Time again for Second Saturday Art Walk

PALMER — This month’s Second Saturday Art Walk from 3 to 8 p.m., Feb. 9 in downtown Palmer features a new twist on the familiar theme.

In addition to the usual day filled with art, music and fun with friends, this month participants can use the map in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman or pick up a copy at the Palmer Museum. Collect pieces at participating shops to make your own herb garden. Start at the Palmer Museum, where people can pick up a planting container for their gardens. Then at other stops along the art walk participants can collect soil, seeds and planter sticks, according to Second Saturday organizer Selena Ortega-Chiolero.

She said people who complete the garden kit before 8 p.m. should return to the Palmer Museum to have their completed passports entered in the monthly prize raffle, sponsored by Cover Ups this month.

The art walk also features a fundraiser for Palmer artist Greg Gusse, who was instrumental in launching the Palmer art walk.

Here is what is happening along this month’s art walk. Match up the numbers with locations on the map:

1. MADD MATTERS — The popular gallery will host a special exhibit of photography by former co-owner Greg Gusse, who was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. His friends have organized a fundraiser during Second Saturday to help him defray the costs of his medical expenses.

2. EAGLE HOTEL — This newly renovated hotel will be open for business to serve meals in the restaurant (in case you get hungry along the walk) and will host musician Doug Rauchenstein, who will perform from 6 to 8 p.m.

3. COVER UPS — This business just recently won an award for 2012 and will host fiber artist Sandra Cook. She will provide spinning demonstrations and will have examples of hand-dyed wool, woven goods and products for sale.

4 and 5. PALMER MUSEUM/VALLEY ARTS ALLIANCE — The Palmer Museum and Valley Arts Alliance will host a reception for the exhibit “Emptying Out The Closet,” a collection of past outfits from VAA’s annual Wearable Art Show, set for Feb. 16. People are invited to stop by the Palmer Museum to decorate a mardi gras mask.

6. PALMER SAROMA KAI — Experience Japanese culture at 655 S. Valley Way.

7. GARDEN GATE — This store has been around Palmer for a while, but has relocated and set up shop closer to what us locals call Main Street. Did you know the Garden Tart had a long history of tweaking fabric, plastic and other assorted materials, while passing it off as wearable and arty? The Garden Gate cajoled her into a retrospective of sorts and she’s promised to bring some of her favorite pieces to share. And no, they are not made of twigs (although, the thought has crossed her mind).

8. NUKREATIONZ — This new art and creativity center in Palmer will offer children and the young at heart an opportunity to create Klay Hearts. From 2 to 3:30 p.m., you can decorate and embellish a clay heart that can be given away for Valentine’s Day or be used to keep brown sugar moist. This craft is free and hearts will be fired and available for pickup beginning Feb. 12 during regular business hours.

9. NON-ESSENTIALS — Non-Essentials is opening up the kitchen and will be hosting Laura Sampson, food blogger and aficionado. She will offer cooking classes at 1 and 4 p.m. on how to prepare spring rolls, salmon egg rolls and homemade siracha sauce. For more information, including registration fees, visit the NonEssentials Facebook page.

10. FIRESIDE BOOKS — Fireside Books is extending its regular business hours and will host a book signing with Cinthia Ritchie, author of “Dolls Behaving Badly,” beginning at 11:30 a.m.

11. CHICKADEE’S — This antiques/local goods/consignment shop will stay open past its regular business hours to offer the public an opportunity to browse the store. They just received a great selection of vintage cast-iron cookware.

12. RUSTY’S — This establishment will serve up tasty bits as usual and display a variety of artwork by students from Palmer High School.

Be sure to stop by and see what our younger artists in the Valley are creating.