Contributed by Selena Ortega-Chiolero
Winter is here and yet, that doesn’t mean you have to stay home. As we begin a new year, the Palmer Museum has an exciting new traveling exhibit on display and plenty of public programs scheduled to keep those winter blues away.
Beginning on January 4th, the Museum’s traveling exhibit, Apron Strings: Ties to the Past, will be completely installed and on display. Although taken for granted by many social and art historians, the apron is the subject of a fascinating reevaluation in this popular ExhibitsUSA exhibition. Featuring 51 vintage and contemporary examples, Apron Strings: Ties to the Past reviews the apron’s role as an emotionally charged vehicle for expression with a rich and varied craft history that is still viable today. The exhibit will be on display at the Palmer Museum through March of 2017 and includes additional aprons from the Museum’s collections as well as from a few of its Board of Directors.
To help celebrate the exhibit, the Museum will be hosting a storytelling event entitled, If These Aprons Could Talk, on February 19th from 6:30 – 8:30PM at Vagabond Blues in downtown Palmer. During the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to hear stories from members of the community who hold professions where an aprons are required. Those in attendance are also encouraged to wear one of their own personal aprons to share with others during the event. The entrance fee to If These Aprons Could Talk is by donation at the door and all proceeds will go towards supporting the Museum’s 2017 temporary exhibit program. Visit the Museum’s website at www.palmermuseum.org for further details.
In support of January’s Second Saturday, the Museum will be working with several local artists to bring the return of the Palmer Artist’s Studio Tour. On Saturday, January 14th from 2:00 – 6:00PM, several artists will be opening up their private studios to allow visitors a more in depth look into an artist’s creative process and work space. Visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn details about each artist’s work and get helpful tips if they too are an artist in the making. Participating artists include: members of the Palmer Chapter of the American Sewing Guild, Sandra Cook (ceramic and fiber art), John Coyne (painting), Patrick Garley (bronze and metal sculpture), Rose Hendrickson (painting), Niki Jordan (glass art), Tremani Suteliffe (painting and photography) and Colleen Wake (metal sculpture).
Most artists will have selections of their work available to purchase and light appetizers will be served. The Studio Tour begins at the Palmer Museum where attendees are encouraged to meet and carpool, or even make a day of it by beginning with a late lunch or ending with an early dinner at one of Palmer’s local eateries. Be sure to visit the Museum’s event Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/events/1849925695288723/ for updated information and details on the event.
Also in January, storytelling comes to the Mat-Su Valley in the tradition of Arctic Entries and The Moth with the next episode of the Palmer Museum’s Untold Stories. Originally beginning in May of 2016, the Museum developed the event so that it could bring together Mat-Su Valley residents to share their personal stories: funny, sad and sweet.
At every episode (performance), seven people each tell a seven-minute long true story about themselves relating to the show’s theme. Local musicians perform a few songs before, during and after the performances. Proceeds made from Untold Stories ticket sales go towards supporting the Palmer Museum of History and Art’s events and programs. January’s episode theme is Alaska and Me: How It All Began and will be held at the Palmer Depot (610 S. Valley Way) on January 14th from 6:00 – 8:00PM. Staff from the Palmer Downtown Deli will also be selling snacks and refreshments. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students with I.D. and are available at the Palmer Museum and B Bella Hair Salon. Be sure to purchase your tickets early as all past shows have been sold out.
So, chase those winter blues away by grabbing a friend or family member and coming down to Palmer this January to join the Palmer Museum as we celebrate craft history, local art and the art of storytelling! For more information about any of the Palmer Museum’s exhibits or events, please visit the museum web-site at www.palmermuseum.org or contact a member of the museum staff at 746-7668.
About PMHA:
The Palmer Museum of History and Art is a non-profit museum that serves the community of Palmer in preserving and sharing the history and art of the Palmer region. The museum’s collections contain items that best depict region’s art history, exploration, settlement, agriculture, and trade, cultural and social development. During the summer, May 1st through September 30th, the museum also serves a Palmer’s Visitor’s Center and is open seven days a week from 9:00AM to 6:00PM. The museum also operates during the winter months from October 1st through April 30th, Wednesday through Friday, 10:00AM to 5:00PM and second Saturdays of the month, 10:00AM to 6:00PM.