Tales of the Wild: Art and community shaped by wildlife

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is hosting Shaped by Wildlife: Stories of Encounters, Harvest, and Traditions, a community storytelling event at the Glenn Massay Theatre in Palmer on October 29 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5, and all proceeds benefit the Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska.

“We are keeping the price as low as possible to encourage everyone to come, we would love to see families come out to this event,” states Sierra Doherty Wildlife Education and Outreach Coordinator. Here is the link to purchase tickets: https://glennmassaytheater.universitytickets.com/

“Many of us are shaped by wildlife in different ways,” said Manny Eicholz, Wildlife Biologist and Assistant Regional Management Coordinator. The evening event in late October will explore those connections through stories, student artwork, music, and poetry while raising awareness about moose-vehicle collisions, a major safety concern in the Mat-Su Valley.

Eicholz recalled the early planning: “We were sitting in Burl’s office thinking about how we can shape this project... we were interested in how to be aware of moose in the road and prevent vehicle collisions.” What began as a safety campaign evolved into something larger. “Something that brings us all [Alaskans] together... is our wildlife. Wildlife is a part of us.” Art, stories, and building community anchor the message in a way quite different and unique from just a website, bumper sticker, or other element of the campaign to keep moose and humans safe.

Seven storytellers from across Alaska will share seven-minute stories reflecting encounters, traditions, or harvest experiences. This will be a special night out, a great family event, or date night for everyone who enjoys story telling, art, and music.

Burl Dickman Wildlife Education Specials and organizer for the event, from Fish and Game, emphasized the broader aim: “One of our goals is to expand our relevancy and our audience...It is so hard for me to imagine an Alaskan who this wouldn’t include,” Burl said, highlighting the event’s universal appeal. Stories will be punctuated with music by Aspen Yarrow and a poetry performance by Melissa Shaginoff, blending cultural expression with wildlife awareness.

In the lobby, attendees can explore the Stories of the Road exhibit and a student art contest gallery, showcasing middle and high school students’ creative interpretations of Alaska’s wildlife. Student Art can be dropped off at Fish and Game until October 8, 2025. Art will be given prizes.

“We definitely want people to come early from 6–7 and get engaged with our table..." said Doherty. “We encourage people to linger and take in the artwork.”

“This seems to be a theme that applies to a lot of different people,” Burl said. By combining storytelling, art, music, and information, Shaped by Wildlife highlights the interdependence of people, wildlife, and community.

Eicholz hopes the event will become an annual tradition. “We saw the potential of something larger than just this campaign,” inviting all Alaskans to travel out into the dark and cold to learn, to sit in the comfortable theatre seats, reflect, and connect with the stories and your community. This community story telling and art event explores life with wildlife in a way that will not be forgotten. “Wildlife is a part of us,” muses Eicholz.

Attendees are encouraged to view the department’s moose-vehicle collision heat map, showing where collisions occur most often, to better understand the risks and take action to stay safe on the roads. Put October 29th at 6:00 on your calendar. The link to purchase tickets: https://glennmassaytheater.universitytickets.com/

“Give your hazards a flash to avoid a crash,” said Doherty. The Mat-Su Valley leads the state in moose-vehicle collisions, followed by Kenai, Soldotna, Anchorage, and Fairbanks.

For more safety information follow this link:

adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=935&utm

If you have ideas for a story contact Russell Clark at rusty.clark@onwardandupward.org Russell Clark is a curriculum specialist working to promote a culture of One Health in our community. Onward and Upward believes we have a reciprocal relationship with nature; being a good citizen means attending to this relationship.