Plenty to do at monthly gathering

The August Art Walk is from 2 to 6 p.m., Aug. 9, and the theme is “Bird and the Bees.” Walkers who find at least 10 birds secretly hidden at Art Walk stops around Palmer will be eligible to be entered in the free August Art Walk raffle sponsored by the Palmer Museum.

The Valley Cruzer’s annual “Hot Summer Nights” car show will follow the art walk from 6 to 9 p.m.

To help you maneuver the walk, free maps are available at the Palmer Museum beginning at 10 a.m., August 9, or you can download the free Palmer Art Walk App in the GooglePlay or Apple iTunes stores. For further information, please contact the Palmer Museum staff at 907-746-7668.

1 Alaskan Artisans and Crafters, 550 S. Alaska St.

This collective of artisans and crafters will have several items on display and for sale inside the Turkey Red banquet room. What better way to save time along the Art Walk than also shopping for that special someone. They also have locally made souvenirs of your Alaska summer vacation.

Arkose Brewery, 650 E. Steel Loop

This month, Arkose Brewery will celebrate Beers and Brats with special guest, The Lead Dog. The Lead Dog will be set up outside the brewery selling reindeer sausage, brats, and All American hot dogs for just $5.00. In addition, Arkose will also be hosting their monthly Beer Meets Canvas event. 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 required. For more information or to register, contact Arkose Brewery at 746-BEER (2337).

4 Fireside Books, 720 S. Alaska St.

Fireside Books will be hosting a book launch party for local author AdriAnne Strickland. Her debut novel, Wordless, is a young adult dystopian adventure that Fireside says is impossible to put down. It tells the story of Tavin Barnes, a boy from the illiterate class who has a chance run-in with one of the all-powerful Words, a young girl with the power to heal a wound or make a bush devour a city block. She needs his help. Starting at 3 p.m., drop by Fireside Books for a chance to meet and chat with the author. There store promises “snacks, decorations, and all kinds of fun.”

6 Palmer Museum, 723 S. Valley Way

The museum will be featuring its August exhibit, Selfies: A New Age of Self-Photography. This new exhibit explores the world of self-photography in the digital age and questions its very definition. Is a “selfie” any different than a self-photograph or does it carry some sort of connotation that prevents it from being considered art? Is a “selfie” just the result of a point, click and shoot maneuver? The exhibit features photographs taken by both professional and amateur photographers using a variety of devices ranging from cameras to iPhones. The public is invited to come explore this topic, which at times has been controversial, and decide what their definition of a “selfie” truly is. While you’re at the museum, be sure to take your own “selfie” using our mini iPad to join the conversation.

3 Valley Quilters Guild, 610 S. Valley Way

The guild is participating but details were unavailable as of press time.

2 B Bella, 642 S. Alaska St.

This month B. Bella’s show will be the work of three of their very own ladies. They will bring you the Birds and the Bees on canvas, wood and paper. B Bella’s artists will be owner, Betty Pierce, stylist Shelly Ivey, and front desk EMS. They will be showing all different and unique interpretations of the theme so go check it out. Pierce is displaying her pieces for the second time ever this month. Ivey has been painting with acrylics since she was 6. Lately, she’s been painting on reclaimed wood from my parents’ old cedar fence. “I love how if I blunder I can just sand it off,” she says. EMS’s favorite subject matter is the wilds of Alaska — landscapes, flowers and people. She uses watercolors, charcoal, color pencils, and pen.

5 Cover Ups, 840 S. Colony Way

This shop will be featuring the works of mixed media artist Sarah Jensen.

1 Healing Path Therapeutic Massage, 550 S. Alaska St.

The shop has photo journals and photo folios for sale, designed and handmade by Donna Smith, Healing Path’s featured artist for August. They will also have two therapists to provide chair and foot massage at the discounted rate of $1 per minute at the Downtown Palmer Plaza from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. They will also have drawings for two 20-minute chair massages. You need to stop by and fill out an entry slip. The drawings will be at 4 & 6 p.m. Call Pamela J. Stephen at 715-8748 or Carrie D. McAllister at 715-8725 to reserve your time. You can also walk in and take the next available spot.

1 Shane Lamb Gallery, 550 S. Alaska St.

This local gallery will feature the work of LuAnn Yanusz, owner of Glacier Glassworks. LuAnn came to Alaska after graduating college 33 years ago, looking for mountains, wildlife and outdoor adventure. She has lived in Soldotna, Juneau, Fairbanks and Palmer. She took her first stained glass class in 1988 at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. Each of her pieces is hand cut, foiled and soldered in her Palmer studio. Alaska surroundings — flowers, wildlife and scenery — provide her inspiration. She continues to enjoy making a variety of glass items and playing with new ideas.

Thrifters Rock, 9201 Frontage Rd.

The thrift store will be hosting their event “Busy Bees and Thrifty Chicks,” a coloring contest for children through adult ages. Artist Christi Belanger has designed a special coloring page with birds and bees for the event and there will be prizes for age categories 3-6, 7-10, 11-14 and 15-adult. Thrifter’s Rock will also have “Alaska Specialties Kompany” in the store all day selling their jams, jellies, and honeys along with some cookbooks.

7 Madd Matters, 1088 S. Colony Way

This eclectic art supply store and gallery space will feature their latest exhibit on ornamentals created by local artists: Colleen Wake, Sandra Cook and Pat Garley.

2 Vagabond Blues, 642 S. Alaska St.

This local coffee house will be featuring the works of artist Eric Derylo. Eric will have a variety of paintings, stencil drawings and mixed media pieces on display for all to enjoy.