‘ASD Student Art Takes Center Stage in Public Art Galleries’ by Leah Maltbie

After many years of showcasing artwork for Youth Art Month at the 5th Avenue Mall on temporary display panels, an idea emerged to have a permanent student art display in the mall. This was forged from a partnership between Simon Holdings (5th Avenue Mall management) and the Anchorage School District. The mall has provided a space that has been unoccupied for years, next to JCPenney on the first floor, as an in-kind donation, making this a win-win for both the mall and school district. It was during our first installation in the new space for Youth Art Month that the name for the space was suggested. The MK Student Art Gallery is named after Mary Kaye Denkewalter, a long-time former art teacher in the Anchorage School District who passed away a few years back. 

This space is not only used to display Youth Art Month artwork every year throughout the month of March, but ASD now has rotating shows every six weeks. These art shows are a part of our district art shows that start at our ASD Education Center and then travel to the mall. This was a welcomed change from our community who asked for a space that is open to the public during hours more convenient for working families. 

The amount of positive feedback received each time a new show is installed is heartwarming. From the security guards that enjoy the new artwork going up, to locals who work in the area and stop by for a quick walk and lunch, and to out-of-town visitors, there is always someone who pops in to express their appreciation and fondness for the student gallery space. 

With the success of the MK Gallery at the 5th Avenue Mall, Anchorage School District’s Assistant Director of Fine Arts, Leah Maltbie, approached the Dimond Center in hopes of a similar set-up. The management of the Dimond Center was all for it and provided a large space between Hot Topic and Verizon. 

The Anchorage School District Student Art Gallery in the Dimond Center opened in the spring of 2024. An initial show of printed artwork, including art from area schools, Scholastic Art winners, and ASAA (Alaska School Activities Association) All-state Art Competition winners from around the state of Alaska were displayed. Currently there, ASD’s Second Annual Photography show (which started in the MK Gallery) is on display through December. 

Upcoming shows for the Dimond Center student art gallery include a K-12 Formline Salmon installation, which includes work from students in grades 2-12 who have created Formline salmon, with collaboration from local T’lingit artist and musician Ashely Young. These salmon will hang across the space “swimming” from side to side with mixed media banners flanking the walls. The banners have been created to showcase salmon habitats such as riverbeds and estuaries. The show is set to open January 24, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., with Young performing at 6:30 p.m. Below is a sample of some of the salmon that will be on display. 

ASD Fine Arts also has plans for a Disability Awareness Art Show in April at the Dimond Center, as well as continued rotations of art at the MK Gallery. If you happen to be in Anchorage and find yourself at the 5th Avenue Mall or Dimond Center, please make sure you check out the amazing artwork by the many talented Anchorage School District student artists. 

For more information on building community spaces for art or displaying artwork in community spaces, please contact Leah Maltbie, Assistant Director of Fine Arts, Anchorage School District at 907-741-0178 or maltbie_leah@asdk12.org.