The art of being here: A glimpse from Palmer’s Artist Studio Tour

Glasses were filled, cheeses sampled, and conversations flowed on recent Saturday night as the revived Palmer Artist Studio Tour came back to life.

A reunion, it brought together neighbors, artists, and friends, reconnecting the community through creativity. Art is not just something that hangs on the wall. It’s what happens when people show up for one another.

At the north end of town, the Art Café welcomed visitors to displays by Judy Vars and other local artists. Judy’s bold smile matched the vibrancy and boldness of her paintings and hair. “I just want to be noticed,” she laughed, a mischievous twinkle echoing the energy in her work. Her paintings: women’s faces rendered with expressive eyes, layered patterns, a reference to black sabbath, and floral backgrounds. A modern homage to the traditional Vanitas, reimagined for Alaska. One striking piece after another, featuring skulls on a pink and red background, butterflies and glasses colored wine; a quiet reminder that vitality and mortality often exist side by side.

Meanwhile, close by at 403 Kombucha, neighbors became impromptu models for Palmer High School students from Mrs. Folsom’s Art classes. Visitors who stopped for a glass of kombucha could be sketched by the students, who captured fleeting glimpses of their subjects. The room buzzed with friendly conversation, bright colors, and creativity, blurring the line between artist and audience.

A short drive to Ray Gamradt’s studio at the edge of town. Lit by two torches, his driveway glowed like a beacon, signaling patience and craft. Inside, charcoal drawings of moose, elk, and bears emerged from the shadows, ghostly yet vivid, more than realism: a dusty homage to the animals themselves. Gamradt, who first proposed the studio tour to the Palmer Arts Council, displayed both finished and careful, precise work that reveal the quiet discipline behind his art.

Not far from Ray’s studio is the Palmer Museum, Megan Moore stood quietly behind her table. “I’ve just started selling my art,” she said softly, “but I’ve been making it for a long time.” Her skill and raw talent were evident in every piece, each one telling a story as compelling as the log walls around her. Invited by the council to exhibit, Megan’s work quietly illuminated the museum’s warmth.

The night drew to an end at Lekkers, where Marta Zegzdryn worked the potter’s wheel as her friend manned the cash register. “This is the best place to be,” she said, shaping clay in front of the crowd while conversing with attendees. Grounded and calm, fully absorbed in her craft, she embodied the spirit of the evening. Around her, laughter, conversation, and the earthy vibe of clay filled the room.

As the tour came to an end, patrons lingered, sharing stories and finding connections, however brief, through the universal language of art. Raffle prizes were given. In Palmer, on this night, the biggest prize was the celebration of our community; of Palmer itself; which we were all lucky to share on this lovely night.