PRATT MUSEUM

established in 1968

Museum Macabre: The Pratt Files

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October 7 – 29, 2016

img_7014Like many historic institutions that emerged in the latter half of the 21st century, the Pratt has a lurid, less well-known founding mission: to document the undocumented and unexplained, specifically the extraterrestrial alien unknown. Due to filing issues, the shuffle of organizational merges and departmental shifts, the original founding documents and primary collections of the Pratt Museum were lost over time. However, a recent inventory and re-housing project uncovered several objects that shifted the entire paradigm of our understanding for the museum’s collections. This exhibit shares a few of the stories associated with Kachemak Bay’s extraterrestrial history over the last century. . . . Or does it? Join us for October 7-29, and see if you can distinguish between fact or fiction!

Ritz Auction Preview 2016

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Opening Reception: Friday, October 7, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.2016-ritz-flyer

Visit the Pratt Museum Special Exhibits Gallery during October to preview artwork to be included in the 31st Annual Ritz Art & Experience Auction. The dinner and auction event, which will be held on Saturday, November 5 at Wasabi’s, will include a live and silent auction, featuring artwork and other items donated by artists, businesses and individuals throughout Alaska. All funds raised at the Ritz will help the Pratt Museum continue to increase the diversity and quality of its exhibits and programs. Plan your bidding early!

 

Inspired by Diaries – Call for Art

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Have you ever kept a diary or journal? Had the opportunity to peruse the personal writing of your ancestors? Several diaries and journals are held in the collections of the Pratt Museum: their stories range from weather reports and moose sightings to extended narrative and personal reflection. Often the written word leaves much to be imagined, and could serve as a jumping-off point for something more.

The Pratt Museum is extending a call for works of art in any medium, inspired by personal diaries or journals. The source could be your own writings, a family member’s, a willing friend, or diaries held by the Pratt. Join us for a discussion of the project, peruse Pratt diaries by Kachemak area pioneers, and get your creative juices flowing, on September 7, from 5-6pm. Art work for the exhibit is due at the Pratt on November 1, 2016, exhibit opens November 11 and runs through December 31.

For additional guidelines and submission details, please visit the project page.

Heartfelt and Handmade

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The soaring framework for the workshop porch roof looks a bit like a breaching humpback whale.

The soaring framework for the workshop porch roof looks a bit like a breaching humpback whale.

August 5 – October 1, 2016

The Dean farmstead reflects “Life as Art” – from functional artworks including handmade tools and implements, aesthetically designed and crafted structures, furniture, and housewares, to representational and more abstract artworks inspired by nature and farm life. “Heartfelt and Handmade” shows not only Jeff and Ranja’s skillful artistry, but also a glimpse inside their thoughtfully crafted and unique home.

Jeff Dean was born and raised in Fairbanks and exposed to art and innovation from an early age. He’s been a working sculptor since the late 70’s, making fine art and functional pieces in clay, wood, bronze, stone, steel and other materials. “I’m also a bit of an inventor and tinkerer. I bring my creativity and artistic background to each project at hand, be it artwork, a new tool, a curved rafter, computer programming, or even a solar thermal heating system.”

Girl with Rooster

Girl with Rooster

Ranja Dean grew up in the Tennessee hills among a menagerie of art, animals and gardens. Her father was an artist and a professor of horticulture and landscape design.He painted, wrote poetry and made the most amazing gardens. She is self taught with no formal education but has been developing her creative character since childhood. She loves the magic of life and it shows in her work, giving it a fairytale appeal whether it be an apple tree dollhouse, a garden, a sculpture or a chicken house.

See more exhibit images at the Creative Fires Studio website.