Art in the Mat-Su

Story by Eowyn LeMay Ivey

The Valley offers a wealth of inspiration, from its dramatic scenery and snow-capped mountains to its plentiful wildlife. But something more draws artists to this area and nourishes their creative efforts -- a community that loves their work.

From professional art galleries and studios to coffeehouses and craft shows, Valley artists display a remarkable diversity in their work. Art lovers can find pottery in muted earth tones, sweeping paintings of bears and mountain ranges, finely crafted jewelry, handwoven fabric, photographs, colorful quilts and work in virtually every other medium available.

Per capita, it seems the Mat-Su Valley has a tendency toward the artistic. Whether it is nationally known artists such as Fred Machetanz, who have permanent displays in museums, or self-taught newcomers working out of their living rooms and garnering attention in small coffeehouse shows, Valley artists continue to be inspired by the land and people around them.

In a Frontiersman article several years ago, Palmer artist Gail Niebrugge described the mountains that in part drew her to live and paint in the Valley.

"What draws me to a subject is the way the light …" Niebrugge's voiced faded as she gazed out her studio windows. "Like Pioneer Peak … right now it doesn't have any light on it. It's just this big, dark shape. All of a sudden the light will hit it and suddenly, anyone, not just a painter, will look up and say, 'Wow.'"

For artist Judi Rideout, the inspiration comes from Alaska's animals. Using pastels, Rideout creates richly textured portraits of wolves, bears and other beloved creatures. Rideout said in a Frontiersman article several years ago that pastels are the secret to her success. It is a rare medium for a professional artist and one that has proven to be successful for Rideout.

Other Valley residents have been equally inventive in their media. Up-and-coming homegrown Palmer artist Jennifer Renner mixed acrylic paint on canvas with topographical photos in a show at Vagabond Blues.

From Sutton to Talkeetna, other artists use clay to express themselves, forming and adorning pottery bowls, plates and tiles. At the same time, fiber artists experiment with weaving, quilting, tapestry, surface design … even basketry.

"You can weave, crochet and spin almost anything that is fiber-related," Ruth Simpson, vice president of the Valley Fiber Artists Guild, said in an earlier Frontiersman article. Fiber creations can use silk, handmade papers, paints, beads, hand-died and hand-woven fabric -- the possibilities are endless.

In other cases the Valley's landscape becomes the source again, this time not only in inspiration but in materials. Local artists draw birch bark, moose antlers and other media from the land itself. Valley resident Karen Manook Rifredi uses porcupine quills in her ornate bead work. During a presentation at Palmer Public Library, Rifredi described how she gathers her materials from roadkill porcupines.

Again and again, local artists tell the Frontiersman they have made their homes here because of the place itself and what it offers their work. But they are not alone in reaping the benefits.

The power of art reaches into individual homes, galleries and even local schools. Glass and tile mosaics, murals and window etchings adorn new or remodeled schools through the "1% for Art" program. The projects and artists are chosen by a panel including a teacher, principal, student and community member.

"I think it empowers the community because they can give their schools a look that represents a wide variety of viewpoints," Dan DeRoux, an Alaskan artist who did a series of alphabet paintings for Swanson Elementary, said in an earlier Frontiersman article. "It is gratifying as an artist to do be able to do something you know a majority of the people are going to like an appreciate."