If you are interested in joining the gallery as a new artist, please email us your contact information along with what type of art you create. You can also download the jury procedures and artist price list for more specific information. We jury in prospective new artists each month at our co-op meetings, held the third Wednesday at the gallery.
HISTORY
Ptarmigan Arts was originally established in 1984 by building owner Sharon McKemie and a small, but dedicated group of local artists. It was set up as both a retail cooperative gallery space as well as several "open air" studio spaces so customers could interact and view the artists at work. Along the way, this arrangement became too distracting for the artists; more local artists were interested in displaying and selling their artwork through the retail section, so it became a gallery only. In 1992, the space for the "Back Room Gallery" was renovated and a new venue for solo shows was created. Around this time, the gallery also became involved in the growing local phenomenon known as "First Fridays" and began hosting monthly artist receptions. In the mid-90's, a scholarship fund was established from contributions by the co-op artists and since then an annual award has been given to a local high school student to encourage and assist them in furthering their education in the visual arts.
CURRENT
In late 2003, the present owner, Karen East ("Jewels"), acquired the gallery and injected some new energy by implementing a major remodel in Feb. 2004, with the gracious support and help of the artists, by painting the interior walls different complimentary colors and re-shuffling the display spaces around the gallery, creating a new feel and look to the place overall. Through the intervening years, we have, of course, gained many new artists, but have also, unfortunately, seen many old friends go. Last year, another influx of energy was introduced by the creation of committees, by which artists could become more involved in certain tasks, projects and decision-making associated with creating a more co-operative business model, feeding off the individual, as well as collective, knowledge and experience our 40 artists have to offer. Since then, we have accomplished another smaller remodel of our main gallery room, opening up the center for more visibility and flow, as well as making the building more energy efficient by closing off and insulating some very old, leaky windows. These new committees now offer help with: bringing in new artists to the co-op, guiding them through our jury process and finding display space for them; organizing Back Room Gallery Shows and First Friday receptions; fund raising ideas for our annual scholarship award; new marketing, advertising and promotional ideas for the gallery; as well as physically creating new signage for the building, beautifying the premises with flowers and doing general landscape maintenance.
The co-op gallery offers local artists an excellent venue to display their artwork year-round, have camaraderie with other working artists, have direct contact with customers, have the freedom to expand their individual creativity, as well as strive for individual economic prosperity. As a cooperative, we support and encourage local Alaskan artists to display and market their own artwork in a sharing and trusting environment.
Currently, we have 35 Alaskan artists actively involved in the gallery. The range of media we display in the gallery are: watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, wax encaustic paintings, batiks, photography, jewelry, fiber/wearable arts, baskets, pottery, hand-crafted wood items, stained and fused glass, Alaskan fine art prints and cards. View all the artists and their art style here. All are artistically displayed, easily accessible and reasonably priced. We welcome you to browse the gallery and support our local Alaskan artist community. Being a cooperative, each artist contributes time to the daily workforce of the gallery, so please come in and visit with us, ask questions, learn something new and allow us to help you out with your purchases by providing our own artist expertise on art.
The Back Room Gallery has become an excellent exhibition space for monthly group, solo and collaborative shows. If you are an artist who is interested in exhibiting your own work, we are currently accepting proposals for future shows. If you are interested, please download a show proposal for further details.
"First Fridays" have grown exponentially through the years and we are now one among seven local art galleries that host monthly art openings and artist receptions. Join us from 5 to 7 pm on the first Friday of each month for this wonderful, local social event where you can not only checkout new shows, but also meet the artists and discuss their artwork with them as well as socialize with friends, family and guests. Don't miss what's happening in this and upcoming months in our Back Room Gallery.
LOCATION
Ptarmigan Arts is located in scenic and charming downtown Homer, Alaska at 471 Pioneer Avenue near City Hall, a short walk from a myriad of other shops, restaurants and other attractions. We are open year round daily from 10 to 6 pm. (except on major holidays).
We accept all major credit cards. Shipping is available and we offer free gift-wrapping for purchases in the gallery.
For further inquiries, please contact the gallery at 907-235-5345 or use our contact form.