Contributed by the Palmer Museum of History and Art
The month of May brings exciting opportunities for the public to immerse themselves in art and history with the Palmer Museum. The museum is currently working on several projects to improve its visitor experience and connect on a deeper level with the community.
Among these, are the introduction of an audio tour, new permanent collection and temporary exhibits, and more occasions to celebrate with one another. It also marks the beginning of the museum’s transition to summer operational hours: 9:00AM -6:00PM every day.
To kick off this summer transition, the museum has some noteworthy updates to share and has planned a celebration weekend filled with art exhibits, live music and even some good old fashioned storytelling.
A few months ago, the Palmer Museum was contacted by the Rasmuson Foundation in regards to their office art program. Initially, the inquiry was about a possible loan of two of the Palmer Museum's Contemporary Art pieces.
However, after a two month long review, the museum just received notification that the foundation would like to acquire not two but rather, four pieces from the collection for an 18 month loan in which the pieces would be on display at the foundation's headquarters located in the Wells Fargo Building in Anchorage. The Palmer Museum is elated to have pieces from the collection to be recognized in such a manner and will be delivering them to the foundation on May 23rd. Those art works that will be on loan include:
"Beets" by Diane Meekin
"Snow Geese and Mt. Palmer" by Greg Gusse
"Cannibal Spirit" by Benjamin Schleifman
"Palmer Farm" by Douglas Girard
The loan will be the second time within the last year that pieces from the Palmer Museum's contemporary art collection have been publicly recognized. The first, being Gail Niebrugge's "Musk Ox” which is currently a part of the Anchorage Museum's Living Alaska traveling exhibition.
As a means of giving the art works a brief send-off and to provide an opportunity for our valley residents to get one final close up before they depart, the museum will have them on display alongside this year’s submissions being considered for the Palmer Museum’s 2016 Art Acquisition during its Annual Celebration and Palmer Midsummer Garden and Art Faire Preview Night on Saturday, May 21st from 7-9PM.
Each year, the Palmer Museum hosts a spring celebration as a means of thanking its membership and increasing awareness about its programs and events. This year, the celebration will be even better because the museum will be hosting a special preview night for the 2016 Palmer Midsummer Garden and Art Faire!
The evening's festivities will include: A beer garden hosted by Arkose Brewery, food catered by Humdinger's Gourmet Pizza, a silent auction and wine grab, games (with amazing prizes including scenic tours), and a special preview of this year's PMGAF musical performers, the release of this year's performance lineup and workshop schedule.
Guests will also be the first ones to purchase their tickets to the museum’s new annual fundraiser, the Palmer Wine Walk, which will kick off this year’s Palmer Midsummer Garden and Art Faire on Friday, July 8th, the night before the big event!
This year's annual celebration promises to deliver. The event is free to all museum members and $10 for non-members. Tickets will be available at the Palmer Museum beginning April 22nd and can be purchased on the day of the event.
For those who prefer a more subdued environment, the Palmer Museum will be turning down the volume and looking to our local residents for inspiration on Sunday, May 22nd from 7-9PM, during its celebration weekend.
Storytelling comes to the Mat-Su Valley in the tradition of Arctic Entries and The Moth. Untold Stories brings Mat-Su Valley residents to the stage to share their personal stories. At every episode, seven people each tell a seven-minute long true story about themselves relating to the show’s theme. Local musicians will perform a few songs before, during and after the performances.
Episodes of Untold Stories will occur periodically throughout the year. Each episode will feature a different theme. Beginning in May, the Palmer Museum of History and Art will be sponsoring its first episode around the theme, “May Days: Tales of Mothers, Memorials, and Milestones.”
Proceeds made from Untold Stories ticket sales go towards supporting the Palmer Museum of History and Art. Currently, all Untold Stories' regular season shows take place at Vagabond Blues. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, and can be purchased at the Palmer Museum or B Bella’s in downtown Palmer and will be available at the door on the night of the event.
For more information about the annual celebration and Untold Stories, please visit the museum’s web-site at www.palmermuseum.org.
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.