February Palmer Art Walk takes a romantic turn

PALMER — February marks the official beginning of the 2014 Palmer Art Walk season and organizers say the theme this month is love.

Stops on the art walk from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday will distribute Valentine’s Day cards. Folks who want a shot at the big raffle prize from Healing Path Therapeutic Massage this month will have to visit all stops and collect all the cards. And the stops will compete for the honor of being named “Most Beloved Art Walk Business.”

The walk will also host a lantern lift-off at 6 p.m. in honor of the loved ones lost this past year or are currently battling health issues. Lanterns can be purchased at Madd Matters, NonEssentials or at the Palmer Museum for $10. All proceeds go to the Palmer Merchants Emergency Fund, a small fund created by Greg Gusse (of Madd Matters) and friends that helps local business owners and staff during their time of illness or loss. In the past year, more than $1,500 has been distributed from the fund

1 HEALING PATH THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

550 S Alaska St.

Two therapists will provide chair and foot massages at a discounted rate of $1 per minute from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. They will also have drawings for two 20-minute chair massages at 4 and 6 p.m. Jewelry designed by Judy Davidson of The Crown Jewels will be available for sale. Prices begin at $10, allowing you to pick up a special valentine or birthday gift at a reasonable price.

ARKOSE BREWERY

650 E. Steel Loop

Arkose’s Beer Meets Canvas event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. For $30, you get one pint and all the art supplies you will need to create your own masterpiece. The event is open only to those 21 years or older and pre-registration is recommended. Call 746-2337.

1 ALASKAN ARTISANS & CRAFTERS

550 S. Alaska St.

The collective of artisans and crafters will have several items on display and available for purchase inside the Turkey Red banquet room.

5 VALLEY QUILTERS GUILD (PALMER DEPOT)

918 S. Colony Way

The guild will be at the Palmer Depot for their monthly sewing day and will have several quilts on display as well as information available about their organization and how to participate.

8 PALMER MUSEUM

723 S. Valley Way

The museum will feature its newest exhibit Out of the Closet 2014, a collection of outfits that have walked the runway during the Valley Arts Alliance's Wearable Art Shows from years past. Some designer veterans will be on hand to talk about the event and how to use a tarp to create wearable art.

7 COVER UPS

840 S. Colony Way

The downtown clothing store will feature artist Francine Long, who creates watercolor paintings of horses, horses with people, and horses in the Alaska landscape. She currently has artwork in the Palmer Museum's Extension Gallery in the Palmer Public Library, the Anchorage Museum and in several private collections. Her young apprentice, Jaida Vroman, will also be present and demonstrating her painting skills.

6 GARDEN GATE

111 W. Evergreen Ave.

Garden Gate’s plans were not available as of press time.

4 NONESSENTIALS

728 S. Alaska St.

This month, NonEssentials will celebrate its love of chocolate and also feature the artwork of Patty Halley.

3 FIRESIDE BOOKS

720 S. Alaska St.

Fireside will host a Book Arts Show featuring the artwork of local students from the Mat-Su College Art Department.

2 SIDE KICKS GIFT STORE

642 S. Alaska St.

Side Kicks is focusing this month on wearable art and accessories — locally crafted adult and children's aprons, baby bibs, baby gift sets, knitted and crocheted adult and baby hats, recycled leather cuffs, braided hemp bracelets, precious stone necklaces, bracelets and earrings — among other things. In the store window will be a locally crafted dress and accessories made from tarps, duct tape and grommets to promote Valley Arts Alliance's eighth annual Wearable Art Show on Feb 15.

1 SHANE LAMB GALLERY

550 S. Alaska St.

The gallery’s featured artist for February is Barbara Apangalook, an Alaska Native of Siberian Yupik Eskimo and Tlingit Indian heritage. She was raised in Gambell on St. Lawrence Island. Barbara attributes her interest and love of Native crafts to her mother, father, grandmother and the close-knit community of Gambell, where to exist is to observe and learn. She’ll be at the gallery in person from 2 to 6 p.m.