The Anchorage Museum has released the names of the artists selected for this year’s “All Alaska Biennial” exhibit, opening Feb. 5 in Anchorage. This highly competitive exhibition drew 594 submissions by 136 Alaska artists. Guest juror Jen Budney selected 41 artworks by 27 different artists for the exhibition.
Rachael Juzeler, of Juneau, is the only Southeast Alaskan selected for the exhibit. Her piece is a mixed media work titled “Alder in the rain [summer].”
Budney awarded the $1,000 Juror’s Choice Award to Toksook Bay artist John Kailukiak for his artwork titled “Alakam Cikiutiik (Carrie’s Gifts).” The $500 Merit Award was given to Amy Meissner of Anchorage, and three $250 Merit Awards were given to Beth Blankenship, Matt Johnson and Lily Weed, all of Anchorage.
All Alaska Biennial celebrates contemporary work that explores the North, its people, materials and landscapes, through a variety of interpretations, and is designed to encourage the creation of new works by Alaska artists in all media.
The exhibit is funded in part by a grant from the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Anchorage Museum Association, and the Municipality of Anchorage.
Here is the full list of included artists: Beth Blankenship, Anchorage; Linda Brady Farr, Anchorage; Honore Buckley, Anchorage; Thomas Chung, Anchorage; Michael Conti, Anchorage; Don Decker, Anchorage; Julie Drake, Anchorage; Annie Duffy, Fairbanks; Mary Ann Dunham, Anchorage; Hal Gage, Anchorage; Elizabeth Irving, Fairbanks; Matt Johnson, Anchorage; Rachael Juzeler, Douglas; John Kailukiak, Toksook Bay; Margo Klass, Fairbanks; Emily Longbrake, Palmer; Holly McQuinn, Anchorage; Amy Meissner, Anchorage; Meike Paniza, Anchorage; Paula Payne, Cordova; David Pettibone, Anchorage; Cole Robbins, Anchorage; Jessica Swider, Palmer; Antoinette Walker, Kodiak; Michael Walsh, Homer; Lily Weed, Anchorage; and Sheila Wyne, Anchorage.