Garden & Art Faire to entertain, educate

PALMER — Free food, music, and how-to workshops are planned this weekend as part of the annual Palmer Midsummer Garden and Art Faire, a celebration of local art and gardening.

“We think it is very important. As a museum we not only promote the history of the Palmer region but we also want to promote the culture of the Palmer region,” said Palmer Museum director Selena Ortega-Chiolero, who is organizing the event.

The faire is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 12, in downtown Palmer and features myriad attractions including local country musician Ken Peltier and this month’s Palmer Art Walk with the theme “Alaska Native.” Workshops range from drum-making to the growing of wild herbs for healing, to photography and raku fired pottery.

Denise Statz, another member of the organizational committee and longtime vendor at the Faire emphasized the uniqueness of the event.

“It’s one of a kind in that we spend an extraordinary amount of time getting good music. We also have fabulous artists, and what’s interesting is that many of them you can’t find anywhere else,” Statz said.

With the tourist season in full swing, the event also is a great opportunity for attendees to buy souvenirs and add things to their gardens, Ortega-Chiolero said, but it also aims to promote community and learning, especially among the younger generations.

The “Flat Kenny” Project, an adaptation of the Flat Stanley Project started by a Canadian schoolteacher in the 1990s, encourages faire-goers to create a Flat Kenny paper cutout in honor of Ken Peltier and take a photo with their creation at each of the stops along the Palmer Art Walk. The project is designed to get people interested in art, food sustainability and culture on a local level, but attendees who visit at least 10 booths will be automatically entered into a raffle sponsored by Alaska Artisans and Crafters.

“It’s supposed to be educational and enjoyable at the same time,” Ortega-Chiolero said.

In addition to the free raffle, there is another opportunity for faire patrons to win. Art Walkers who make at least a $5 purchase at one of the stops also will be entered into a bonus raffle in which there are $800 in prizes. Given that the local businesses providing the prizes make most of their revenue in the summertime, Ortega-Chiolero said, it’s important that they have support from the community.

Statz, owner of NonEssentials in Palmer, attested to the significance of the event on a personal level.

“My son and I plan all year around it. As a small business owner it’s an important activity for us,” she said.

Statz has watched the faire grow and change over the last eight years, since it was originally hosted at the state fairgrounds. Despite the changing of hands from the Palmer Development Economic Authority to the Special Santa Program and now to the Palmer Museum, people continue to be drawn to the event.

“People come in search of creativity and food and just the atmosphere,” Statz said.

For more information, visit palmergardenandart.org.