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Support the camp!
- Give students the opportunity to attend camp through need-based financial aid
- Bring world-class musicians to Sitka
- Repair and rebuild our historical campus
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Alaska Native Carving
One of the Fine Arts Camp's most unique offerings are the Alaska Native Carving classes. For two weeks, students in the class learn to carve various wooden pieces from wood of an old Alder tree on campus. Click the image above for a video introduction of the class.
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Upcoming Events
July 11
Final Performances
7pm, PAC
July 12
Final Performances
1 - 4pm, SFAC Campus
7pm, PAC
10pm, Odess Theater
July 19
Dee Daniels and the Native Jazz Trio
7pm, PAC
July 20
TEDxSitka
7pm, Odess Theater
July 25
Children of Eden
7pm, PAC
July 25
Children of Eden
2:30pm, PAC
7:00pm, PAC
For more information please call the Sitka Fine Arts Camp office at 907-747-3085
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Volunteer Spotlight:
Henrietta van Maanen
This week's Volunteer Spotlight is on Henrietta van Maanen, long time volunteer of both the Sheldon Jackson College and now the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Henrietta has been traveling to Sitka every summer as a volunteer for decades. Campers recognize her as the woman who takes head counts during meals, but the camp honors her as one of our most loyal supporters.
How did you first get involved with the camp?
I became involved with the camp when I was a volunteer at the Sheldon Jackson Campus. Many years ago, the camp met on the college campus in the summertime, and I would come onto campus to ask if there was anything that I could help with, such as mailings. Eventually, Roger asked me to just come and work for the camp in the summertime, as it needed volunteers. I said, "Do you have a place for me to live?" He said, "Well, we'll find one," and here I am!
Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Iowa, but when I worked for the college, I always stayed in the summer for the Sitka Music Festival. I love the music, so I make sure that I am here during the festival.
What brings you back to the Fine Arts Camp every year?
I like to be useful, and there's plenty of things for me to do here. I also like seeing the kids as they practice in their programs, but probably the most important thing that draws me back to the camp is seeing the Sheldon Jackson Campus come back to life. The campus was very precious to me, and I was very hurt when the college had to close. Seeing the camp restore, take care of, and use the buildings is really fantastic.
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Greetings!
This morning, music faculty Paul Cox and Katy Green appeared on Raven Radio's The Morning Interview to discuss the High School Camp's Final Performances. Aside from reviewing the Final Performance Schedule, which you can find here, the two discussed the experience of nurturing our campers--both personally and artistically--and witnessing their growth in the past two weeks.
Chinese Brush Painting
Paul and Katy joked about pushing students to their artistic limit--working hard to pick up valuable tools and perfecting final pieces for five difference classes in two weeks--and then they spend their free day pushing themselves to their physical limit by hiking up mountains or kayaking in the Sitka Sound. All jokes aside, it is true that our campers are hard working, motivated, and busy. Each student leaves the camp with a new set of skills, whether it be socially or in the arts.
We often overlook how special the Fine Arts Camp experience is. Perhaps one of the more magical aspects of camp is our financial aid program, which provides students with the chance to study in our diverse arts classes. This summer, the camp welcomes 564 students from 38 communities in Alaska, many of whom come from communities that are smaller than the camp's student body. 100 students from our program received over $53,000 in financial aid.
A student in Katy Green's choir, for example, received the opportunity to attend camp through our financial aid program. From Port Armstrong, a community of around 13 people, the student had a hard time adjusting to the camp's social scene--especially when there are thirty students in our choir alone. However, throughout the first few days of camp, she gradually grew accustomed to the larger population, growing out of her shell and making more friends than she could imagine.
For faculty, staff, and campers, especially those such as the student from Port Armstrong, the end of camp is always bittersweet. We watch our campers grow from timid, quiet teenagers to outgoing, excited artists.
The camp's Final Performances are a way of saying goodbye to our students and celebrating their time at camp. Students commemorate their experience with diligently rehearsed performances and beautifully crafted pieces. Please stop by either the SFAC campus or the Performing Arts Center today and Saturday to support our students.
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TEDxSitka and Dee Daniels
| | Ed Littlefield speaks at the first annual TEDxSitka conference |
We are continuously striving to bring the very best to our community, whether it be community-based events or world-class performances. As such, we more than excited to let you know about two amazing opportunities that are coming to Sitka through the Fine Arts Camp.
The first event is a concert by the fabulous Dee Daniels, who will be performing along with the Alaskan Native Jazz trio at the Performing Arts Center on July 19th at 7:00pm. Daniels is an internationally recognized jazz singer who blends her jazz-trained voice with hints of gospel and blues styling. Her unique voice, which beautifully compliments the repertoire of the Native Jazz Trio, will return to Sitka for the second time this summer. In addition to being named the Artistic Director of Frank DeMiero Jazz Festival, Dee Daniels has also received numerous awards and worked with artists such as Twyla Tharp in her 2009 musical and many "Legends of Jazz" such as Hank Jones. In addition to bringing her amazing stage presence, Dee Daniels will also be leading a workshop for a week at the Fine Arts Camp, cumulating with a final performance on the 24th of July.
This summer, we are also bringing back a second summer event. For the third consecutive year, we are once again partnering up with the Island Institute Symposium to sponsor the TEDxSitka Event. This year's speakers native activist Winona LaDuke, astrophysicist Solomon Endlich, award winning novelist and non-fiction writer Luis Urrea, Pacific High student Skyler Wright, bestselling journalist and radio producer Alan Weisman, and a presentation by the Sitka Fine Arts Camp Musical Theater Camp. Each of the six short and compelling talks are centered around the theme Radical Imagining, designed to spark inspiration. TEDxSitka will be held at the Odess Theater at 7:00pm on July 20th. Refreshments will be served at the event.
Tickets for both events will be sold at Old Harbor books. Dee Daniels tickets are $25 ($20 for students and seniors) and TEDx Sitka tickets are $25. We hope to see you at both of these amazing events.
For more information, please call the Sitka Fine Arts Camp Office at 907-747-3085 or contact office@fineartscamp.org
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...continued from Volunteer Spotlight 
For someone who has been involved with the Sheldon Jackson Campus before SFAC took over, how did you react to the change of hands?
I was thrilled when I found out that the camp was going to take over the campus. I knew enough about the camp that I felt that it would be in good hands. The people of Sitka have also exceeded my expectations for what they have done to help restore the campus, as they are very supportive of the arts. I have been appreciative of the music program at Sitka and its history, and I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to enjoy it over the years. It happens because of the support of the teachers, the parents, and the community.
What is the biggest difference you have noticed in the past few years?
The wonderful thing is that Allen Memorial has been restored. When I first came, it couldn't be used for anything but storage. To see the building come to life and be used as a theater is probably the greatest and most wonderful thing to happen on this campus.
Do you have favorite memories of campus back in the day?
The memory that I recall a lot is the community orchestra that met on this campus. All kinds of people would play in the orchestra, including Ed Littlefield. Ed and I used to play percussion together when he was just a little boy. Playing with him is one of my favorite memories, especially now that he is back teaching at the camp and doing so well.
Any last memories?
The other thing that's nice is working on registration at camp. Often times when I look at camper names, I remember many of the children's parents from when they went to the Sheldon Jackson College. In a few cases, I remember the grandparents of the students that worked here as volunteers with me. It's nice that the grandchildren come back.
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Thank you for your ongoing support, Sitka Fine Arts Camp Staff www.fineartscamp.org 907-747-3085
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