Hmmm....May 20 and the lake is still full of ice!

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Willow is Awake!

No loons yet at the lake and duck visitations are spotty. Time to declare summer, though, with a busy weekend of events in Willow coming up on Memorial Day weekend. Willow is awake!!

Saturday, May 23, Sara and I will be set up with some pottery at Northern Spirit Rustics, where the Chaga Chicks are hosting an event including several local art vendors, one of which is WillowAK Pottery. Everything these talented and energetic ladies organize is a fun and interesting event.  Do stop by if you have a chance. There are many events taking place in Willow on Saturday: a 5K race, book fair, nature park planning meeting, museum event, and probably many more. Get out and about if you can and do stop by to say hello at 9057 N Blackie Loop in Willow, 10-:00-4:00.

Yes, I do have new pieces to glaze, but can't get to this work for a while yet. The next planned open studio event will be in July, but you're always welcome to text  (907-360-3696) to see if you can come by for a studio browse. Birch is most always happy to meet and greet, as are we when given a heads up.


Other Willow Art News: Creative Connections Showcase

Monday, May 25,  Memorial Day, you are invited to a celebration of work done in Willow's recent Art Journaling class, free to those 55+ in age.  Ten of the participants are showcasing the beautiful art they've created to preserve and share memories.  Professional artist Vanessa Powell guided the class through seven sessions of lessons...and we'd like you to see the resulting journals and hear from those who designed and created these pages of treasured memories.  This 2:00-3:00 showcase in the Library Meeting Room is informal, free, and it will impress!  Stop by on Memorial Day with a friend or two. 

Below you will see some random photos (should enlarge when you click on them) showing participants working on their projects while enjoying the benefits of sharing art ideas, supplies, and conversation. The program was sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation, Mat-Su Council on Aging, Willow Library, and Willow Library Association. The culminating event is on May 25, 2:00-3:00,  in the Willow Meeting Room at the library.  Informally visit with the artists, learn about how they created journal pages,  enjoy a cookie or two and be inspired. Creative Connections classes combine art and socialization, good for us all.

Making new friends

Combining design, color, paints, text, memories and more

Graphics galore...planning and placing

Learning, creating, visiting, sharing

There's a hidden word here

Concentration...then conversation

Focus...then fun 

Talk about talent...not a newbie to art

Creating treasures together in
 Art Journaling
Connecting with fellow community members and art

Thanks to Vanessa Powell for a fine class, to the attendees who engaged and enjoyed, 
and to the multiple sponsors who made it possible. 
Stay tuned to library news to see if another such opportunity 
will become available in Willow. 
Hope to see you at the Creative Connections Showcase, 2:00-3:00, on Memorial Day 2026



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