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Alaska's Top Art and Creative Experience at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival

Serving as the gateway to the vast expanses of Northern Alaska, Fairbanks is a one-of-a-kind city that offers a summer experience unlike anywhere else. Featuring 22 hours of sunlight during the summer and an extensive list of things to do, Fairbanks is ready to help you enjoy the vacation of a lifetime!

 

Thanks in part to being Alaska’s second largest population center, and having the distinction of being the final big city on the way to the northern half of the state, Fairbanks offers a unique set of activities and attractions for all travelers. Denali National Park sits in close proximity and offers you the opportunity for just about any outdoor activity you can imagine, from scaling rocky cliffs to photographing the vast variety of wildlife. Guided tours in Fairbanks are second to none and are offered by airplane, boat or car. Aside from the outdoor activities, Fairbanks features a rich culture and history. You’ll encounter some great museums and exhibits to enjoy like the University of Alaska Museum of the North and the Fairbanks Community Museum. Fairbanks is a vibrant city that loves to celebrate arts, culture and community, and that’s evident at events like the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival.

 

For over 30 years, the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival has been one of Alaska's most unique creative experiences. Regardless of whether you’re an avid art and music enthusiast, or just getting your feet wet, this festival has something for you. There will be a variety of workshops and classes that give you a hands-on experience with music, dance, writing and various disciplines of art. Concerts and exhibitions are common during the event and you’ll be exposed to a variety of styles. What more perfect way to kick off your summer than in stunning Fairbanks, with some of the top art and music that you’ll find anywhere? Resortsandlodges.com got the chance to interview Dori Nix, Operations and Communications Manager for the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, to talk about the event.

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

DN: The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival was established in 1980 by Jo Scott and Edward Madden, as a one-week Jazz Festival. It has since evolved to include a variety of music, dance, visual, healing, literary, and culinary arts. We typically draw around 850 participants who are involved in over 200 workshops taught by over 100 of our spectacular guest artists.

 

The Festival gives people who are enthusiastic about the fine arts an outlet to release their passion. We offer classes and workshops at various ability levels, so beginners will find plenty to do. Given the multidisciplinary nature of our course offerings, a participant with one main area of study has the opportunity to branch out and the explore other arts.

 

RAL: What makes the festival unique?

DN: The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival is truly a unique experience. Located in the Interior of Alaska, Fairbanks has beautiful and seemingly endless days throughout the summer. Participants have endless opportunities to be inspired by other artists, nature, and new experiences.

 

RAL: Take me through a day at the event.

DN: Participants create their own schedule by enrolling in classes. A participant could choose to fill their day with classes or allow for some individual exploration of the Fairbanks area. Our guest artists frequently perform during our festival. In fact, participants can view over 60 performances that include visual and performing arts.

 

Our daily Lunch Bites series invites participants to engage with other artists as well as members of the community. Each Lunch Bite showcases students and guest artists from string quartets and steel pan ensembles to comedy and spoken word. Participants are encouraged to visit our fabulous local dining establishments as well. Enjoy our local cuisine and experience a taste of Fairbanks!

 

RAL: What makes the festival unique?

DN: Participants can expect to release their inner artist during their stay. Working alongside artists of different fields, exploring the beautiful interior of Alaska while developing one's personal skills as an artist, is truly life changing.

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Reslife and Conference Services offer lodging on campus. The University is the site for many festival classes and events. Many off campus lodging options offer Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival discounts such as the Bear Lodge.

 

Chena Hot Springs Resort, located an hour away from Fairbanks, the site for several Wilderness Workshops such as Chena Hot Springs Visual Arts Intensive, offers discounts to our registrants. Though the resort is located further from town, lodgers can relax in natural hot springs, truly enjoy our scenic Alaskan summer!

 

RAL: What does the event mean to the community?

DN: The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival is a non-profit organization. However, our local economy enjoys an additional summer boost from our participants.

 

RAL: Does the event support any special causes in the community?

DN: Through multiple Outreach events the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival and our guest artists reach populations in geographically underserved areas and individuals with physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities. Outreach communities include the Western Alaskan coast and Interior.

 

RAL: Why should people come?

DN: Participating in the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival is an engaging experience. Taking the time to nurture your inner artist in an inspiring natural environment can truly be life changing. Our philosophy is to enrich the lives of all with whom we associate, through study and performances, by engaging their spirit, intellect and energy in an empowering way.

 

For more information about the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, please visit their website.

Photo Credit: Todd Paris