneer, radio station owner John Klapperich, and capped by the generous contributions of featured artist Shane Lamb.  This is a very worthy cause and important to the cultural growth of the Matanuska Valley.  Next year, I (your humble blog writer artist) have the honor of serving as featured artist at the second annual auction.  Plan now to attend, and start saving your money to bid high on my donation

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape painter

Lots of really good stuff going on with the Palmer Arts Council this month.  Be sure to check out the Poetry Anthology.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

Valley Performing Arts, Wasilla, Alaska

Marketing Director Position Available

Join a progressive team of individuals dedicated to advancing the cultural and intellectual spirit of the community! Valley Performing Arts is looking for a motivated, energized, and creative individual to become its marketing director. Responsibilities include organizing and overseeing all aspects of publicity and promotion regarding the theatre productions, community programs, and special events including print, broadcast, and digital media. The marketing director is a key player in VPA’s program to maintain the relationship with existing theatre patrons and sponsors as well as continued outreach to new vendors and prospective theatre clients. Prospective applicants will have at least three years experience in a marketing and/or promotional position with a demonstrated ability of having managed successful marketing efforts including meeting targets and progressive growth. An undergraduate degree in marketing or business is preferred; years of experience will be considered. An outgoing, friendly personality and the ability to work cooperatively with volunteers is a must. Familiarity with the Mat-Su business community is a plus and knowledge of the theatre environment would be helpful. Professional references will be required. Further information about VPA may be found at www.valleyperformingarts.org You may submit your information electronically to vpa@mtaonline.net, via fax to (907) 373-0160, or by mail to:
Valley Performing Arts
Attention: Human Resources
251 West Swanson
Wasilla, Alaska 99654

BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com

Gail Niebrugge, Board Development Committee, Valley Performing Arts

Valley Performing Arts, Wasilla, Alaska

AUDITION NOTICE The Drunkard

A 19th century melodrama… by Barry Manilow?!
Based on “the world-famous melodrama by W.H.S. Smith,” Bro Herrod and the king of 1970s pop take us back to a simpler, infinitely less subtle day in this deliciously coy and exaggerated play about the good, the bad, and the besotted. When Sweet Mary Wilson weds the virtuous Edward, the villainous lawyer Cribbs, determined to foreclose on the quaint little cottage Mary shares with her poor widowed mother, sees to it that the devil’s beverage-alcohol-is served. Alas and alack! Edward is lured to the city and ensnared in a web of sin and drunkenness! Can Mary and her innocent young child save her inebriated husband from the evils of the bottle? And what of the diabolical Cribbs?

Jan 9, 2010 10 am – 12 pm at VPA
Jan. 10, 2010 2 pm – 5 pm at VPA

Questions????? Call Julie McCartney @ 841-1188 email theteardrop@yahoo.com or visit our website www.valleyperformingarts.org

Gail Niebrugge, Board Development Committee, Valley Performing Arts

As 2010 rolls in we wish all of you the very best in the new year!  I am anxious to get started painting again, winter subjects, things I’ve been watching and recording for the last few months are dancing in my head and itching to be painted.  We have good intentions to resolve a lot of miscellaneous business stuff that has been accumulating, we’ve made a lot of resolutions.  Time will tell if we keep them.  The hardest part of the new year will be remembering to write 2010 instead of 2009.

May the new year bring prosperity, happiness, and blessings to all of you.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

We drove home from our Thanksgiving at Girdwood, to Palmer, Alaska, on black Friday in a blizzard. Above is the view from the window of our room at the Alyeska Prince Hotel before we began our drive. The drive was fine as long we kept our speed around 40mph, the defrost on high, and the wipers on warp speed our 4-wheel drive SUV with studded tires navigated the un-plowed roads fairly well.

This is the scene at our studio/residence when we returned. I love new fallen snow, even though it makes driving a hazard, the landscape is stunning.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape artist

Thanksgiving was beautiful, fresh snow at the Girdwood ski resort, and turkey with all the fixings at my daughter’s condo. We enjoyed our time with the grandchildren.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Last Tuesdays conference, at the downtown Anchorage Marriott Hotel, about Designing Alaska’s Cultural Future was well attended. Participants included James Pepper Henry the Director of the Anchorage Museum, Jason Hodges the Executive Director of the Anchorage Concert Association, Nancy DeCherney the Executive Director of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, Les Morse the Deputy Commissioner of the State of Alaska Commission on Education and Early Development, Tom Quass the Executive Director of the Kodiak Arts Council, Kris Tucker the Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission, Kesler Woodward a Professor Emeritus for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Anthony Radich the Executive Director of the Western States Arts Federation, and many more too numerous to list. A heady group indeed, with excellent ideas and input.

An outstanding presentation was given by Doug McLennan, the editor of ArtsJournal.com on the topic of “A Strategy for Culture in the Age of Infinite Choice”. He caused all of us to probe and examine new ways to dispense information in today’s fast paced marketplace.

Gail Niebrugge, Vice Chair Alaska State Council on the Arts

Tuesday I had the pleasure of attending a planning session at the downtown Anchorage Marriott Hotel, sponsored by the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Western States Arts Federation where we explored the concept of building a coalition to develop a sustainable model of support for Alaska arts and culture. It is a heady subject and the attendees were straight out of the Who’s Who in Alaska art and culture. The above photo shows me on the right and pictured on the left is the Executive Director of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, Charlotte Fox, standing in the middle is the Senator from Wasilla from the Alaska State Legislature, Linda Menard.

Chris D’Arcy, the Executive Director of the Oregon Arts Commission and past Director of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, gave an outstanding presentation of the creation and development of the Oregon Cultural Trust, a model that this group is considering to modify to fit the needs of Alaska. Discussions were lively and probing. Keep posted for continued developments on this concept.

Gail Niebrugge, Vice Chair Alaska State Council on the Arts

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the opening of a lovely invitational art show “Art for the Young at Heart” at the Primrose Retirement Community, Wasilla, Alaska. In the above photo my friend, Don Benson, enjoyed the show and the goodies on the reception table loaded with fabulous food. Jessica McGill Berberich, the marketing manager, knows how to stage a first-class event. The show will hang for the rest of the month, stop by and enjoy. Thanks Jessica!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

At the beautiful Anchorage International Airport we welcomed home our son, photographer Ron Niebrugge, and his wife Janine after their extensive photography trip that included; the Rocky Mountain National Park; Moab, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; and the southern California desert. They look oddly tan next to lily white Alaskans, and were a little chilly in their light-weight jackets when they stepped off the airplane in the near zero temperatures of Anchorage. We are happy to have them home, even though they live several hours away in Seward, Alaska, we know we can see each other whenever we want. Ron’s latest photos are gorgeous!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

We are taking orders for “Wing Dancing”, the new canvas giclee prints will be ready in a month. The options are as follows; Large size 39″x49″ with a 1.5″ mirror wrap on the sides $1,950.00. Medium size 28″x35″ with a 1″ mirror wrap on the sides $780.00. Small size 16″x20″ with a 1″ mirror wrap on the sides $375.00. Available now is a mini giclee art print on acid free paper 6″x8″ priced for gift giving at $30.00. Reserve yours now, call (907)746-3256 or on our web site at www.niebruggestudio.com.

New, ready for our next show “Make it Alaskan” at the Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, October 2-4, a mini giclee print “Northern Lights” image 6″x8″ perfect for gift giving at $30.00. Call Niebrugge Studio (907)746-3256, or check out the website www.niebruggestudio.com

The trusty old truck and camper are packed and ready to roll for my Artist-in-Residence at Denali National Park. I packed for 10 days; food, water and extra gas in 5 gallon cans. We are bringing our bicycles to provide another mode of transportation from the Murie cabin where we will be based. I’m not sure if I will be able to connect to the internet during my stay, I’ve packed the laptop and hope I can publish a blog or two and check email at the Toklat Ranger Station where we have access to showers.

The residency includes use of the historic John Murie cabin outfitted for wilderness comfort with a propane refrigerator and stove, but has no electricity or running water. This should be a great adventure. I’m planning to do a lots of photography, miles of hiking and biking, and will keep the sketch book handy at all times. My daily journal is important for notes and observations. Included in my supplies are tools for pen and ink sketching, I’m planning to produce drawings in ink directly on location, weather permitting. Painting on location is not something I normally practice, but I may try some quick studies using my tiny back packer watercolor set.

We are expecting frequent encounters with wildlife as this location is known for grizzly bear, caribou, sheep, fox, wolves, and other small critters. Binoculars are a must.

If I am unable to obtain internet connections I will save my blog posts and publish them when we return.

Gail Niebrugge, Denali artist-in-residence

It is hard to find a comfortable place to work or play with the outdoor daytime temperatures in the high 70’s and the air filled with thick smoke from wildfires.  I keep the house/studio closed with windows and doors shut and it becomes suffocating, open them and the rooms fill with harsh, smoky air.  This will be our weather as long as the high pressure stays.  Only seven of the more than sixty wildfires are being fought the others will eventually burn out, so the smoke will be around for awhile.  Such are the woes of a warm summer in Alaska.

Gail Niebrugge, landscape artist

Your humble volunteer Art Council met for two days last weekend in Anchorage.  Members pictured above from left to right front row, Peggy MacDonald Ferguson, Managing Director Fairbanks Drama Association, Theresa Arevgaq John, Asst. Professor AK Native and Rural Development, Fairbanks.  Top row left to right; Sven Haakanson Jr., Executive Director Alutiiq Museum and Archeological Repository, Kodiak, Benjamin Brown council President, Attorney-at-Law Baxter Bruce & Sullivan P.C., Juneau, Aryne Randall, Branch Manager Wells Fargo, Wasilla, me, Vice-Chair visual artist, Palmer, Patricia “Jinx” Whitaker, Owner New Horizons Gallery, Fairbanks, John Kohler, President Rural AK Insurance Agency, Fairbanks.

A pressing issue at the moment is nominations for the 2009 Governor’s Awards, we are seeking nominations for consideration to be submitted under four catagories; Arts Advocacy, Individual Artist, Business Leadership and the Margaret Nick Cooke Award for Native Arts and Languages.  Nomination forms and more information are available on the Council’s website .  The date for submissions has been extended until the end of June.  Eligibility is open to any individual, organization or institution that has made a significant contribution to the arts in Alaska, with the exception of current ASCA Council members, staff or prior Award recipients. Deadline for nominations is June 30, 2009.

Thanks,

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska painter

I have two events at the same time this Friday, June 5, 2009.  The Gallery is giving me a show during the Palmer Art Walk from 3-7 pm and is featuring most of my new prints and several originals.  Bob will be present at The Gallery to answer questions, while I am attending the annual face to face meeting of the Board of Directors for the Alaska State Council on the Arts in Anchorage.  Sometimes my calendar gets clogged and this is one of those months.

June 17th I will be at the grand opening of the Primrose Retirement Community, Wasilla, with my prints, and June 20th I will be at the Art Shop Gallery, Homer, Alaska.  I’m looking forward to seeing friends and collectors at these events.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska art