ART FOR EVERYBODY

 Art Around Us: Public Sculpture and Pottery in Fairbanks, Alaska

Art in Fairbanks doesn’t just exist in museums, it’s part of people’s daily lives. You can find it downtown, in parks, and even in temporary events like the Ice Art Championships. Public art in Fairbanks is important because it shows how creativity connects with the community. It reflects the environment, culture, and everyday people who live here.




"Development of Golden Heart Plaza, on the banks of the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks, was the first major step in what has turned out to be a very successful downtown revitalization program. In the center of the plaza, which opened in 1987, is an 18-foot-high statue, "Unknown First Family", by Malcolm Alexander. At the opening, the artist said about it: "Portraying the family of all mankind, the family of Fairbanks, and the nuclear family, let this statue symbolize, for families present and future, the pride and dignity of this great land." The clock tower in the background of this photo was donated by the Fairbanks Rotary Club in 1990 to mark 50 years of service to the region by Rotary."

Title: First Family (Bronze Sculpture)
Where it was created: Golden Heart Plaza, Fairbanks, Alaska
When was it created: Installed in 1987
Who created it: Malcolm Alexander

    First Family is a public sculpture placed in the center of Fairbanks where anyone can see it. The bronze figures show a family standing together, representing community and connection. The plaza is open 24/7 and completely free, so the artwork belongs to the public. This sculpture also ties to Fairbanks’ nickname, “The Golden Heart City,” because it celebrates unity. According to Atlas Obscura, the piece was made to represent family values and the people of Fairbanks as a whole, not just one group. It’s a good example of how art can become a shared symbol for an entire city.
I think it’s a meaningful sculpture because it feels calm and welcoming. It’s easy to understand what it represents without reading a description. It makes downtown feel less empty, and the art reminds people of the community.

The two art elements that I think are the most important are :
  • Form: The figures are realistic and close to human size, which helps viewers connect with them. Because it looks natural, people can easily relate to it, which supports the idea of art being for everyone. 
  • Texture: The bronze surface changes slightly in color over time because of weather making the sculpture feel like part of the environment. That fits the theme because it shows how public art interacts with nature and lasts in everyday outdoor spaces.


"The World Ice Art Championships, held in February and March, attracts talented ice carvers from around the world to Fairbanks. The event is one of the largest ice art competitions in the world, featuring stunning ice sculptures lit up with colorful lights. Visitors can walk among the sculptures along the sculpture trail and play in the interactive ice playground."
Photo Credit: ATIA, Chris McLennan

Title: Aurora Bear (Ice Sculpture)
Where it was created: Fairbanks Ice Park, Fairbanks, Alaska
When was it created: 2023 Ice Alaska Art Championships
Who created it: Team of ice sculptors

    Another strong example of public art in Fairbanks is the Aurora Bear, an ice sculpture created during the 2023 World Ice Art Championships at Fairbanks Ice Park. The event itself has been a long running community tradition since 1988, bringing local and international artists together every winter. The sculpture of the bear captures an important symbol of Alaska’s wildlife and culture while also showing how art can come directly from the environment. Ice from local rivers is carved into massive forms and displayed outdoors for everyone to see, with visitors walking among the pieces day and night. What makes this sculpture stand out is how it looks under colored lights, the clear ice glows against the dark sky, which creates strong visual contrast. That contrast helps attract attention and turns the space into a gathering spot for both residents and tourists. Light and contrast are the two art elements that I think are the most important for this piece of art. Because the Aurora Bear is made from ice, it’s temporary, melting as the season changes. But that’s part of its message, art doesn’t have to last forever to have an impact. It’s public, interactive, and community centered. People can walk right up to it, take photos, and experience how it changes over time. This accessibility is what makes it art for everybody. 

    My reaction to Aurora Bear is that it really shows how art in Fairbanks belongs to everyone. It’s not about owning a piece or keeping it forever, it’s about sharing a moment. The sculpture looks amazing, especially at night, and you can tell it’s made for people to walk around, take pictures, and just enjoy being there together. It’s the kind of art that feels welcoming, not distant or exclusive.



"The Ceramics Program at UAF offers undergraduate through graduate courses in ceramics. Our curriculum encompasses the history, aesthetics, technology, and techniques from utilitarian to sculptural ceramics. For beginning students this program provides an overview of the medium and its possibilities. For the advanced student it fosters their development into aesthetically perceptive and technically proficient artists."

Title: Community Pottery Display – UAF Ceramics Studio
Where it was created: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fine Arts Complex
When was it created: Ongoing (student and local artist projects)
Who created it: Students and faculty from the UAF Ceramics Program

    The last example is the Community Pottery Display from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Ceramics Studio, an ongoing project that showcases pottery made by students and local artists. These displays can be found on campus in the Fine Arts Complex and sometimes at public events or art fairs. The main goal is to connect art education with community life, giving students the chance to share their work with others instead of keeping it behind classroom walls. Each piece is handmade, showing individual creativity but also collective effort. The pottery often uses repeating patterns, textures, or glazes that make the work look organized and thoughtful, even when it’s simple. The patterns give the art visual rhythm, while the variety of finishes adds interest. The way all these pieces are displayed together creates a sense of unity, they’re different, but they belong to the same group. I think that’s what makes it a strong example for this theme. It proves that meaningful art doesn’t have to be famous or professional. It can come from students, neighbors, and anyone willing to create and share. The project is free and open to the public, reinforcing the idea that art is something everyone can experience firsthand.
    My reaction to this display is that it’s nice to see art being accessible. It doesn’t feel like something distant or exclusive. I think that makes it more meaningful because it shows how everyday art can still have value and impact without being in a big gallery or museum. It’s simple but still feels important.

References 

            Ceramics | Department of Art | Department of Art. (2025). Uaf.edu.  https://www.uaf.edu/art/areas/ceramics.php

            Fairbanks, E. (2017, March 7). World Ice Art Championships Mixes Art & Tradition. Explorefairbanks.com; Explore Fairbanks. 

            https://www.explorefairbanks.com/blog/post/fairbanks-world-ice-art-championships/

            Golden Heart Plaza. (2025, November 7). Atlas Obscura. 

            https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/golden-heart-plaza 

            Ice Alaska. (n.d.). Ice Alaska. 

            https://icealaska.com/ 

            World Ice Art Championships. (n.d.). Travel Alaska. https://www.travelalaska.com/fairbanks/events/arts/world-ice-art-championships 


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