Bear Paw River Brewing Co. presents First Friday Art Show with Nancy Crawford

WASILLA — Today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bear Paw River Brewing Company featured artist, Nancy Crawford will showcase her paintings for anyone to come and enjoy and even purchase; all while casually sipping on local brews, fertilizing the Valley art scene with their interaction. Crawford’s works will be on display for a month and will be replaced by the next artist on the first Friday of the following month.

Crawford’s favorite medium is oils and “loves Plein Air Painting.” Plein Air Painting is a French term for painting outside, essentially meaning “open (in full) air.” Crawford will display 15 pieces, mostly landscapes at the venue – some Alaskan scenery and some from her travels in Europe, bringing a “different flair.”

This is another segment for Bear Paw’s Artist Series, where any local artists or art organization can present their work. However, according to Crawford, the venue is booked for a year.

“It’s a wonderful way for artists to share their work, and for a venue to get people that visit their establishment also,” Crawford says.

This symbiotic relationship between artists and the Bear Paw has proven to be a worthwhile adventure for each side of the coin.

For the Mat-Su Valley, increasing numbers of venues and synergy within the creative community and local businesses seems to be the bread and butter for growth.

Getting the word out and connecting creative’s has been a reoccurring challenge for the Valley yet inspiration is infectious so the good work Bear Paw and the Valley Fine Arts Association has a way of overcoming the challenge and tying it all together.