The Skagway Arts Council has been enriching the town’s culture for nearly 50 years. This year they’re bringing big names to town like David Sedaris and also featuring local artists and musicians.  KHNS’ Mike Swasey talked to council president Donna Griffard about this spring’s events.

Swasey – Donna, you know, springtime and Skagway means there’s a lot more happening. What has the Skagway Arts Council got in store for us this spring?

Griffard – We are very excited to be back live with in-person viewing for all of our events. One of them is Sundae + Mr. Goessl, which is in April, and they’re an award-winning duo from Wisconsin. They play a lot of pop-country, Jazz mix. Supposedly they’ve got a retro hipster vibe. 

We also have our 32nd annual International Folk Festival, it should be at the Eagles Hall. And we’ll be putting out a call shortly where people can sign up. We’ll be back to just people that are able to hoof it over here and have their 15 minutes of fame. 

That same weekend, this would be April 15, we have our 14th annual spring show of winter work. And that is local artists that range from professionals that maybe want to show off new art that they’ve done the past year we also get a lot of first-time artists. People can submit their form any time so that we have an idea of what’s coming and how much space you might need. The art itself, you have the whole month to prepare and get your pieces ready, because the art doesn’t need to get dropped off until April 14, the day before. And that’s at the AB Hall. 

This year. We’re going to extend the show through to the following weekend because of the Eagles convention that’s in town.

Swasey – And then you’ve got a big name coming into Skagway that’s got a lot of people excited. Tell us more about when David Sedaris is expected to come to town.

Griffard – May 17, David Sedaris will be here live in person at the Eagles Hall. He’ll be doing readings from as-yet-unpublished works. And also there will be a book signing before and after the event. We are told that he’s very appreciative of his audience and he will actually stay and sign every single book, down to the very last person, no matter how late into the evening it goes.

Swasey – Donna, thank you so much for giving us the breakdown of all of the things that the Arts Council is bringing to Skagway. 

Griffard – Yep.