Meet the ferry poster artist

MAT-SU— This Saturday meet local artist Linda Henning who won this year's Borough poster contest of the M/V Susitna ferry. Henning drew inspiration for her painting from photos and the rush of wind when aboard a ferry.

An artist signing event takes place Sat. July 10, 1p.m.-3p.m. at Town Square Art Gallery, in Wasilla, 591 George Parks Highway, next to the Carr's shopping center. Listen to Linda Henning on right.

A flyer for the ferry poster event is attached. Linda Henning is a local entrepreneur. She is publisher and editor for Alaska Dog News.

Henning was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Art and photography have been a life-long interest and study. She took her first formal art classes in Bakersfield, Calif., where drawing and painting became her passion. Over the next two decades she attended Mt. Hood, Portland Community Colleges, College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and Marylhurst University in Oregon studying art and business while working in the printing and publishing industries.

Linda has shown work at local community-juried shows in Florida, Michigan, Oregon and Washington as well as in Valley Arts Alliance shows at the Alaska State Fair, and the Dorothy Page Museum in Wasilla. She produced the image and poster for the 2007 Art and Garden show and paints commissioned paintings.

Henning's painting was chosen the winner from seven submissions of local artists. Five judges viewed the submissions, among them two artists, a photographer/Borough representative, an art instructor, and an art store owner.

Henning was awarded $1,500 for winning the contest. The Borough retains all non-exclusive rights to the artwork. Only 500 copies were made and will be signed.

This is the second year a Borough poster was printed to promote a Borough priority project and a local artist. Last year, Fred Hirschmann's image of Pioneer Peak and the cottongrass foreground in it represented the future site of the Natural Science Education & Community Center on the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge. A framed, signed print was given to our local Legislators for their Juneau offices.

In February 2009, the Borough Assembly passed a poster resolution to showcase Borough state and federal priority projects with an annual poster print. Assembly Member Cindy Bettine sponsored the resolution after observing in Juneau the walls of legislators from other communities colorfully framed with local projects and places. The resolution states the importance of highlighting priority projects and placing them in the forefront of the minds of Legislators and citizenry.

The Borough sells the signed posters for $20 to pay for printing and promotion of the following year's poster. Last year more than $1,800 was collected for the Hirschmann print, which is still selling.

Posters will be selling at the Borough building and libraries, at Town Square Art Gallery, at local bookstores, coffee shops such as Espresso Cafe and more.

For more information call Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan 745-9577 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.