fairbanksarts.org

 

           Fairbanks has many unique and wonderful cultural events to offer throughout the year, and Fairbanks Winter Carnival is one of the best ways to enjoy them. In 1934 the first winter carnival consisted of three days packed with music, dancing, parades, sporting events and dog races.  In the early days people referred to the event as the Ice Carnival and Dog Derby.  Over the years more and more complex ice creations appeared—an ice cabin, an Eskimo holding a spear above several seals, or an ice castle. Ice sculpting as a competition took off in Fairbanks after several Chinese sculptors held an exhibition in the 1980s. Ice Alaska created the World Ice Art Championships as a way to harness the energy of sculptors while maintaining the original purpose of ice sculpting in Alaska.

              This period is also where the groundwork began for the Open North American Championship (ONAC).  Mushers from all around the Interior gathered in Alaska for friendly competitions to prove their skill in a series of intense sled dog sprint races. The event didn’t carry the clout it does today, but mushers still took extreme pride in winning. The Alaska Dog Mushers Association formalized the event in 1946 to ensure the tradition remained tied to Winter Carnival. Since then ONAC has attracted competitors from the Lower 48, Canada, Europe, and Japan. 

            Other components of the Winter Carnival continue with guidance from the Fairbanks Arts Association.  Visual, literary and, performing artists gather every March, Winter Carnival’s official month, to demonstrate their talent at Art EXPO.  The community gets the chance to meet with visual artists whose work is proudly showcased, listen to the winners of the Statewide Poetry Contest or attend workshops Fairbanks Arts Association also sponsors the famous Parka Parade, which is set to take place following ONAC.

           

The 2010 Art EXPO - A Winter Carnival, is slated for Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way. One significant change to the event this year is that we will be consolidating the event into one day, as opposed to two full days, as in years past. This fun-filled, jam packed day of activity promises to hold something for everyone. There will be Alaskan artists and vendors, food concessions, artist workshops, free children's art projects, live stage performances, the Up With Art annual FNSBSD student exhibit, and hourly door prizes. The 16th annual Statewide Poetry Contest Winner Presentations and readings will to begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Bear Gallery, 3rd floor. With suggested admission of 1 canned food item or a $2.00 donation you will receive a free art print! (While supplies last) All cans to benefit the Fairbanks Community Food Bank.

See you there!

Every culture has a story of its history, and colorful tales of arctic life woven into the fabric of the much-anticipated Parka Parade are no exception. Traditional Alaskan parkas have served as beautiful examples of a rich and colorful history. Every bead, stitch, pelt, button, tassel and embellishment represents a piece of story-telling history. This popular winter carnival "fashion show" beginning over 60 years ago is slated for Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 1:45pm on 2nd Avenue. This day of events will also showcase The Open North American, a 30-mile dog race, and a Fur Auction held in the parking lot, next to Big Ray's, between 2nd & 3rd streets, downtown. Judging for the Parka Parade will be held in the Ice Museum when entrants will model both summer and winter parkas before a panel of judges. Winners will then display their fashions on the street and compete for the People’s Choice Award. Registration will begin at 1pm on March 21st in the Ice Museum and is free and open to the public.

 

The Interior Alaska Mayors’ Awards for the Arts is an event in conjuction with Winter Carnival that seeks to showcase individuals and organizations from throughout the Interior who have contributed to the field of arts in some way. Fairbanks Arts Association and the Interior Mayors are pleased to announce the 2010 award winners:

                                                                

Fairbanks Arts Association

&

the Mayors of Interior Alaska

honor the winners of the

2010 Interior Alaska Mayors’ Awards for the Arts

 

The awards ceremony will recognize outstanding contributions in the arts, in the following categories:

 

Arts and Leadership- Jo Scott, Fairbanks

Volunteer- Penny Wakefield, Fairbanks

Arts Advocacy- Sonja Schmidt, Healy

Youth Arts- Ilah Reynar, Denali Park

Lifetime Achievement- Neville Abbott Jacobs, Fairbanks

Special Recognition in the Arts- Jinx Whitaker & Gloria Fischer, Fairbanks

 

Please join us

6:00pm, Friday March 12, 2010

Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts Theater in Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way

 

Punch & cupcake reception to follow in the Bear Gallery

Event is free and open to the public

 

r.s.v.p.

                                                                                456-6485 ext.222    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

For more information on any of our Community Arts programs, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it