This month’s event takes patrons ‘Inside the Artist Studio’

PALMER — The Palmer Art Walk is trying something different, as its first event of 2014 brings “Palmer Art Walk: Inside the Artist Studio.” The event is billed as a behind-the-scenes look at how local art is created through an open studio tour.

Several of the studios will have door prizes, light appetizers and refreshments, as well as pieces of their work available for purchase. There’s also a raffle with a winner drawn from among those who have visited all the sites.

This walk is Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., with a special game at the Palmer Museum at 5:30 p.m. To complete this month’s Palmer Art Walk challenge, walkers will have to visit six of nine studio stops located in downtown Palmer and in the Springer Loop area. Driving as opposed to walking might be a good idea this month.

1 Arkose Brewery, 650 E. Steel Loop

Arkose is hosting its Beer Meets Canvas event from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thirty dollars gets you a pint and art supplies to create your own masterpiece. You have to be 21 or older and pre-registration is required. Call Arkose Brewery at 746-2337.

Madd Matters, 1088 S. Colony Way

The gallery/frame shop will host artist Gigi Le Meaux and the work of several artists from the Valley Fine Arts Association in an exhibition titled “100 Pieces for Under $100.”

Rose Hendrickson Studio, 148 S.Bonanza St.

Hendrickson takes inspiration from artists past and present using elements from classic realism and non-representative expressionism to infuse her own work with a sort of expressionistic realism. Hendrickson focuses on paintings of warmth, joy and tender moments between everyday people. She also does portrait commissions in graphite or pastels.

NuKreationZ, 735 S. Bailey St.

Karen Lopez runs a paint-your-own pottery studio, with clay and pottery wheel classes. It also includes a gallery and a sometime gathering place for artists. Karen often experiments with her glazes, firing methods and raku.

3 Nickie Jordan Glass Artworks, 15887 E. Outer Springer Lp.

Jordan has her own glass studio where she creates sandblasted and fused glass art. Creating glass art is a difficult and delicate process, and Jordan will show you how she handles those challenges.

5 Emily Longbrake/Alaska Sewloutions Sewing Guild, 1201 S. Grover Ln.

Longbrake was born and raised in Alaska, went to school in Oregon for human physiology and chemistry, then turned to the arts both through university study and through art she creates for exhibitions, small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Alaska Sewlutions Sewing Guild is the local chapter of the American Sewing Guild and offers classes and instruction. The guild hosted the Sewing Division at the Alaska State Fair this past summer.

4 Arctic Fires Bronze Sculptureworks, 5615 E. Outer Springer Loop

Pat Garley has become a leading force in creating public sculptures in Alaska. He has created commissioned pieces for Seward and Kodiak and had several pieces purchased by local galleries. In 2008 and 2012, he had two pieces purchased by the Palmer Museum. He opens his studio to other artists who want to learn about creating metal works of art.

2 SL Cook Pottery and Fiber Werks Studio, 623 N. Angus Loop

Sandra Cook will demonstrate how she creates her distinctive hand-built earthenware, including elevated plates, bowls and serving pieces. Sandra will have works in progress and finished pottery with her characteristic shiny white majolica glaze. Her pottery studio doubles as a dying studio.

Palmer Museum of History and Art, 723 S. Valley Way

This month the museum will be displaying its Native Alaska exhibit “Living the Life: Haa Kusteeyii,” an assortment of artwork from several Native Alaskan artists. The museum will also serve delicious tidbits and refreshments and distribute Palmer Art Walk maps.