Today is the last First Friday of the summer in Haines. The event will feature artists showcasing their work throughout town, including abstract paintings, photography, and a display of antiquarian books, and more. 

“Untitled” watercolor piece by Christine Duncan

At the Port Chilkoot Distillery, artist Christine Duncan will show a collection of abstract watercolor pieces titled “Shades of Haines,” from 4 to 8 p.m. She recently relocated to Haines with her family to run the Salmon Run RV Park and Campground, which overlooks the Lutak Inlet.

“Most of the pieces have been painted outside while overlooking the Lutak, which has been incredible,” Duncan said. “The scenery and the environment here is so inspirational.” 

Duncan says abstract art is a personal experience, and she hopes to open up new interpretations for viewers.

“Really, I’m just trying to break it down and uncomplicate this complex environment. There’s the water and the mountains and so full of life. And my paintings may at first glance, it’s very simplistic, but I really tried to focus on small details and yeah, just natural organic form,” she said.

Duncan focuses on watercolor, stone, and wood, and she will also have pieces displayed at Ampersand AK on Main Street. Her instagram is @christineduncanart.

Haines writer Tom Morphet will be displaying a collection of antiquarian books at the Bookstore, from 5-7 pm on August 6, and it will be up for two weeks. The books were collected by Morphet’s father, a career research librarian. The display will include French church hymnals from about the year 1450 – printed on sheep-skin, a medical text from 1565, and a world atlas.

“The antiquarian book dealer didn’t really offer me much for them, so I think they’re antique books and documents, go back to the year 1450,” Morphet said. “There’s an atlas from 1729, but without Alaska. It shows the whole world but without Alaska, because you know, they hadn’t gotten there yet. So what I think is of interest is they sort of capture Western knowledge at a certain point in time.”

The Haines Sheldon Museum will premiere a new photography exhibit by Tamra Lynn Hackett titled “Flora of the Last Frontier.” There will be an opening reception at 5 p.m. Friday, and the exhibit will run for six weeks, through mid-September.