May First Friday

We're pleased to feature two wonderful artists, Vonnie Gaither and Kate Goodell for the month of May! Please join us this First Friday, May 4 from 5-7 pm to take in their beautiful work and enjoy live music by musician Kenny Blackwell.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, painter Vonnie Gaither moved to Anchorage in 1970. Her vibrant art has been exhibited statewide in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Girdwood. She says her dream came true when her paintings traveled beyond the borders of Alaska. She participated in a First Friday Exhibit at October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has exhibited at Ninth Life Gallery in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. She also won an award in the SOHO international Art Competition in New York! Her work currently is exhibited in several local office buildings, hospitals, and galleries.

A retired CPA, Kate Goodell now explores her creative side by designing jewelry. Born and raised in Alaska, she brings a broad range of life experiences, from exploring remote locations in the Alaska wilderness to traversing Europe, Central and South America in pursuit of a greater understanding of history and culture. From early childhood she has collected rocks, shells and beach glass, developing a love for geology. Her Viking heritage led her to an enchantment with ancient wire-weaving techniques. Kate's modern designs use only the finest materials available, such as sterling silver and gold filled or gold vermeil, and incorporate hand selected precious and semi-precious stones, pearls and crystals from around the world.

Our May non-profit is Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska. Their missions is to support Alaskans affected by Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and to ensure quality of life until a cure is found. They are committed to providing information, education support and services to frail elders, individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) and their caregivers. Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska have served Alaskans since 1984 and works in over 200 communities statewide.

Be sure to check out their upcoming event, Amblin' for Alzheimer's, and to give generously to this important organization.

Celebrate Spring with April First Friday

Please join us for First Friday on April 6, from 5-7 and enjoy work by two wonderful featured artists. Have a snack and enjoy the music of guitarist Jeannie McLeod.

Featured painter Debby Bloom is intrigued by color and the amazing results of a simple brush stroke. Bold or delicate, washed or opaque, her work tends to represent an exaggerated and often quirky view of our world. Especially in Alaska, where vistas are grand, animals are wild, and encounters often extreme, her paintings embrace the boldness of a life spent in the far North. Everywhere she goes, people ask her to paint their pets, and commissioned portraits of beloved dogs, horses or cats are welcome requests.

Scharine Kirchoff

Artist Scharine Kirchoff has been passionate about textiles and botanical sources of color since early childhood. She practices botanical dyeing and printing, a technique in which she captures a sense of place and time with colors and designs sourced from nature. Scharine has lived in Anchorage since 1969. She was born in Okinawa, Japan and is the 4th generation to carry on her family textile tradition. We are in love with her scarves, clothing, handbags and men's ties.

We're heralding the spring season with lots of new finds, including lightweight, colorful clothing, straw beach hats, fascinators, wooden and paper jewelry, bright felt slippers, leather handbags and more! We are also excited to welcome artists Judith Hoersting and Sandra Harrington to the gallery. Judith's spring inspired paintings are just the thing to brighten your walls and your life! Sandra's contemporary mixed media pieces just keep getting bigger and better.

Our non-profit of the month is Alaska Public Media. Alaska Public Media harnesses the power of multiple media platforms to make a more informed and connected life possible for all Alaskans. Alaska Public Media produces and presents news and content that provides life long learning opportunities in public affairs, health and leisure, science and nature, economic and social development, civic engagement and world events. The company is located in Southcentral Alaska and is comprised of KSKA radio, KAKM-TV, Create TV, PBS KIDS, and alaskapublic.org. Alaska Public Media and its affiliates deliver content that reaches 97% of the population of Alaska. We're proud to partner with them this month. Give a listen for the 2 Friends Gallery support message on KSKA 91.1 this month and next, and be sure to give generously to this important organization.

We look forward to seeing you in the gallery as we all enjoy the shifting of the seasons.

Grand Estate Jewelry Sale

Join us this Sunday, March 25 from 12-5 pm for a very special estate jewelry sale. 

This is a once in a lifetime collection featuring fine gold and gem stone pieces as well as high end fashion jewelry collected from the 1940's to the present. There will also be many silver pieces, including some by Lisa McCormick and Denise Wallace.

Tea will be served in vintage tea cups which will also be available to purchase.

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February News & Featured Artists

There is so much to celebrate in February! Love is in the air, sunlight is returning, and the gallery is full of items to keep you warm and warm the hearts of those you love. Come in and see our selection of Valentine's cards, hearts, jewelry and gifts for your sweetheart. We also have plenty of hats and mittens for these cold winter days, and cheerful dresses and lightweight jackets for your next warm weather escape.

This month we are excited to feature three amazing artists. Polly Lewis is a fiber artist extraordinaire known for her beautiful handbags, pins, cuffs and cellphone holders made from antique kimono fabric. The detail and color are simply breathtaking.

Painter Mark McDermott grew up on the East Coast and migrated to Alaska permanently in 1977. His original watercolors are fascinating and capture the landscapes of Alaska perfectly. His world travels have also influenced his work, and he was a 2011 Artist in Residence at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Deborah Deal is known for her spectacular glass work. Whether a glass slipper or a bouquet of wildflowers, her work will be sparkling in a window, tabletop or custom niche! As an artist, she is a delight to work with and is consistently striving to improve. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind delight!

Our February non-profit is Hope Community Resources. Established in 1967, Hope Community Resources is now Alaska's largest provider of services for individuals who experience a developmental disability. Today, they support over 700 children, adults and their families throughout seven regional areas: Anchorage, Barrow, Dillingham, Juneau, Kodiak, Seward and Wasilla. Anchorage is Hope's largest regional operation, actively serving 447 people. 2 Friends Gallery will match your donation to this very worthy organization!

January First Friday & Post Holiday Sale

2 Friends is kicking off 2018 with two featured artists for First Friday, and a big post holiday sale to help make room for our latest finds. Join us this First Friday from 5-7 pm and take in the beautiful works of painter Vladimir Zhikhartsev and clay artist Michael Anderson.

Vladimir Zhikhartsev came from Providenijya, Russia in 1996 to carve ice. His formal education was in Russia, but for the past 22 years he has been teaching and working from his home studio in Fairbanks. Vladimir continues to participate and judge ice art competitions all around the world. He is also the current president of the Fairbanks Watercolor Society. We are beyond excited to show his paintings in the gallery and think you will absolutely fall in love with his gorgeous work!

Bird Vessel by Michael Anderson

If you haven't seen Michael Anderson's large installations around Alaska or the lower 48, hopefully you've seen his magnificent Alaska motif pottery here in the gallery. For the month of January we will be featuring his work, including birds, sea life, mugs and urns. From small bowls to large, lidded vessels, each brilliantly original piece will delight you!

Don't miss our fabulous post holiday sale, which includes:

All clothing: 30% off  (including already marked down items)
Holiday items: 60% off
Hats: 30% off
Alaska Native art: 30% off
Misc. items: 50 -75% off

Our January non-profit is the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America. One of the greatest philanthropic organizations in the world is Shriners Hospital for Children. The Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America plays a big part in supporting this philanthropy. Our local chapter has worked tirelessly since 1969 for Alaska kids. Most of the money raised is used to transport kids along with a parent or guardian from Anchorage to Shriners Outreach Clinics or a Shriners Hospital for treatment. Children are treated regardless of the family's ability to pay.

Their annual silent/live auction event will be held on March 3, 2018 at the Al Aska Shrine building, located at 1930 E. Northern Lights Blvd. They will be having a Hawaiian theme this year. 2 Friends Gallery usually buys a table and we know it to be a fantastic event. Please consider donating auction items, and attending the event if you are able. To offer assistance or purchase tickets call Clara King at 227-8412 or e-mail her at princessone@ak.net. Hope to see you there!

December First Friday & Holiday Shopping

It's the most wonderful time of the year: time to fully immerse ourselves in holiday merriment! This First Friday, December 1, from 5 - 7,  2 Friends will feature the outstanding choir from Tudor Elementary School, along with cookies and hot cider to keep you warm and sated for your holiday shopping.

Through the Anchorage School District, schools partner with local business to help community understanding and school/community relationships. 2 Friends Gallery works to meet the needs of Tudor Elementary through book drives, clothing drives and hands on help in the school. We're delighted to welcome the chorus into the gallery for the holidays!

In addition to the live music, you will find plenty to inspire holiday cheer at 2 Friends this month. We're featuring gorgeous Ayala Bar jewelry from Israel, Isolde Gibson's latest owl creations, Bill Campbell pottery, whimsical glass plates by Solveig Studios, and charming and unique kimono hair clips. The gallery is also full of items to help you trim your tree in style and bring a festive air to your home. We have ornaments that range from silly to elegant, from woodland creatures to unicorns, to delicate glass bobbles. Don't miss the old fashioned stockings, dyed wood shaving wreathes, and holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list.

We're open extended hours through Christmas:

Monday - Friday: 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday:  10 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm

We will be closed December 25 - January 4.

The entire staff sends you their Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday greetings and best wishes for the New Year! Thank you for shopping small business. We hope we can help make your holidays just a bit more magical!

November First Friday

This is a First Friday for animal lovers!  Please join us on Friday, November 3, from 4-7 pm as we celebrate with noted Alaska photographer David Jensen. David and his dog Layla will be on hand with all four of his books, including his two latest: Puppy Me Love and Paws on the Trail.

November also heralds the beginning of the holiday season at the gallery, and we are ready to help you get into the spirit with new ornaments, holiday clothing, hats, gloves, mistletoe and much more! Chanukah begins on December 12th, and we have lovely menorahs, candles, gelt, dreidels and plenty of gift ideas to make this year special.

Our November non-profit is Tudor Elementary School. Over the last 2 years we have had a successful book drive for their library, raised money for field trips and collected winter gear for their students. The Tudor Elementary choir will be performing at the gallery this holiday season. This year we will once again be providing winter gear for their students.

We are excited to welcome this season of joy, community, and giving. Despite the hustle and bustle of the season, we hope you find a moment or two to reflect on your blessings, and give what you can to those who in need.

October Happenings

For our featured artist in October we are proud to host a one-woman show of whimsical ceramic sculptures by longtime local artist Gina Hollomon. For the first time in many years Gina has been back working in her studio, and we're beyond delighted to show you her latest work!

Also new in the gallery this month is a fresh selection of clothing and accessories that are just right for the shifting seasons. We have coats, sweaters, layering pieces, scarves, and jewelry to help you greet the cooler weather in style.

Our non-profit for October is the Anchorage Concert Association. Founded in 1950 by a group of classical music enthusiasts, its goal was to bringing the finest classical musicians to perform for the people of Anchorage. Today, their purpose includes presenting internationally acclaimed artists from the entire spectrum of the performing arts in Alaska. The ACA's public performances and outreach activities entertain, uplift, educate and inspire audiences, students, and local artists. Please support the arts!

September First Friday

This First Friday, 2 Friends welcomes three new friends to the gallery! Join us on Friday, September 1, from 5 - 7 pm for First Friday, featuring artists Eleanor McMahon, Karmen Staveland, and Tamara Johannes.

Eleanor McMahon is best known for her oil landscapes of Day Harbor, a remote coastal wilderness in Kenai Fjords National Park. Eleanor's fascination with mountains, water, and the ever changing light has kept her out in the cold wind for many summers.

Karmen Staveland

Tamara Johannes

An oil painter from Eagle River, Karmen Staveland has been exploring abstract ideas this past year. This group of paintings developed out of an emotional experience, and Karmen uses expressive brushwork, a palette knife, and rich color to share her thoughts and feelings.

Tamara Johannes is a multi-media artist who focuses most of her time on glass fusing. Her most recent works are something she calls "Glass on Glass Painting." Her process involves the use of old masters' techniques, including staining, etching, and masking with glass enamels in multiple layers. Pieces are then fired at high temperatures in a kiln. The process of adding and removing glass creates interesting layers and depth.

Other gallery highlights this month include a fresh selection of ivory carvings, new clothing by Effie's Heart, summer sale items, and some new merchandise coming in for the fall season.

The non-profit of the month for September is Hospice of Anchorage. Founded in 1980, Hospice of Anchorage is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and a partner agency of the United Way of Anchorage. They are a community agency comprised of an interdisciplinary team – volunteers, nurses, social service coordinators, bereavement coordinators and chaplains – who provide assistance to meet the transition from life through death and to cope with loss and grief. All services are provided at no cost.

Happy end of summer! We hope you stop in to celebrate, and look forward to seeing you in the gallery as the weather starts to turn.

August First Friday

Please join us Friday, August 4 from 5 - 7 pm for First Friday, featuring artists Rod Weagant and Marianne Wieland.

Rod Weagant, who is known as a "painter's painter" has spent the last four decades combining plein air and studio painting to explore his passion for wild landscapes. His work reflects both his formal training as a painter, and his raw, emotional response to his environment.

Marianne Wieland is an Alaska painter who is also known for her plein air landscapes. She enjoys the challenge of working outside, within the limitations of constantly changing light and weather. We are excited to feature new works in oil by both artists.

A percentage of this month's proceeds will go to our featured August non-profit, The Alaska Zoo. The Alaska Zoo has provided a home for orphaned, injured and captive-born animals for over four decades. It is dedicated to promoting conservation of Arctic, sub-Arctic and like climate species through education, research and community enrichment. Be sure to contribute to our donation jar, and stop by for First Friday, where rumor has it you may have an opportunity to say hello to a visiting zoo animal!