Wasilla Museum hosts Alaskan cartoonist for Night at the Museum Summer Series

WASILLA — Alaskan cartoonist Lee Post recently led an introductory cartooning class for the Wasilla Museum and Visitor Center’s annual Night at the Museum Summer Series.

Every Wednesday, local experts from various fields bring their talents and experience to the Wasilla Museum. Each year offers something new. Classes range from gardening tips and sewing classes to book writing and food preservation.

The 2022 Night at the Museum schedule runs through July 27. Post’s class was held around the halfway point of the series. Numerous children and families attended the event, etching out their own comics through various creative prompts and exercises. He said his class was very engaged and it was fun to see all the ideas they came up with.

“The kids were amazing. They’re all very smart,” Post said.

Post said his class was all about giving beginners an opportunity to learn the basics of cartooning while offering creative thinking skills to those with experience so they can stay inspired and keep drawing. He regularly teaches youth art classes and strives to encourage as many young artists as he can, saying that no matter the medium, art greatly helps any developing mind.

“I want the kids to be able to develop confidence in their own abilities and visual language for themselves,” Post said.

Post currently lives in Anchorage, but he grew up in the Valley and graduated from Colony High School. He said that he enjoys coming back to his hometown, especially when he has an opportunity to help inspire the next generation of artists. He said that he appreciates what the Wasilla Museum has to offer with this growing education platform.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Post said.

Museum aid Megan Bruckner said that Night at the Museum has been going very well this summer. She said they’re ultimately looking to expand the program in various ways such as adding a series for the winter months.

“We’re planning to build on this,” Bruckner said.

While overall participation varies week to week, Bruckner said that no matter the class size, she noticed that the participants are very engaged in the learning process.

“People come with a lot of curiosity and interest and their own life experiences,” Bruckner said. “It’s just a great way to learn about the resources and talents in the community and people seem to appreciate that,” Bruckner said.

For more information about the Wasilla Museum and upcoming activities, call 907-373-9071 or visit cityofwasilla.gov/services/departments/museum.

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