Q&A with Valley Arts Alliance Executive Director Carmen Summerfield

WASILLA — Like all sectors of public life, the local art scene is trying to keep up with the ever changing COVID-19 situation. Events and activities have been cancelled and altered to mitigate the spread, but creativity still needs an outlet.

Valley Arts Alliance Executive Director Carmen Summerfield provided a question and answer interview for the Frontiersman to discuss her group’s current happenings while touching on the efforts being done across the community.

Q: So how have things been going?

“Yeah, so Art on Fire, we decided to not have it; also because the transportation museum wasn’t open. They’re using the summer to do a lot of upgrades… Like everybody knows, it’s hard to plan. We don’t know what’s going on with this whole thing.”

Q: When does Art on Fire normally go on?

“That would have been June 27.”

Q: It sounds like you guys really haven’t done anything in a while huh?

“Yeah, our last event was wearable art. That was in February. We’re not sure about Alaska Home Companion. That would be in October, and we’ll just have to see how things are going in the state with cases and everything. We won’t know that until about September or so.”

Q: What have you guys been doing to keep things going in the meantime?

“So we stay in touch… Then people upload what they’ve done for art pieces.”

Q: Do you know of any other happening or artists doing anything in the Valley?

“They’re doing Second Saturday, Birch Grove Studios in Wasilla. They’re right where Batteries Plus used to be… So they have artists booths set up outside of their studio. The whole Second Saturday is a neat concept, and it’s outside.”

Q: What else?

“The Recycling Center has a garden [upcycled] arts contest. They normally did that at the Fair. Since the Fair is cancelled now, they’re doing it at the center… Drop off your entries the first week of September… Then they have a Second Saturday reception and art walk noon til five September 12.”

Q: Any other noteworthy happenings for creative people?

“We’re planning just as a fun thing… we’ve all kind of hunkered down, so creations that were created during the hunkering down period. So that would be interesting to have that art out at some point.”

Q: So that’s going to be for VAA members and the public, when do you think you’ll display those?

“Probably in the spring.”

Q: Anything to keep in mind when creating these pieces?

“It’s mixed media, so any medium… See it as an enjoyable time. I think it’s just good to get your mind on something else. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. Just have fun with it. It’s fun to let your mind go and see what you end up making.”

For more information about the VCRS Upcycled Art Contest, call 907-745-5544 or visit valleyrecycling.org. For more information about Birch Grove Studios or their second Saturday events, call 907-354-7112 or visit birchgrovestudios.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com