Alaska’s 1964 Quake Inspires ‘Disaster’ Art

Marjorie Scholl’s ‘Tsunami: Headed towards the back side of a wave’ is on view with works by 27 other Alaska artists in the current exhibit at Windward Community College’s Gallery ‘Iolani, ‘Communities, Disaster and Change.’ Image from Bonnie Beatson.

Destruction isn’t the only thing that comes out of a natural disaster. There can be hope, too — as the 28 Alaskan artists featured in Gallery ‘Iolani prove in the traveling exhibit Communities, Disaster and Change, running until April 30. “This is an exhibition about redemption as well as grief,” stated gallery director Toni Martin.

Communities commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Alaska earthquake and tsunami that destroyed the harbor of Valdez, as well as the village Chenega. Each artist contributed one piece to the display, in mediums including painting, sculpture, mixed media and ceramics.

Gallery ‘Iolani is open weekdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. on the Windward CC campus. For more information, call 236-9150 or visit gallery.windward.hawaii.edu.