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Anchorage Design Week
October 4, 2019 - October 12, 2019
As a museum, we are interested in how creative and critical thinking can change the world, from the inventions and events of the past to our collective futures. We celebrate the moments that change the way we make, connect, transport and express, whether in art, science, culture, or design.
Design is a key component of how the Anchorage Museum looks at our Northern place and a key component of our work. Design is optimistic. Designers focus on what could be and are tasked with removing obstacles, dealing with constraints and finding unexpected solutions.
To take on a big challenge, especially one as large and intractable as poverty, we have to believe in progress. Optimism embraces possibility, the idea that even if we don’t know the answer, it is out there, and we can find it.
Human-centered designers focus on what could be rather than on the potential obstacles. Constraints are inevitable, and often they push designers toward unexpected solutions. But it’s our core belief that every problem is solvable.
The fourth annual Anchorage Design Week happens October 4-12, 2019, at the Anchorage Museum. The nine-day event includes keynotes and talks, workshops, and weekend socials covering everything from architecture and fashion to furniture and food. Through the theme Futures Possible, Design Week looks at design and ideas that imagine the future through large vision and optimistic problem solving.
This year Anchorage Design Week pairs with SEED Lab to create a design community across the North with acclaimed designers, the leading local design thinkers, and the next generation of design with programs for all ages. Anchorage Design Week collaborators include Alaska Design Forum and AIGA Alaska.
There are workshops on a variety of topics throughout the week.
Photos by Jodyo.Photos
A few of the opening weekend events include:
Tent City Press Screen Printing
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, October 4, Anchorage Museum
Stop by the Anchorage Museum for First Friday and Design Week kick-off, featuring Tent City Press, among other activities. Bring a shirt or blank item to print upon or use paper provided. No experience needed. Free.
Future Anchorage Game Time with Lateral North
Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 5, SEED Lab, 109 W 6th Ave.
Explore possible futures for Anchorage and Alaska by playing an, interactive board game designed by Lateral North’s Graham Hogg. Players engage in multiple scenarios and perspectives around transportation, infrastructure, energy, recreation, food, and climate change. Free.
Try your hand at screen printing with Tent City Press on Friday evening, October 4.
Michael Conti
A Bike-able City
Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, SEED Lab, 109 W 6th Ave.
Explore a re-make of B Street between 5th and 6th avenues for a glimpse at what a bike-friendly downtown street could look like. Then stop by the SEED Lab garage to create a communal prototype for a secure and community-friendly bike hub. Join in interactive response games, learn more about bike safety, and design reflective tape patterns for better visibility at night. Free.
View what a bike-able Anchorage might look like Saturday, October 5.
Photos by Jodyo.Photos
GOOD DEEDS: Building Community
5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 5, Anchorage Museum
Learn about the power of YES from a man who committed to performing daily acts of kindness for a year. Join us for “Good Deeds: Building Community,” with Pittsburg resident Jon Potter. Potter’s most famous act of kindness–donating a kidney to a stranger–has inspired people around the world to give, share, and interact with each other in new ways. Free.
Design Tour: Hghu Hghazdatl’ (They all gathered, Dena’ina)
Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 6 SEED Lab, 109 W 6th Ave.
Tour temporary, site-specific installations in Anchorage that create new gathering places and propose different ways of interacting and reflecting on our landscape and future. Curated by Canadian artist/architect Tiffany Shaw-Collinge, local and national artists created new meeting places using local materials. $15. Registration required.
Seeding Re:Use
2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 6 SEED Lab, 109 W 6th Ave.
SEED Lab unveils three rooms to show how local material and objects can have a longer life in the North. See how Habitat for Humanity Anchorage’s Restore puts new life into old housewares, how graphic design can change perspectives with AIGA, and ideas for repurposing materials for the home, cabin and office spaces with KPB Architects. Free.
For a complete list of Design Week events and ticket information, visit anchoragedesignweek.org.
Jon Potter fixes a porch. His talk GOOD DEEDS: Building Community is at 5 p.m. on October 5.
Jon Potter
Four temporary, site-specific, public art installations debut as part of Design Week.
SEED Lab