For more than three decades, the Anchorage Museum has recognized the unique contributions Alaska artists are making to the world of contemporary art with the biennial “All Alaska Juried Art Exhibition.”

This highly competitive exhibition drew 479 submissions by 140 Alaska artists. Massachusetts-based juror Susan Cross selected 40 artworks by 27 different artists for the exhibition. Her selections focus on artwork that reflects a powerful sense of place.

“Alaska boasts a distinguished landscape tradition, both past and present, which is evident in the stunning paintings in the Anchorage Museum collection,” Cross said. “Many of the artists selected seem to be responding to this history. … The result is an exciting and fertile dialogue about the Alaska wilderness and how it is represented.”

Cross awarded the $1,000 Juror’s Choice Award to Anchorage artist James Behlke for three charcoal on canvas works. The $500 recognition award was given to Klara Maisch of Fairbanks, and the $250 award was given to Asia Freeman of Homer.

After the exhibition closes in Anchorage, it will travel to the Alaska State Museum, Juneau (March 18-April 23, 2013) and the Bear Gallery, Fairbanks (May 4-31,2013).

Cross is a curator at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams. She also has curated for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City, and served as a juror for the Guggenheim’s prestigious Hugo Boss Prize.

ANCHORAGE MUSEUM

The Anchorage Museum is the largest museum in Alaska and one of the top 10 most visited attractions in the state. The museum’s mission is to share and connect Alaska with the world through art, history and science. Learn more online at www.anchoragemuseum.org.