Ammon Swenson, Alaska Public Media

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Ammon Swenson is Alaska Public Media’s Audio Media Content Producer. He was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He graduated from UAA in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and integrated media. He’s previously worked for KRUA radio, the Anchorage Press, and The Northern Light.
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State of Art: Painter Scott Clendaniel takes a lighthearted approach to his Alaska-themed paintings

This week on State of Art we're hearing from artist Scott Clendaniel. He combines his love of the outdoors, beer and positive vibes in his work. In addition to landscapes and other Alaska scenes, when scanning through his collection of paintings, you might find X-wings from Star Wars flying over Denali, an octopus hitting up some fresh powder on skis, or local beers in the foreground of an epic background. You can find his paintings on display at Turnagain Brewing until October 6.
people stand around in a store while a bike sits outside

State of Art: Meet the guys behind Akela Space

This week on State of Art we're hearing from Jovell Rennie and Young Kim from Akela Space. The local photographers and long-time friends are the driving force behind the spot’s mission to showcase new artistic talent and provide an inclusive community space. We hear about what they look for when collaborating with an artist, past shows and events, and how they want the spot to be a blank canvas of possibilities.

Addressing Alaskans: Hear the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation’s 2022 three-year outlook

This week on Addressing Alaskans we'll hear how the Anchorage economy has been progressing and what issues lie ahead. Speakers include AEDC President and CEO Bill Popp, Mayor Dave Bronson and University of Alaska President Pat Pitney.

State of Art: Meet Anchorage Press Editor O’Hara Shipe

This week on State of Art we're hearing from O'Hara Shipe. She took over as managing editor of the Anchorage Press in March after being a long-time contributor to the alt-weekly. She is also the state director for cannabis magazine Alaska Leaf and has her own photography business Shipe Shots. We discuss her professional hockey career, her work as a journalist and her goals for the paper.
painting of woman

State of Art: ‘5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche’ and the art of Elizabeth Belanger

This week on State of Art we're diving into what's been happening at Cyrano's this month. We hear from the theater's Producing Artistic Director Teresa K. Pond about the play "5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche" and how social repression and dread of nuclear war in the 1950s helps influence the period comedy. We also hear from painter Elizabeth Belanger about her work on display in the theater's gallery and how a cancer diagnosis helped her start painting again.

State of Art: Meet this month’s makers at the IGCA

This week on State of Art we're hearing from three creatives that make up August's diverse International Gallery of Contemporary Art exhibits. Rachael Juzeler has a love for rust and incorporating found objects into...

State of Art: Emma Hill’s ‘Park Songs’ and celebrating Irish heritage at Galway Days

This week on State of Art we're joined by local singer-songwriter Emma Hill who tells us about her project "Park Songs." Hill spent months travelling around the U.S. and Canada visiting national parks, recording notes and melodies along the way. The project is a combination of music, travelogue and advocacy for parklands. In this episode we also learn about Galway Days. Peggy Monaghan from the Irish Club of Alaska tells us about the upcoming celebration of Irish culture.

State of Art: Hear from Salmonfest organizer David Stearns

This week on State of Art we're joined by Salmonfest organizer David Stearns. The music and arts festival runs from August 5 through 7 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. Headliners include Umphrey's McGee, Shakey Graves, Rising Appalachia and California Honeydrops. We learn about the old days, the festival's salmon-centric mission, and what's new this year.

State of Art: Learn to tell your story with Anchorage-born author Patrice Gopo

In her collection of essays called "All the Colors We Will See," Patrice Gopo examines her experience of being raised by Jamaican immigrant parents and growing up Black in Alaska. Now she's helping others tell their stories in a free writing workshop.

State of Art: Going to Salmonfest? Check out these headliners

The salmon-supporting festival runs from August 5 to 7 and features dozens of visiting and local musicians.
man puts hands up high

State of Art: Trading bindings for guitar straps

Pro snowboarder turned musician Gus Engle releases his second album "Dungeon Master."

State of Art: After decades of playing and fixing pianos in Alaska, musician Dan McElrath says goodbye with two final shows

Dan McElrath spent the last three decades living and making a name for himself in Alaska through his jazz combo The Dan Mac Band, collaborations with local artists and through is work as the state's premier piano technician.

State of Art: Boundary-pushing ensemble brings their brand of chamber music to Anchorage

Wild Shore New Music is a New-York based chamber music collective that features Alaska-raised musicians with a focus on the relationship between art and our environment.

State of Art: Indie Alaska, SpongeBob and the music of Dan McElrath

This week on State of Art we're checking out the newest episode of Indie Alaska called "How Running Ultramarathons Saved Carol Seppilu's Life." We'll also hear about one Sitkan's musical fingerprints on the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon. We wrap up the episode with a track from long-time Alaska musician Dan McElrath who is playing two going away shows this summer.

State of Art: Children’s musical ‘The Claw’ grabs hearts and minds of any age

The show tells the story of toys stuck in a out of order claw machine and what happens when it's turned on. We're joined by "The Claw" director Justin Stewart and music director Annika Merkel to find out about the musical, working with youth and the play's theme of facing the unknown.

Hometown Alaska: How can we push back against youth homelessness?

On this episode of Hometown, Alaska, Zoryna Lealai, a youth advocate for the Anchorage Youth Task Force, and Julia Terry, co-director of the organization Choosing Our Roots, will be joining the discussion on exposing and combating youth homelessness, while providing a very personal perspective on the issue. What organizations are out there shedding light on, and actively engaging in, the fighting against youth homelessness? 

Addressing Alaskans: With elections looming, how do we navigate our new voting system?

With a special primary for US representative on June 11 and upcoming elections this fall, representatives from Alaska Division of Elections and Alaskans for Better Elections explain how the voting process works and answer audience questions.

State of Art: New Anchorage pottery studio debuts on First Friday

The studio occupies the former Fire Island Bakery Location on G Street in downtown Anchorage and promises memberships, one-off classes and more.

Addressing Alaskans: Celebrate Elizabeth Peratrovich Day with Molly of Denali

Today’s episode features a panel discussion celebrating Elizabeth Peratrovitch Day.  GBH Kids, producer of Molly of Denali, the Rasmuson Foundation and Alaska Public Media partnered together to host an event to honor the important figure...