2 Sitkans Receive
Rasmuson Grants
For Art Projects
Two Sitkans are among the 36 recipients of Rasmuson Foundations Individual Artist Awards.
Project Awards, worth $7,500, support emerging, mid-career and mature artists in specific, short-term projects.
Merritt Johnson will create sculptures, employing weaving, casting and found objects in addition to paintings and work on paper. Johnson says the work considers the connection of female-identifying bodies and land as “locations of creation and sites of resistance and struggle.”
Larisa Manewal, a visual artist, will create a body of work that includes photography, interviews and more to amplify the Panhandle perspective on Pacific herring.
The Foundation announced 10 $18,000 Fellowships and 25 Project Awards of $7,500. Recipients were selected from a pool of nearly 300 applicants by a national panel of artists and creative community leaders from outside of Alaska. Many of the awardees had never applied before.
Juneau writer Ernestine Saankaláxt’ Hayes was previously announced as the 2021 Distinguished Artist recipient.
Rasmuson Foundation has recognized exceptional Alaska artists with individual grant awards since 2004. The program now has made a total of 588 grants to individual Alaska artists: 416 Project Awards, 154 Fellowships and 18 Distinguished Artist awards totaling almost $5.6 million.
Emblem Club
Meeting on Tap
The Sitka Emblem Club will hold its fall social meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Elks Lodge.
Quilters to Meet
Ocean Wave Quilters will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at United Methodist Church and via Zoom. Masks are required for those attending in person.
Monthly meetings, September through June, are open to all, members or not. Those wishing to pay the $25 dues receive a monthly newsletter, discounts on classes and other benefits.
For more information call President Sarah Jordan at 738-7272.
Presenters Sought
For Travel Series
The Sitka Public Library is seeking presenters for the Armchair Travel Series. Shows will be 6 p.m. Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 20, March 17, April 21 and May 19.
The virtual shows will be about 20 to 25 minutes. Help is available to put a program together if needed. Contact Jeff at jbudd3500@gmail.com or call 747-4821 for more information.
SOS Lifeline
Group to Meet
Sitka Outreach and Support (SOS): Lifeline Group will meet via Zoom 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23.
The collaborative community addresses the needs of people experiencing poverty and/or homelessness. For information, contact Julia Smith at 738-6336/eastergroupsitka@gmail.com. The public is invited to attend.
Grab and Go
Bags Available
Sitka Public Library will offer a Grab & Go bag program in October with free crafts for preschoolers. Bags will be ready on Oct. 9, 16, 23 and 30, and participants can pick them up anytime during the week.
The program is for ages 3 to 5. Registration begins Sept. 26 at 747-4020 and is required. Space is limited.
Trick or Read
Event at Library
Sitka Babies and Books will offer a Trick or Read Halloween curbside program between 11 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Sitka Public Library.
Call 747 4020 to register a child and reserve a free new Halloween book and a bag with art supplies to work on projects related to the festivity. Costumes are welcome.
For information contact Maite at 747-4022.
FV Drill Conductor
Training in Sitka
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a fishing vessel drill conductor class 8 a.m. Sept. 26, at the Public Safety Training Academy, 877 Sawmill Creek Road. The cost for the class is $125 for commercial fishermen and $185 for all others. Register online at www.amsea.org or call 747-3287.
It meets the U.S. Coast Guard training requirements for drill conductors on commercial fishing vessels.
Participants can gain hands-on training with marine safety equipment and learn best practices for surviving emergencies at sea. AMSEA is offering this class at a reduced cost to commercial fishermen with support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, and AMSEA members.
St. Peter’s Updates
Services, Programs
St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church holds Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. in-person and 10 a.m. on Zoom. Masks are required for in-person services.
The church is open daily for anyone to stop in for a time of quiet, rest, and prayer.
Books and Conversations will restart noon Monday, Sept. 20. Attendees meet weekly, on zoom, to discuss a video storytelling series called ‘‘Traveling the Way of Love.’’
All are invited to join in for any of the offerings. For information, check out the website at stpeters-sitka.org, or contact the church office at stpetersbytheseak@gmail.com or 747-3977. The church is located at 611 Lincoln Street.
