Organic clay-based paint stands stacked in the window at the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

Organic clay-based paint stands stacked in the window at the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

Art from salvage

The group of old buildings behind the decorative mushrooms and tall spruce alongside the Sterling Highway are all rescued and finding new life with art.

Newest among them is the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

Reach Elizabeth Earl at eearl@peninsulaclarion.com.

Art supplies wait on a table before a class at the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

Art supplies wait on a table before a class at the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

This Friday, May 4, 2018 photo shows the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

This Friday, May 4, 2018 photo shows the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

More in News

A screenshot of a Zoom meeting where Superintendent Clayton Holland (right) interviews Dr. Henry Burns (left) on Wednesday, April 9, while Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (center) takes notes.
KPBSD considers 4 candidates for Homer High School principal position

School district held public interviews Wednesday, April 9.

Organizer George Matz monitors shorebirds at the former viewing platform at Mariner Park Lagoon. The platform no longer exists, after being removed by landowner Doyon during the development of the area. (Photo courtesy of Kachemak Bay Birders)
Kachemak Bay Birders kicks off 17th year of shorebird monitoring project

The first monitoring session of 2025 will take place Saturday.

The Alaska State Senate meets Thursday, where a bill boosting per-student education funding by $1,000 was introduced on the floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Education bill with $1,000 BSA hike — and nothing else — gets to Senate floor; veto by Dunleavy expected

Senate president says action on lower per-student education funding increase likely if veto override fails.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Trial for troopers indicted for felony assault delayed to 2026

The change comes four months after a judge set a “date-certain” trial for June.

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
State employee salaries fall short of levels intended to be competitive, long-delayed study finds

31 of 36 occupation groups are 85%-98% of target level; 21 of 36 are below public/private sector average.

The Kahtnuht'ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)
Tułen Charter School set for fall opening

The school’s curriculum integrates Dena’ina language, culture and traditional values.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Micciche says borough budget will include $57 million for schools

The mayor’s budget still has to be approved by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.

Zaeryn Bahr, a student of Kenai Alternative High School, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Alternative would lose staff member under proposed district budgets

Students, staff champion school as “home” for students in need.

Most Read