Prior to the 1914 Alaska Railroad Act, only two non-Alaska Native families lived in the Anchorage area. The development of the railroad led to Ship Creek as an ideal site for a deepwater port in lieu of the shallow waters in the old Knik site, previously the most populated part of the region. Gradually, the site grew to be known as Knik Anchorage. Eventually, Ship Creek simply became Anchorage.
Learn more about the iconic railroad and how Anchorage came to be in this outdoor painting session with Don Kolstad. Registrants will learn about the Alaska Railroad and its role in Anchorage’s creation and paint a scene outside of the Anchorage Railroad Depot.
Please dress appropriately according to the weather. Will be held rain or shine. Open to ages 21+
$80 material fee. Registration required.
Presented in conjunction with Everyday Anchorage: Duke Russell & Ward Wells, now on view on the fourth floor.
About the artist
Don Kolstad was born in Southern California in 1952. In 1982, Don decided to try a career as a full-time artist, and Alaska seemed the most beautiful place on earth to paint. Don has been the featured artist at many fundraising auctions, including the Mayor’s Ball and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. The last several years Don has been teaching watercolor, drawing, oil classes and giving workshops along with his work in the studio and Plein Air painting. He continues to challenge his work with new ideas and techniques and is more interested in where the work is going and not where it's been.