Art Beat: Leaving limbo

Hi, my name is Jacob Mann. I cover the Art Beat for the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.

Stories start in many different ways. This one started with a new weekly Q&A series created during a pandemic, and ended with a New Year and new sense of hope for what comes with it.

I’ve heard it many times, limbo. I keep hearing that word. People around the world keep saying they feel like they’re in limbo thanks to all the hunkering down, cancelled concerts and events, closed dining areas, and other social distancing measures we’ve all had to endure in the now infamous year of 2020.

It’s obvious that many people are ready to bid 2020 farewell with an added, “finally” and “good riddance” leaving their lips. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t one of those people.

Like countless others, I’ve dealt with one serious life matter to another during 2020, most of which would have happened with or without COVID-19. Add all other strains from the pandemic, and you’ve got one emotionally charged year.

I think it’s safe to say most people see the end of the year as a time for reflection. Looking back, I’ve witnessed countless cases of hugely important work being done and major milestones achieved in spite of all the negative consequences of COVID-19.

2020 is definitely a year full of firsts, not just the pandemic firsts, but impactful changes that set people on new and exciting paths. I’ve talked to so many passionate people chasing their dreams or discovering all new ones.

I recently interviewed Valley raised lyric and poet writer turned musician Jamie Bailey who recently debuted to the local creative scene, thanks to an ongoing collaboration with MoonDog Media. This is the year he started putting his music out there, and so far, he’s practically overflowing with encouragement and support from the community, ready to make more.

“I think it’s giving people opportunities. I think any artist just wants to be seen… Look how many great ideas and inspirations that went dead in the water that we’ll never know about because we didn’t give them the attention… I think we’re sharing emotions more than art,” Bailey said during the interview.

I asked MoonDog Media co-founder and a personal friend of mine, Michael Dillon about the importance of connecting people through the arts during this time period. Here’s what he said, “I think it’s incredibly important. We don’t realize how much we’re missing until we’re locked up… Something so small as going out to a bar and having a band playing in the background. You don’t realize how much you miss that. I think the artists have an opportunity right now to bring more focus to what they do and what they offer.”

Americana-folk singer/songwriter Roland Roberts is new to Palmer and Alaska in general. He’s already noticed something I’ve heard from locals time after time, the sheer abundance of support from one creative creator to another.

“You know, it’s really, really cool. I just love how local Alaska is, how everyone sort of bands together to support each other… Alaska is far and above most other places. The only other music scene I’ve seen that even compares to Alaska, as far as local support, is Texas... All musicians are very supportive of one another… It’s just kind of that mentality, that we’re all up here together,” Roberts said during the interview.

As for me? Well, I can tell you that 2020 had plenty of fruitful opportunities that I seized. This is the year I started my column and accompanying Creative Q&A series. I introduced Art Beat to the public in February. The column has evolved over time and I’ve got into more of a groove on how I like to present it. I’ve received numerous emails from the community supporting my efforts, and I’ve read that it’s making some people’s days.

Art Beat and the Creative Q&A series keep building on themselves. Now that people are getting used to seeing them every week, I get more suggestions for ideas and interview subjects.

I guess when it comes down to it, 2020 wasn’t so bad after all. I’ll say goodbye, but I’ll refrain from saying good riddance.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com