If you walk into the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar during July, you will be greeted by a school of eclectic salmon hanging on the walls. The artistic displays are part of the Talkeetna Historical Society’s second Salmon Run Art Fundraiser.
As part of the fundraiser, people are invited to decorate plywood salmon with various artistic media. The art is then put on display before being auctioned off to members of the public.
According to Autumn Merritt, the Executive Director of the Talkeetna Historical Society, each salmon is unique.
“People have painted on them, they’ve decoupaged. We have mosaics. We have found items. Pretty much anything you can think of,” she said.
In previous years, the Talkeetna Historical Society raised money by auctioning off large plywood moose that had been decorated. However, Merritt says, last year, the Talkeetna Historical Society was looking for a change.
“We figured something smaller, something flatter and more portable, and a little bit different would be fun,” she said.
Merritt said the response from the community with both last year’s salmon art fundraiser and during preparations for this year has been incredible.
“We’re really excited about everything that we’ve gotten back and all the community participation,” she said, “We’re pleased how many people have embraced it.”
She said the Talkeetna Historical Society plans to host this fundraiser again next year.
The salmon will be displayed through July, before an event on July 27th closes out the fundraiser.
