When you’re busy hiking in spruce forests, fishing for king salmon, wildlife watching in Denali or cruising past massive glaciers, it can be easy to miss some of Alaska’s other treasures. But there’s more to the state than gorgeous vistas and outdoor adventures: Alaska has a heritage of distinctive arts and cultural experiences that can add color to any tour of the state.
Alaska’s artistic side comes from two major influences. In tribal areas around the state, visitors can see the homegrown artwork and cultural traditions of the numerous native groups that have lived in the area for centuries. And the incredible natural beauty of the area has also attracted numerous contemporary outdoor artists and other visionaries who use the state’s scenery as inspiration for their own artwork.
Groups will find native arts and culture at the Barnov Museum in Kodiak and the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan. In Anchorage, the Alaska Native Heritage Center highlights the traditions of many of the area’s first nations.
The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival celebrates artistic expression with two weeks’ worth of events. And in the small town of Chugiach, groups can have art experiences of their own with hands-on workshops led by experienced painters.
Silk Meets Paint
A half hour’s drive outside of Anchorage in Chugiach, professional silk artist Gina Murrow has set up a studio in a log cabin chalet overlooking a mountain stream. It’s the perfect setting to inspire her own work, and Murrow shares the inspiration with groups that participate in her Alaska Art Experiences.
Murrow’s workshops teach novices to paint silk scarves. When the weather is good, classes take place out on the deck overlooking the mountains; on less favorable days, students gather around the indoor rock fireplace. Murrow leads the group through painting northern lights-inspired designs on their silk scarves.
While the scarves are drying, participants get a meal of soup, salad and homemade bread, as well as Alaska “meltaway” cookies, all featuring fresh Alaskan ingredients. After lunch, visitors can take a tour of Murrow’s loft studio or take a short hike through the glacier-fed creek on the property.
Native Culture
Alaska’s native groups are the lifeblood of the state’s cultural scene, and groups can explore the traditions of numerous tribes at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the museum is a collaboration of the state’s 11 major cultural groups.
Visitors to the museum can see elements of native life in Alaska by walking through six life-size re-creations of traditional dwellings, all situated in a wooded area around a lake. Exhibits inside the museum highlight the history and customs of groups such as the Athabascan, Upiz, Aleut, Tlingit and Alutiiq nations.
Groups can have more enriching cultural experiences at the center by taking part in several programs available. Tribal representatives regularly offer music and dance performances, as well as storytelling sessions, artist demonstrations and other interactive opportunities. Alaskan native art classes for groups can be arranged in advance.
