Introducing Bayla Laks

Our VISTA Volunteer, Bayla, teaching an art class

Some of you may already know our fantastic VISTA volunteer, Bayla. For those of you who don’t, we wanted to take some time to introduce you to her. Bayla received her BFA from The Hartford Art School in Connecticut with a major in Illustration and a minor in Art History. In addition to her studies in Hartford, Bayla has studied in Italy, Mexico, and at the Camberwell College of Arts at the University of Arts London. Bayla also has extensive experience working with students of all ages teaching classes such as painting, drawing, printmaking, and bookbinding. Bayla’s artwork has been displayed in numerous galleries and exhibits, and has been featured on the covers of music albums and films. To see more of her stunning artwork you can visit her website here.

See more at http://www.baylaart.com

Bayla joined us at the Fine Arts Camp in August as our VISTA volunteer and has been working hard to coordinate and expand our Yaw After School Art program. In addition to her administrative work on the program, Bayla will be teaching a class for our second session called Watercolor Painting Sea Life & Specimen, which will take place at the Sitka Sound Science Center. We decided to ask Bayla a few questions about her early experiences with art and why she thinks it is so important for children to be exposed to the arts at an early age.

See more at http://www.baylaart.com

Q: How did you get started as an artist?

A: I first started drawing as a toddler, making illustrated books and stories that my parents would have to write the words in for me.

Q: What did you find inspiring about art when you were a kid?

A: As a kid I definitely loved painting and drawing, but mostly it was a way to occupy myself when I was having trouble sitting still. This was often, but also good practice. When I started being able to draw things the way I saw them in my head, I was inspired to keep working and keep getting better.

Q: Why did you pick the Science Center as a teaching location?

A: I picked the Science Center as a teaching location because when I first went inside, I was personally inspired to paint and draw the animals in the tanks, as well as the extensive collection of specimen. When I was designing my upcoming class for the After School Art Program, I thought to myself, “what better way to combine art and local environmental education?!” I wanted to teach a watercolor class and felt the Science Center would be an excellent theme to base the class structure around.

Q: What is your favorite part about working with kids?

A: When I was young I had many influential and inspiring artists teaching and guiding me. I am always still learning, but its nice to be able to pass on what I know and help guide beginning artists. My favorite part is always being surprised by the incredible work kids are capable of.

Q: What is your message to young people about art?

A: I believe successful art comes from practice. Talent is great, but at the end of the day, practice is what makes the difference, so keep working at it, no matter how good you get!

Q: Why did you choose illustration as your focus? 

A: I chose to study Illustration in school because I appreciated the narrative, story telling aspect, as well as the opportunity for collaboration with writers.

Q: Why is it so important for children to be exposed to art at an early age?

It is important for kids to be exposed to art from an early age because the creative process contributes to a child’s development. Art promotes communication skills, problem solving, self expression,self confidence, self discipline, stimulates the imagination, develops fine tuned motor skills, and much much more.

See more at http://www.baylaart.com

Sitka Fest Wrap-Up

Sitka Fest has been in full swing all summer and is now winding down. Over forty public events have passed in a blur of activity. Last week, when Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori toured campus, I described Sitka Fest as a remarkable collection of events created by a diverse range of campus partners. I pointed to various buildings to make my point. “The Sitka Summer Music Festival is there in Stevenson, Island Institute over by Yaw Chapel, Sitka Sound Science Center down in the Deco building, the octagon building there is the SJ museum, oldest building here, fine arts camp takes place all over…”  “It’s a Chautauqua,” she said. “Remember the 19^th century tradition of folks getting together to make shift tent revival meetings to hear concerts, study literature and sing together?” Exactly right. She got the spirit of our collective endeavor exactly right.

Sitka Summer Music Festival musicians play a special concert for Elementary Fine Arts Campers.

It is always a bittersweet to finish up a festival, like the end of a ten-week party! So let’s look at the humorous side of things. Below is a shorthand guide to Sitka Fest lingo, so when you come to campus, you’ll what everyone’s talking about:

Bach’s Lunch—a free Sitka Summer Music Festival lunchtime concert.

Art Shares—Free, nightly performances by faculty and students held during Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

JOWF (jou-f)—Jazz on the Waterfront, a benefit dinner and concert featuring a 20-piece big band.

SFAC (ess-FAK)–Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

ZB Bach—Code for “Zuill Bailey is giving an impromptu recital of Bach cello suites, get seats quick.”

Island Resiliency—The Island Institute’s annual gathering of writers.

Native Jazz—Concerts and worships celebrating the “native” in all of us.

Dee Daniels—the greatest jazz singer of her generation is HERE.

TEDx—Brief talks on “ideas worth spreading.” Google TEDxSitka.

The Fellows—An immensely talented group of Sitka Fellows, all under-30, in residence on campus for two months.

Work Crew—Interns that arrive in July to work on restoring the campus.

Seafood Fest—The biggest party of the summer, fish head toss anyone?

Paths—Paths Across the Pacific, scientists and scholars coming together to debate if and how humans migrated across the world’s oceans

Seussical—The musical performed by the Musical Theater Camp. Last year it was “Birdie.”

See you next year.

-Paul Cox, Director of Sitka Fest

Seussical the Musical!

The young artists of the second annual SFAC Musical Theater Camp present Seussical (the musical), at the Sitka Performing Arts Center, Friday, July 26 (7 pm) and Saturday, July 27, (2 pm and 7 pm). Twenty-eight performers representing ten Alaskan communities and five states come together to work intensively for two weeks with theater and music faculty led by director WT McRae. McRae, an artist-teacher from the New Victory Theater in New York City teaches classes in theater technique, vocal training and stage etiquette, in addition overseeing rehearsals of Seussical.

Musical Theater campers hard at work on their production of Seussical the Musical

Final performances are fully staged and include a pit orchestra led by Andrew Hames and a professional lighting and sound design created by Jonathan “J” Bradely and a technical crew made up of theater professionals and students. Admission for all evening performances: $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors; Matinée performances: $20 adults; $10 special prices for children and seniors. Free admission for kids under 5 at all performances. All ticket proceeds go toward supporting the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Tickets are available at Old Harbor Books and at the door.

Intended for adults and children alike, Seussical is based on a number of Dr. Seuss books, including The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who! Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!, If I Ran the Circus, andGetting to Solla Sollew, among others. Created by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), the show opened on Broadway in 2000. Making its Sitka debut, the fast paced, 90-minute show is narrated by “The Cat in the Hat,” who guides the audience through a tale of spiraling mischief, adventure, friendship and those surreal life lessons.

The Whos of Whoville call out to Horton for help

In the story, Horton, a loving elephant, discovers an entire world of Whos on a single speck of dust, including Jojo, a Who child, who has been sent off to military school for thinking “too many thinks.” Meanwhile, Mayzie La Bird, being a very irresponsible individual, leaves Horton to safeguard a lonely egg for an unpredictable amount of time. Throughout the story, Horton must protect his speck of dust, the egg and himself from dangers, poachers, distractions and cynics. He comes to rely on his gallant and dedicated friend, Miss Gertrude McFuzz. Through his adventures, Horton discovers the power of trust, friendship, faith and a strong community.

SITKA FEST KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR WITH TEDxSitka and JAZZ LEGEND DEE DANIELS: July 20-21

Sitka Fest presents two major public events during the long weekend of July 17 -21. On Saturday (July 20), the second annual TEDxSitka returns to the Odess Theater in Allen Hall from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Eleven speakers from throughout the U.S. come together for an afternoon of short, compelling talks on topics ranging from Tlingit armor construction to the cultural impact of digital technology. Then on Sunday (July 21) internationally-acclaimed jazz vocalist Dee Daniels along with vocalist Charenee Wade and the Native Jazz Trio present a concert at the Sitka Performing Arts Center at 7:00 pm. Tickets for both events are on sale at Old Harbor Books: TEDxSitka tickets are $25; Dee Daniels, $20; $15 senior/students.

TEDxSitka: Saturday, July 20, 1 pm – 6 pm.

TEDxSitka 2013 is inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This year’s speakers embody the spirit of Emerson’s trailblazer and include: Alaskan Native Artist Tommy Joseph; Camas Davis, founder of the Portland Meat Collective, Vietnamese-American author lê thi diem thúy, community organizer Ray Friedlander, clown and arts educator W.T. McRae, Steve Grody, author of Graffiti LA, guitarist/composer Benjamin Seretan, art critic Jarrett Moran, Harvard Design and Technology fellow Christian Ervin, carillonneur (ringer of church bells) and painter Julie Zhu and music historian Paul Cox. [Complete list of bios and talk titles attached to this document].

TEDxSitka takes place at the Odess Theater in Allen Hall at SJ. Doors open at 12:30 pm, talks begin at 1:00 pm. Each talk lasts less than 18 minutes. In addition, two TED talk videos will also be shown: Rita Pierson’s “Every Kid Needs a Champion” and Larry Lessig’s “We the People, and the Republic We Must Reclaim.” Snacks and beverages will be available during breaks. A wine and cheese reception follows at 6:00 pm. Sponsors include Allen Marine Tours, Evergreen Natural Foods, Larkspur Café and Old Harbor Books.

What is TED?

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Started as a four-day conference in California twenty-five years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for less than 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at http://www.TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. TEDx events are independently organized programs licensed by the TED organization. Videos from last year’s sold-out TEDxSitka event are available on the TED YouTube channel; collectively they have received over 8,000 views since last August.

Dee Daniels Jazz Concert: July 21, 7pm

On July 21^st at 7:00 pm, legendary jazz vocalist Dee Daniels performs at the Sitka Performing Arts Center with guest artist Charenee Wade and the Native Jazz Trio. Daniels’ four-octave range and ability to “sing gospel, jazz and blues comfortably and with great emotion” has established her as one of the great jazz artists of her generation. Daniels began singing gospel music in a church choir in Oakland, California and came of age performing R&B before moving to Europe to hone her jazz skills in the 1980s. She’s sung the blues with Sarah Vaughan and gospel with Joe Williams and has performed in concert with jazz greats Lionel Hampton, Toots Thielemans, Johnny Griffin and Ed Thigpen.

Arriving in Sitka straight from a show at New York’s famed Birdland Jazz Club, her concert features jazz standards and gospel classics, as well as original tunes. Joining her on stage will be the Native Jazz Trio (Christian Fabian, bass; Reuel Lubag, piano; and Edward Littlefield, drums), recently appointed Jazz Ambassadors of the United States by the U.S. State Department.

Tickets are now available at Old Harbor Books. General admission is $20; student and seniors, $15. The concert is part of the Dee Daniels Vocal Jazz Workshop, which takes place at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, July 20^th-27^th . Daniels and Wade, both award-winning jazz artists and educators, will be working with students from throughout Alaska. Students in the intensive week-long camp study vocal technique, improvisation, theory, storytelling, stage presence, the music business and more. All proceeds from ticket sales go toward supporting the SFAC.

Signed Electric Guitar Auction benefitting Sitka Fine Arts Camp

 

We have some exciting news out of Sitka! We are pleased to announce the first-ever SFAC Rocker’s Dream auction. Starting June 25, 2013 at 10:00am ADT, we will be auctioning off a Greg Bennett Torino model electric guitar, thanks to the generosity of “The Horn Doctor” in Anchorage. If that weren’t exciting enough, two of our star-studded faculty members, Hank Moore and Austin Willacy, will sign and play the guitar. Bidding will end at 9:00pm ADT on Friday, June 28. We will announce the winner at the Rock Band Concert. If the winner is scheduled to perform at the Rock Band Concert, they will even have the opportunity to play the guitar for his/her set on stage in Allen Hall. The site for this auction can be found here: www.32auctions.com/SFACrockstarguitar

It is also important to know that an anonymous donor has pledged to match every dollar raised by Sitka Fine Arts Camp during the summer of 2013, up to $100,000. Every dollar will help us reach our goal of saving the beautiful, historic Sheldon Jackson College Campus that more than 700 students call home each summer. Should you be the lucky winning bidder, not only will you take home a piece of rock memorabilia, but your bid will be considered as a donation under the matching campaign. Your bid will have twicethe positive impact on our ability to continue offering top-quality arts programs and restoring our historic home on the SJC campus!

What: An auction for an electric guitar plus gig bag, signed by Hank Moore and Austin Willacy.

When: Auction is open from June 25, 10:00am to June 28, 2013, 9:00pm.

Why: The guitar will be not only a top-of-the-line instrument and a piece of rock memorabilia, but it will also serve as a part of our matching contribution campaign!

Where: The site for this auction can be found here: www.32auctions.com/SFACrockstarguitar

Don’t worry SFAC High School Campers…you will get your chance to bid for a signed guitar during high school camp as well!

Middle School Final Performances

Photo by Margo Roseum

Sitka Fine Arts Camp is proud to feature the students of the middle school session as they present their work in the 2013 Final Performances and Exhibition. Music, theater, dance and circus arts performances take place at the Sitka Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (June 26-28) starting at 7:00 pm. Visual Arts students exhibit their work at the annual Art Show in the Yaw Arts Center and writers and chamber music groups present their work in Rasmuson on Friday, June 28^th from 1:00 pm—4:00 pm. We also invite everyone to the Odess Theater in Allen Hall on Friday night starting at 10:00 pm for a high energy, once-in-a-lifetime performance from our rock band and advanced rock band members.

Photo by Margo Roseum

All performances and the art exhibition are free-of-charge. Donations however are graciously accepted at evening performance and also in the Rasmuson lobby during the Friday ArtShow.

Parking for the Sheldon Jackson Campus is available at the Hames Center.

The Sheldon Jackson Campus is located at 801 Lincoln Street, a short distance from downtown Sitka.  The Sitka Performing Arts Center is located at the Sitka High School,  1000 Lake Street.

See a full-schedule below:

 Middle School Final Performance Schedule

Wednesday June 26^th, 7pm at the Sitka Performing Arts Center

Beatbox

Percussion Masterclass

Puppets on the Move

Creating Theater

Sonic Boom

Thursday June 27^th, 7pm at the Sitka Performing Arts Center

African Dance & Drumming

Theater: The Play

Partner Acrobatics

Mask Theater Performance

Ballet

Modern Dance

Musical Theater Workshop

Friday June 28^th, 1pm-4pm on the Sheldon Jackson Campus

Visual Art Show in Yaw Arts Center (1pm-4pm)

Acting Medley (2pm-2:45pm in the Chapel)

Puppet Medley (2:50pm-3pm in the Chapel)

Vocal Solo (3pm-3:45pm in the Chapel)

Piano Masterclass (3:45pm-4pm in the Chapel)

String Ensembles (2pm-2:30pm in Rasmuson 101)

Brass Ensembles (2:35pm-2:50pm in Rasmuson 101)

Wind Ensembles (2:50pm-3:10pm in Rasmuson 101)

Jazz Combos (3:15pm-4pm in Rasmuson 101)

Writing Class Readings (2pm-3pm in the Smoke Stack)

Songwriting (3pm-4pm in the Smoke Stack)

Friday June 28^th, 7pm at the Sitka Performing Arts Center

Jazz Band

A Capella

Juggling

Chamber Orchestra

Choir

Clown Theater

Concert Band

Friday June 28^th, 10pm in the Odess Theater at Allen Hall

Rock Band

Sitka Performing Arts Center: 1000 Lake Street • Sitka, AK 99835

Odess Theater at Allen Hall: 801 Lincoln St  • Sitka, AK 99835

**The Final Performance Schedule is subject to change**

*Please call 907-747-3085 for more information

PO Box 3086, Sitka, AK 99835

907.747. 3085

http://www.fineartscamp.org

Jazz on the Waterfront

On Saturday, June 29^th, the annual Jazz on the Waterfront concert returns to the Odess Theater in the historic Allen Hall at Sheldon Jackson. This year’s Speakeasy-themed benefit features a 20-piece Big Band playing popular songs from the 1920s through the 1980s. Early in the evening, Chef Donte will serve a New Orleans-style dinner in the new Odess Theater followed by dancing into the night. Tickets for the concert and dinner are $65 and available at Old Harbor Books; all proceeds go toward supporting the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Those interested in the event are advised to get tickets early as it usually sells out quickly.

To start the night, the band will take the audience on a journey back to the 1920s with traditional New Orleans jazz tunes by Louis Armstrong, King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton. The second set features early-swing era classics by Jimmie Lunceford, Mary Lou Williams and Duke Ellington.  The “exotic” third set features works from Afro-Cuban charts from the late-1940s and 1950s that drawn on African and Cuban rhythms and the middle-eastern sounds of Casablanca, Morocco and Egypt. The fourth set evokes a 1950s Las Vegas showroom and highlights tunes made famous by such crooners as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Louis Prima. The band closes out the night with some hard driving 1970s funk and popular ‘80s songs from artists such as Michael Jackson, James Brown and Earth, Wind and Fire.  Made up of professional musicians from around the United States, the band is led by Kyle Athayde, bandleader of New York’s hottest new Big Band—the Kyle Athayde Dance Party!

All proceeds from ticket sales and additional donations go to the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, which has for over forty years inspired campers of all ages to find their creative voice and reach their artistic potential. Money raised at the Jazz on the Waterfront event goes toward scholarships, staffing and supplies for campers. Tuition for each student typically covers less than half of the cost of sending a child to camp–16% of campers receive need-based financial aid. Since being established in 1973, SFAC has provided a top-notch arts education to thousands of campers. This year alone, over 700 students from 37 Alaskan communities, 27 states and 5 different countries will attend one of our nine camps, which include the traditional middle school and high school camps, as well as the Musical Theater camp and Dee Daniels Vocal Jazz camp, among others.

The summer arts camps and Sitka Fest programs take place on the historic Sheldon Jackson College campus in Sitka, which was gifted to the Camp in 2011 after the College’s closure four years earlier. The Camp has since undertaken the monumental project of restoring the historic buildings on the campus, which is registered as a National Historic District.

As part of an ongoing 40^th anniversary challenge, an anonymous donor has pledged to match any gift made to the renovation efforts by the end of this summer. If you would like to donate to the Sitka Fine Arts Camp to support the students and historic restoration efforts, please contact 907-747-3085 or visit www.fineartscamp.org/donate.

Sitka Fine Arts Camp Receives $150,000 Gift, Donor Challenge

Sitka Fine Arts Camp has received a $150,000 donation towards the restoration of its historic campus on the former site of Sheldon Jackson College. In honor of the Fine Arts Camp’s 40^th year, the same anonymous donor has pledged to match every dollar donated to the Camp during the summer of 2013, up to $100,000.

The Fine Arts Camp, which offers elementary, middle school, high school, and adult arts programs, enrolls nearly 700 students every summer to explore courses in visual arts, dance, music, theater, creative writing, and Alaska Native arts. In addition to offering unique creative opportunities to Alaskan students from Barrow to Ketchikan, the Camp’s nationally recognized programs have drawn attendees from as far away as China and over 50 professional instructors from across the United States.

Through the summer Matching Challenge, the Camp hopes to raise funds to continue its restoration of the historic buildings of the Sheldon Jackson College campus, which were built in 1911 and donated to the Camp after standing boarded up for several years following the College’s closure in 2007. In addition to supporting the renovation of the Sheldon Jackson campus, which is a registered National Landmark, donations to the Camp also enable it to provide over $50,000 in camp scholarships every year. The mission of the Camp, as described by its parent organization Alaska Arts Southeast, is “to build community in Alaska by providing opportunities in arts, culture and recreation in an inclusive, educational and inspirational environment.”

You can help the Sitka Fine Arts Camp reach its goal by visiting our website.

Sitka Fest Program Overview

Click on image to enlarge

BASIC ARTS INSTITUTE

June 2-14

Arts educators from around Alaska come together for an intensive two-week immersion program of workshops and classes sponsored by the Alaska Arts Education Consortium in partnership with the Sitka Tribe, Sitka School District and Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Acclaimed Cultural Arts educator Nancy Douglas and faculty from around the U.S. lead workshops on a range of topics, from advances in brain research and Alaska Native arts to music, dance and visual arts.  The goal of the BAI is to educate and support teachers in a way that will enable them to better teach the arts across the curriculum and promote high achievement of all Alaskan students in and through the arts.

SITKA SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 1-July 6

Bringing the world’s finest classical musicians to Sitka for a month of glorious chamber music concerts and community events, the 42nd SSMF season features the Rubens Quartet (the Netherlands), pianists Piers Lane and Navah Perlman, violinist Gil Morgenstern, and Festival Artistic Director, cellist Zuill Bailey—plus many more. Community events include a family concert, crab feed, movie series, “Bach’s Lunch” series and the Allen Marine Chamber Cruise. Visit the SSMF website for programs, schedule additions and other information: http://www.sitkamusicfestival.org

Strange Attractor Theatre Company

Performance: June 15, 2:30 pm

In residence at the SFAC, the Strange Attractor Theatre Company presents: Enlightenment on E Floor North — a new, original theatrical performance investigating the difficult discussion of work life in America. Investigating the world of museum security guards, Strange Attractor uses their character-driven, highly physical, and outlandishly absurd acting style to reveal what actually happens when people pass the time while on the clock! Tickets are $10, on sale at Old Harbor Books and at the door.

http://www.strangeattractor.org

SITKA FINE ARTS CAMP

June 10-July 14

Nationally recognized for its cutting edge arts camps, the SFAC provides youth and adults with the opportunity to develop artistic interests and skills under the direction of internationally-acclaimed instructors in visual arts, music, dance, theater, writing and Alaskan Native Arts. Each summer over 700 students attend camp. Public events include free exhibitions, art demonstrations and nightly performance “art shares” by students and faculty. See the new SFAC website for further information: http://www.fineartscamp.org.

Adult Camp: June 10-14

Elementary Camp, June 10-14

Middle-school Camp, June 16-29

High-school Camp, June 30-July 14

Music Theater Camp; July 14-28

Dee Daniels Vocal Jazz Workshop

July 20-27; Concert: July 21, 7 pm

One of the greatest jazz vocalists of our time, Dee Daniels presents a week-long workshop for students of all ages with award-winning vocalist, arranger and composer Charenee Wade. Covering vocal technique, improvisation, theory, storytelling, stage presence and more, this dynamic new program within the Sitka Fine Arts Camp includes a performance with Daniels, Wade and the Native Jazz Quartet at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.

http://www.deedaniels.com

The Island Institute

A New Literature of Resilience

July 17—19

Everything is changing. Old options about how to live and how to understand ourselves are melting away just as surely as the ice. We don’t know what life-ways and worldviews will replace old ones or where new ideas will come from, but we do know that the imagining must begin. This gathering brings together a group of women writers, including Vietnamese novelist lê thi diem thúy and Mother Jones contributor Julia Whitty, to explore new strong stories about who we are, how we should live, and what our purpose is on this changing planet. Daylong events for “A New Literature of Resilience” take place around the SJ campus.

www.islandinstitutealaska.org

Native Jazz Workshop

Workshop: July 15-20

CD Release Concert: July 17, 7:30 pm

Offering students of all ages a unique opportunity to be part of an evolving new genre of music–the fusion of traditional native and folk melodies with jazz–this unique workshop covers the key elements of composition, theory, arranging and performance. Students study with members of the internationally-acclaimed Native Jazz Quartet (official 2013-14 Jazz Ambassadors of the United States), Reuel Lubag (piano), Jason Marsalis (vibes) and co-directors Ed Littlefield (drums) and Christian Fabian (bass).

http://www.nativejazzworkshop.com

TEDxSITKA

Saturday, July 20. Registration begins at noon. Fee: $25 (limited availability)

Returning by popular demand, TEDxSitka brings together local, national and international speakers presenting 18-minute talks on a variety of topics, including our relationship with food, the nature of creativity, the meaning of community, etc. Speakers range from Camas Davis, founder of the Portland Meat Collective and Steve Grody, author of “Graffiti L.A.” to award-winning Vietnamese novelist lê thi diem thúy and W.T. McRae, clown and artist-teacher at the New Victory Theater on Broadway. Prepare to be inspired!

July 20, 1–6 pm

https://www.facebook.com/TEDxSitka?fref=ts

THE NATIVE JAZZ WORKSHOP

Workshop: July 15-20

CD Release Concert: July 17, 7:30 pm

Offering students of all ages a unique opportunity to be part of an evolving new genre of music–the fusion of traditional native and folk melodies with jazz–this unique workshop covers the key elements of composition, theory, arranging and performance. Students study with members of the internationally-acclaimed Native Jazz Quartet (official 2013-14 Jazz Ambassadors of the United States), Reuel Lubag (piano), Jason Marsalis (vibes) and co-directors Ed Littlefield (drums) and Christian Fabian (bass).

www.nativejazzworkshop.com 

THE SITKA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

August 1-3

A community-wide culinary festival designed to celebrate wild Alaskan seafood. Each year, the SSF brings in celebrity chefs and presents a wide range of public events. On the final day, the public is invited to participate in the seafood-themed parade leading from downtown Sitka to the SJ Campus on Saturday, August 3 at 11am. Once on campus, visitors can choose from any number of games and contests, ranging from a “fish head toss” to the 2nd annual Highland Games. The addition of a full- and halfmarathon is sure to boost the energy. With educational and entertainment booths at our Marketplace, live bands, cooking demos and tours, and of course, the best food around, this is sure to be the party of the summer.

http://www.sitkaseafoodfestival.org

SHELDON JACKSON MUSEUM

Open daily 9-5

Known worldwide for its rare collection of 19th-century artifacts from each of the Native groups in Alaska, the SJ Museum offers two exciting public programs this summer: The popular Native Artist Demonstrators Program in which Alaskan master artists share their work, answer questions and offer workshops and lectures. This year’s artists include Roy Levine, Peter Williams, Abel Ryan, Selena Alexander, Emily Johnston, Sarah Williams, Jennie Wheeler and Daisy Demientieff, among others.

At Saxán (Love of all Things), held on the third Saturday of each month, includes handson activities and special events to connect young people and their families with the collection and learn about Alaska Native cultures and traditions.

For further information, call the museum or check their website because schedules are subject to change, and some Saturday public programs require pre-registration.

www.museums.alaska.gov/sheldon_jackson/sjhome.html

907.747.8981

THE SITKA SOUND SCIENCE CENTER

Dedicated to increasing our understanding of the land and ocean ecosystems of th Gulf of Alaska through education and research, the SSSC provides tours and public programs to over 12,000 visitors a year. Many come to visit the fully operational salmon hatchery or experience the Molly Ahlgren Aquarium, which has spectacular touch tanks filled with local tide pool fauna. The SSSC offers a range of summer camps for young folks (1st-6th grade) that engage with the local forest and marine ecosystems.

In addition, visiting scientists from prestigious educational and research institutions—Scripps Ocenaographic, Woods Hole, Duke, Stanford, Yale and NOAA–conduct research at the center year-round.

June 17—21: Ooey Gooey Camp (1st—3rd grade)

Make, Create & Fascinate (4th—6th grade)

June 24—28: A Swirl of Art & Science, in collaboration with SFAC (4th—6th grade)

July 9—12: Under the Sea (1st-3rd grade)

Animal Olympics (4th—6th grade)

http://www.sitkasoundsciencecenter.org

SITKA FELLOWS PROGRAM

July 17-August 31

A multidisciplinary residency program now in its second year, the Sitka Fellow program provides the space and time for artists, intellectuals and social entrepreneur to immerse themselves fully in innovative and ambitious projects that will change the world in ways big, small and subtle. Fellows are in residence for seven weeks an provided with studio and research space, meals and a community environment in which they can interact with each other as well as with local Sitkans. The residency is envisioned as an opportunity for young talent to share their individual passions with a diverse community – that is, to inspire and to be inspired.

http://www.sitkafellows.org

PATHS ACROSS THE PACIFIC CONFERENCE

“Shared oceans, Shared humanity, Shared responsibility”

August 14-18

What evidence is there that humans crossed the Pacific Ocean in prehistoric times? Exploring the notion of how human beings are connected by our oceans and their resources, this year’s conference draws on archaeology, oceanography, molecular anthropology, geography, and marine biology along with knowledge from Native American traditions in our exploration of human migrations across our planet’s oceans.

Session topics include: Ocean Currents and Gyres: Earthquakes, Tsunami And Debris; Island and Coastal Archaeology; Kayaks, Canoes, Rafts, Boats and Navigational Knowledge and Disasters and Human Migrations. Beachcombing adventures are available as well. Visit the Paths’ website for a schedule, registration details and further information.

http://www.pathsacrossthepacific.org

Sitka Fest 2013

The second annual Sitka Fest—Southeast Alaska’s premiere arts, culture and science festival—returns with over seventy events based on and around the newly revitalized Sheldon Jackson campus. Sitka Fest features events produced by SJ campus partners, including the Sitka Summer Music Festival, Island Institute, Basic Arts Institute, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Sitka Sound Science Center, Native Jazz Workshop, Sitka Seafood Festival, Sitka Fellows Program, TEDxSitka, Paths Across the Pacific and the Sheldon Jackson Museum. The mission of the festival is to celebrate Sitka’s rich historic heritage while promoting its diverse cultural offerings, ranging from Alaska Native Arts demonstrations to chamber music and dance concerts to theater productions, arts and science camps, special exhibitions, lectures, food tastings and educational programs for all ages.

Please click on the image to enlarge the calendar

Sitka Fest events take place at various venues around campus and throughout the community. The primary performance venue on the SJ campus includes the newly restored Odess Theater in Allen Hall. Named after Carol Odess, whose generous gift facilitated the final phase of renovations, the Odess Theater hosts the Sitka Fine Arts Camp “Art Shares,” hour-long variety show style performances featuring SFAC faculty, as well as a residency and performance by the Strange Attractor Theater Company, the Native Jazz Quartet, and the second annual TEDxSitka conference, among others. The main venue in downtown Sitka is Harrigan Centennial Hall, where most of the Sitka Summer Music Festival concerts take place. Situated on the waterfront with stunning views of Sitka Sound from inside the hall, Harrigan is well known as one of the most sublime concert spaces in the world. The third primary venue is the state-of-the-art Sitka Performing Arts Center, which is located on the Sitka High School campus about a mile East of downtown Sitka. The performing arts center hosts the final Fine Arts Camp student performances, the Dee Daniels jazz concert and this year’s featured Musical Theater Camp production–Seussical.

Sitka Fest was established in democratic spirit of the Chautauqua festivals that flourished throughout America in 19^th century. Like the Chautauqua’s of the past, Sitka Fest is an informal confederation of organizations that share the goal of cultivating an awareness of Sitka’s rich cultural heritage while making available educational opportunities in the arts, humanities and sciences for all ages. What is immediately evident from the Sitka Fest calendar below is that the wealth of this year’s offerings reflects Sitka’s historic role as a major cultural center of the north Pacific.

Sitka Fest represents a partnership between the SJ campus partners and is made possible by the thousands of volunteer hours and donations made by individuals and business, which continue to pour into the revitalization of the historic Sheldon Jackson campus and by support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Alaska State Council on the Arts.

• Tickets for Sitka Fest events are available through partner organizations and Old Harbor Books.
• Further information is available at  http://fineartscamp.org/sitka-fest/