Visit Sitka Magazine 2021-22 | Page 22

ACTIVITIES

Art Around the Corner

SITKANS DEEPLY VALUE ART AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION . Here , you don ’ t even have to visit a museum to enjoy local artwork ; you can just walk around town . From statues made of recycled materials , to handpainted buoys and striking wall murals , there ’ s something new to see on every corner .
With playful linework and a kaleidoscope of color , it ’ s hard to miss the 1,000-squarefoot mural on the west wall of Market Center ( top image ), Sitka ’ s small downtown grocery store . Completed in 2016 by local artist Cara Murray , “ Everything Comes to Life ” brings us closer to our food and where it comes from . In Sitka , artists like Cara have left their mark around town .
Kija Elstad ’ s first mural , an homage to our undersea neighbors , was created with help from her younger son , as well as the occasional bystander . The breathtaking piece can be viewed on the side of Harry Race Pharmacy , Photo & Soda Shop ( bottom right image ).
Keith Gibson repurposes recycled materials , such as glass bottles and boat windshields , to make eye-catching sculptures . Stop by the atrium of the Alaska Raptor Center ( center left image ) to see two of his bald eagles frozen mid-battle .
Don ’ t miss the two 100-foot-long murals on Katlian Street ’ s Sitka Cold Storage facility ( center right image ). The project was a collaborative effort between artists Ray Troll , Roberto Salas , Will Burkhart , Guillermo Jauregui , and high school students Lisa Teas and Cory Welsh . Walk over to Japonski Island for a complete view of these fish-inspired works .
When you ’ re walking through the streets of Sitka , slow down and take in your surroundings – you ’ re sure to find a pop of color or a local artist ’ s labor of love all around you .
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