BP Alaska grant bolsters Talkeetna group

TALKEETNA — When Northern Susitna Institute executive director Joe Page answered the phone recently, he received unexpected good news from Karen Cowart, director of external affairs for BP Alaska. She called to inform him the nonprofit had received a $50,000 grant.

“I was speechless,” he said. “Erin Aulman and I talked with Karen about our organization last fall, but we never expected anything like this. It came as a wonderful surprise.”

Northern Susitna Institute is a nonprofit, hands-on learning organization based in Talkeetna, with a focus on “real learning in the real world.” Erin Aulman, NSI board president, noted that despite being in the midst of a major capital campaign, the BP funds would be used to advance programming.

“Sure, we still need funds to purchase the facility we’re leasing, but we believe that by focusing on the development of our individual programs, it will strengthen our entire organization,” Aulman said.

Four programs operate under the auspices of Northern Susitna Institute: Classroom With A View, Career Exploration and Applied Learning Academy, Talkeetna Build A Plane and the Alaska Folk School.

NSI was also recently awarded a $2,000 mini grant from the Alaska Humanities Forum in support of the Belmore Browne Centennial Commemoration.

On July 21, Northern Susitna Institute will feature a presentation by well-known Alaska adventurer Brian Okonek and a collection of glass slides and other photographs Belmore Browne used to illustrate the many lectures he delivered to audiences around the United States after his return from the 1912 Expedition.

Along with leading early expeditions into the Alaska Range, Browne was instrumental in the creation of Denali National Park as well as becoming a well-known landscape artist whose paintings are in the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Smithsonian and the Seattle Art Museum, among others.

Talkeetna Build A Plane

This program has been especially successful this past year and Dallas Haman, lead mechanic for the Cherokee 6 rebuild project, was honored by the Alaska Air Carrier’s Association as Mechanic of the Year for his efforts.

Classroom With A View

This program provides courses in outdoor leadership, a nine-day backcountry adventure in Denali State Park and a new three-week course exploring the Sonoran Desert next spring.

“We are excited and feel privileged to have the resources to offer fun-filled educational experiences for young people and help create strong leaders for tomorrow,” said Tia Shoemaker, CWAV program director. “The future of Alaska really does lie in the hands of the youth we are educating today.”

Career Exploration

and Applied Learning

This initiative has collaborated with a team of area residents, Mat-Su Central School, tradespeople, nonprofits and business owners to create a comprehensive program of job shadow, internship and service learning opportunities. This program is designed to engage students in real-life experiences and help them understand the issues and challenges of different careers before high school graduation. High school credit is available through Mat-Su Central and area home school programs.

Alaska Folk School

NSI releases a catalog this month describing its four programs and classes it plans to offer. Diane Ziegner, director of Alaska Folk School, has recruited instructors for classes that include canoe-paddle making, fabric arts, blacksmithing, primitive living skills, birch basketry and sled building.

“As I work on scheduling Alaska Folk School courses for our upcoming season, it’s thrilling to think about the boatload of talented folks we have in Talkeetna and in Alaska,” Ziegner said. “My hope is that by creating a catalog for NSI and its programs, people will gain a better understanding of who we are and what we are doing. Students and instructors learn from and inspire each other through hands-on experiences. Getting more people involved means more learning opportunities for all of us.”

June Alaska Folk School classes

The following courses are available in June from the Alaska Folk School in Talkeetna.

Concrete Leaf Impressions

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 9; 10 a.m. to noon June 30

Cost: $40 and $35 respectively, materials $20

What: Holly Stinson teaches rhubarb leaf impression from concrete. During the first session, students will mix concrete and cast their leaves. At the second session, leaves will be cleaned and painted.

Shibori Sampler with Indigo

When: 2 to 5 p.m., June 9

Cost: $35, materials $25

What: Julia March Crocetto teaches how to play with fiber and dye. Learn many ways to manipulate cloth to create a variety of patterns. Take home a dyed silk scarf, dyed fabric and ideas. Bring one or two items to dye in the indigo vat. This is for students ages 14 and older; children 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Paddle Making

taught by Tod Marder

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 16 and 17

Cost: $135 and $150 respectively, materials $50

What: Tod Marder teaches how form follows function. Create a custom-sized beavertail or similar single paddle from birch. Some of the tools you’ll use to make a paddle include jigsaw, block plane and draw knife.

Shibori Sampler with Indigo

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 23

Cost: $65/$55, materials $30

What: Julia March Crocetto teaches a full-day version of her June 9 class. Students have more time to explore the techniques learned. For students age 14 and older; age 10-13 with an adult.

Shibori Intensive – Arashi Experiments

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 24

Cost: $65/$55, materials $40

What: Arashi means “storm,” so enjoy this whirlwind form of shaping cloth to create dramatic patterns taught by Julia March Crocetto. Review traditional methods of pole wrapping. Shibori sampler class or permission required. For students age 14 and older.

Northern Susitna Archaeology

taught by Jonathan Durr

When: June 23-24, with an overnight stay

Cost: $300/$275

What: This is an opportunity to participate in a dig at the Chase Field site (located 15 miles north of Talkeetna) with Jonathan Durr. After a few hours of classroom time, students will travel to the field site on the Alaska Railroad. Tents, food and train fare are all included in the tuition. For students age 18 and older, or 14-17 with an adult.

Primitive Wilderness Skills

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 26

Cost: $40/$35, materials $15

What: Class taught by Klaus Lerch and Laura Derungs

Reverse Method Mosaics

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 29 and 10 a.m. to noon, June 30

Cost: $60/$50, materials $20

What: Class taught by Mary Gunderson