When planning a trip to Alaska the top activities always involve the outdoors. This is entirely natural, as the outdoors very much define Alaska. However, there is a cultural heartbeat to the land as well, and many native Alaskans who were born here or moved here after falling in love with the place, try to communicate the appeal of that land through art. With a huge number of tourists travelling through every summer, many Alaskan artists are able to devote themselves to their work, and the long winters enable a real concentration of effort. The result is some fantastic artwork.

There are a surprising number of Alaska art galleries, considering the sparse population. Of course the explosion of visitors in the summer helps explain why. Most can be found in the major cities, though some are in the popular tourist spots, or smaller communities. Depending on your tastes, here are some of the best:

Representational Art:

Norman Lowell Studio and Gallery, Norman Lowell Dr. Off Sterling Hwy, Homer
Ptarmigan Arts, 471 E. Pioneer Ave., Homer
Art Shop Gallery, 202 Pioneer Ave., Homer
Artique, 314 G St.,Anchorage
New Horizons Gallery, 519 1st. St., Fairbanks
Juneau Artists Gallery, 175 S. Franklin St., Juneau
Decker Gallery, 233 S. Franklin St. Juneau
Fisherman’s Eye Fine Art Gallery, 239 Lincoln St., Sitka
Sitka Rose Gallery, 419 Lincoln St., Sitka
Dockside Gallery, 5 Salmon Landing, Ketchikan
Exploration Gallery, 633 Mission St., Ketchikan
Native Traditional Art:

4th Ave. Market Place, Anchorage
The Rusty Harpoon, 411 W.4th Ave., Anchorage
Alaska Native Arts Foundation Gallery, 6th Ave. Anchorage
Arctic Travellers Gift Shop, 201 Cushman St., Fairbanks
The Ravens Journey, 435 S. Franklin St., Juneau
Sheldon Jackson Museum Gift Shop, 104 College Dr., Sitka
Alaska Eagle Arts, 5 Creek St., Ketchikan
Eagle Spirit Gallery of Ketchikan, 310 Mission St., Ketchikan
Contemporary Art:

Bunnell Street Gallery, 106 W. Bunnell Ave., Homer
International Gallery of Contemporary Art, 427 D Street, Anchorage
Rie Munoz Gallery, 2101 Jordan Ave. Juneau
Main Stay Gallery, 716 Totem Way, Ketchikan
Soho Coho, 5 Creek St., Ketchikan
Besides these galleries in the major centres, there are many others in smaller communities and tourist destinations. If you are planning a trip to Alaska, be sure to set some time aside to explore a few of these galleries, and see how native Alaskans interpret the land that surrounds them.

Alaska is a place that creates and attracts artists. Partly it may be due to the mystique of the north; a harsh land that overwhelms and reminds us of our mortality. It may also be due to the winters that are so long, and allow hours of reflection and a chance to hone one’s craft. For some, it may be due to the increased sense of isolation, living on one of the world’s last frontiers. Whatever it is, Alaska art galleries are a chance for outsiders to see the end result of that deep current of creativity that runs through this incredible land.

About the Author – Jan Hanna
For more information on Alaska and Alaska art galleries, please visit: http://www.AllAlaskaGuides.com

Jan Hanna is a travel writer who prefers to winter in the Caribbean, but can’t say enough about Alaska in the summer.