The show's static and interactive displays use more than 200 19th- and early 20th-century tools, containers, weapons, watercraft and clothes to explore the scientific principles that made survival possible on the Bering Sea coast.
It next goes to the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks, where it will be seen from Dec. 13 to March 22, 2009. After that it will go on display next year from April 15 to Oct. 31 at the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. It will be at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., in 2010.
Former director of museum dies
Word has come that Robert Shalkop, who directed what was then called the Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Museum from 1972 to 1984, died Aug. 14 in Salisbury, N.C.
Shalkop's administration oversaw a major expansion of the facility in the 1970s. The collection of "old Alaskan masters" paintings that now adorn the museum's walls -- Sydney Laurence, Rockwell Kent, Eustace Ziegler -- was built up at his urging. He also saw to the acquisition of works by contemporary and up-and-coming Alaska artists such as Alvin Amason.
In addition, Walter Van Horn, the museum's collections department director, said: "The general thrust of our exhibit program (with) major summer shows about Alaska and a wide variety of exhibits in the winter to bring new material to Alaskans, developed during his tenure."
Shalkop was born July 30, 1922, in Milford. Conn. He served with the Army Air Corps in England during World War II and was an archeologist with the Smithsonian Institution before coming to Anchorage. He directed museums in four states besides Alaska, served on several national museum boards and authored numerous publications.
According to his widow, Antoinette, he died from infections contracted following heart surgery.
Veterans win honors in creative arts
Two Alaskans won top awards in last week's National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Riverside, Calif. Michael Galante of Anchorage won first place in the national art competition in the crocheting/knitting category for an elegant sweater.
Galante's knitting has previously earned him local and national awards.
Spruce Lynch of Bethel won first place in the national drama competition in the solo (dramatic) poetry category and the national creative writing competition in the short story category. Lynch also won high honors in the national drama competition in the mime category.
Galante served in the Army; Lynch in the Army and the Navy.
Click on www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov for more information about the participants and the event.
Cultural Council to address arts goals
The Anchorage Cultural Council, a local education and advocacy organization, will hold a rally at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Wildberry Theatre, 5225 Juneau St., to launch a drive to increase the capacity of local arts organizations to get more underserved youths involved in the arts.
According to a press release, "we will unveil our first year goal for additional arts funding targeted at increasing youth participation in the arts," including a "vision of a simple, low-cost, low-paper-work mechanism" to put target populations in touch with art experiences.
For more information, call 248-4336.
Russian baritone to perform arias
Up-and-coming baritone Anton Belov, a Juilliard graduate, will perform Russian songs and arias at the Steinway Piano Gallery. Pianist Svetlana Velichko, who will accompany him.
The performance will be at 8 p.m. Saturday at Steinway Piano Gallery, 637 A St.. Admission is $20. Because of limited space, music lovers should confirm by phone, 230-0280, or e-mail, Zlata@acsalaska.net.
Find Mike Dunham online at adn.com/contact/mdunham or call 257-4332.
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