Native art comes to Valley

It is not every day that Alaskans are able to witness national-class art or be a part of a cross-cultural experience. One of those rare occasions is going on now in downtown Palmer.

Artrain USA, a well-traveled art museum contained in five railroad cars has ranged farther afield than it ever has previously to bring an assemblage of Native American works to five locations around the state, including the Valley. The train has 71 pieces of art created by Native American artists from around the country.

For the past two days, the train has been open to schools and community groups. General public tours are available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is an opportunity to take in some art and learn more about different cultures - two things hard to come by in Alaska, given its distance from the Lower 48.

Local Native groups are getting in on the action, too. The Chickaloon Dancers will perform at noon Sunday, when a display of Native Alaska art and Native-themed work by the late Palmer artist Fred Machetanz also will be part of the days events at Artrain.

A concert by Medicine Dream, a group of Alaska Native musicians, is also on tap for Sunday afternoon, as is a story-telling session at the Palmer library by Chickaloon tribe story-teller Patricia Wade.

The total package spells good news for Valley residents. It also spells good news for the hard-working group of community-minded volunteers who make up the Palmer Arts Council.

The fledgling organization already has some smaller successes to its credit, and the massive logistical and organizational effort it took to get the Artrain here is a huge feather in the group's cap. That the arts council was able to pull it off without a paid director or any full-time staff is further to its credit.

Residents of Palmer - and the entire Valley - are the beneficiaries.

Get out and see some art and experience Native culture this weekend. Entrance to the Artrain is free, although donations are welcome.