Here's what's happening for First Friday in November
- Ellie Ruel
- Nov 5
- 6 min read
November's First Friday will feature a food drive, photography pop-up and visual art shows
Alaska State Museum: Golga Oscar | “Continuing My Grandmother's Legacy”
4:30-7 p.m.
395 Whittier St
Oscar uses photography to show “the concept of two worlds, Indigenous and Western identity, which tells a story about my art career and how it saved me despite Western influences.” In "Continuing My Grandmother's Legacy," he takes self-portraits wearing parkas, mukluks, and masks from the Museum’s collection.
The exhibition features Oscar’s textile artwork, including Yup’ik headdresses and parkas, as well as ledger drawings and beaded/quillwork artwork. Drawing from Yup’ik and Native American methods, he uses a variety of techniques in his work.
Oscar was born and raised in the village of Kasigluk, near Bethel. He is a fluent Yup'ik speaker and is dedicated to keeping his culture and traditions alive and relevant by teaching the next generation about their language and art.
“Continuing My Grandmother's Legacy” opens on Friday, Nov. 7, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Oscar will give a talk about his work at 7 p.m. in the APK Lecture Hall. Both events are free. The exhibit runs through Jan. 10, 2026.
Exhibit up through the month.
Juneau Arts & Humanities Council: Johanna Griggs: Landscapes of Southeast Alaska
350 Whittier St
4-7 p.m.
Johanna Grigg's solo exhibit emphasizes the details that go unnoticed in Southeast . This collection of large-scale pieces captures the awe-inspiring intricacies that can be found in Juneau and the areas surrounding.
Rooted in observation, these landscapes are an engagement with the natural world. From the glow of oceanside sunsets to the contrast of rugged mountain ranges, each piece is rendered with attention to color selection, and depth of detail.
Exhibit up through the month.
Juneau Education Association
201 Main St
4-6 p.m.
Join local educators at the NEA office for baked goods, warm drinks, and kids' activities. Learn more about local educators and how to support them in ongoing contract negotiations.
First Friday opening only.
Friends of the State Library Archives and Museum: Doug Padilla, Pianist
395 Whittier St
5-6 p.m.
Pianist Doug Badilla will be performing classic Motown hits from the 1970s with longtime friend and vocalist Larry Cooper. Badilla studied music at Seattle Pacific University and Central Washington University. He is a local teacher and has performed in several venues, including Folk Fest.
First Friday opening only.
Juneau-Douglas City Museum: Unleashed: Paintings & Poems Exploring the Dog Culture of Juneau and Douglas, featuring Artist Elise Tomlinson and Poet Emily Wall
114 West 4th St.
4:30-7 p.m.
Artist Elise Tomlinson and Poet Emily Wall have collaborated to create original paintings and poems that explore their relationship with their dogs and Juneau/Douglas dog culture. Both Elise and Emily live in Douglas and have recently adopted rescue dogs. Unleashed explores how dogs create a sense of joy and safety for women who walk them, and how they connect dog owners to the rich and diverse community of local dog people with a special focus on Sandy Beach and historic Treadwell trails.
Attendees are invited to bring a small piece of work to contribute to a collage that will be created and displayed as part of this month-long show. Any work of art (drawing, painting, weaving, photo, etc.) that can be pinned up, and any small piece of writing (poem, short memoir, flash fiction) is welcome. Small cards and pencils will be available at the opening reception.
Exhibit up through the month.
Juneau-Douglas City Museum: A Stitch in Time: Embroidery by Kirsa Hughes-Skandijs
1-3:30 p.m. 114 West 4th St
A Stitch in Time is a series of embroidery pieces depicting the everyday sights of our city’s streets, juxtaposed with the natural sights of our shores and trails. Kirsa Hughes-Skandijs's fiber arts exhibition aims to examine our local surroundings and the “footprints” we leave on the timeless rainforest that offers refuge to humans and pets. The opening reception will be held Nov. 8 from 1-3:30 p.m.
Exhibit up through the month.
Marie Drake Planetarium: Explore the Universe
5:30-7 p.m.
1014 Glacier Avenue
A display of short movies about astronomy and space on the 30-foot planetarium dome. Suitable for all ages. Astronomy questions welcome.
First Friday opening only
Alaska State Ombudsman: November Food Drive
4:30-6:30 p.m.
130 Seward Street
The Alaska State Ombudsman's Juneau office is collecting non-perishable food items for the Southeast Alaska Food Bank from Nov. 1-26. They will be collecting non-perishable food items in the lobby of the Goldstein building.
Exhibit up through the month.
Annie Kaill's Gallery: Barbara Lavallee, Visual Artist and Illustrator; Alice Tersteeg, Visual Artist; Kelsey Fagan of Elevate Art Studio, Visual Artist
4:30-7:30 p.m.
124 Seward St
Meet artists Barbara Lavalee, Alice Tersteeg, and Kelsey Fagan, browse their work, and enjoy live music. Barbara Lavalee is releasing new original work and will be signing books and calendars, Alice Tersteeg will showcase a series of Juneau-inspired landscape and flower paintings, and Kelsey Fagan will present a new collection of original prints exploring loss and remembrance.
First Friday opening only.
Rookery Café: Jacob Higgins
4:30-7:30 p.m.
111 Seward St.
Jacob Higgins and his current oil paintings are inspired by the spectacle of nature and all its curiosities. The exhibit, BEAST, features prehistoric beasts, camouflage bugs, and things that lurk in the dark.
Exhibit up through the month.
The Pottery Jungle: James Squires, Ceramicist
4:30-8 p.m.
223 Seward St.
The Pottery Jungle will feature studio member James Squires and his body of work, “The Joy of Pottery”. Originally from Michigan, James was introduced to pottery in high school, which has since become a lifelong passion. After time in the military and many years away from the wheel, James is enjoying getting back into the rhythm of creating functional and decorative handmade pottery.
First Friday opening only.
Alaska Robotics Gallery: Lanie McCarry
4:30-8 p.m.
134 N. Franklin St.
Lanie McCarry has tossed her paint brushes aside and dusted off her iPad to present a show all about comics. From a childhood love of newspaper funnies, Archie, and Sonic, to a deep dive into manga like DragonBall, No Need For Tenchi, and Ranma 1/2, Lanie’s passion runs deep. Her show features 20 original comics telling a story in three panels.
Exhibit up through the month.
Friends of Telephone Hill: Save Telephone Hill
6-8 p.m.
167 S Franklin St
Friends of Telephone Hill will be hosting a brief talk about historic preservation in the Capital City, along with a synopsis of a 90-minute documentary film that will be offered on the balcony of the Alaskan Hotel and Bar.
First Friday opening only.
Juneau Artist Gallery: Gene Rawson, Black and white wildlife stipple artist
4:30-7 p.m.
175 South Franklin St.
Gene Rawson is Artist of the Month at the Juneau Artists Gallery. A trained artist, he's currently focused on creating black-and-white stipple artwork that showcases Alaskan wildlife.
Exhibit up through the month.
Kindred Post: Fu Bao Hartle
4:30-7 p.m.
145 S Franklin St.
Local photographer Fu Bao Hartle will host a pop-up offering prints, notecards, and 2026 calendars that follow his latest adventures around Southeast Alaska. Photography has been a joyful way for him to create and express himself. He started Photos by Fu Bao in 2022, turning his love of adventure into art that connects him with others. When he’s not behind the lens, he’s an advocate and athlete with Special Olympics Alaska, SAIL, and Alaska Peer Power.
First Friday opening only.
The Bear's Lair: Arianne Goins of Going North Studio
4:30-7 p.m.
175 S Franklin St.
Ariane Goins of Going North Studio is creating original hand-painted floral and berry-themed art that shows each plant in intricate detail. The event will feature live music and snacks.
Exhibit up through the month.
Spice Cafe & Gallery: Pua Maunu, Carole Baker, Jane Stokes
4-9 p.m.
116 North Franklin St.
The Spice Cafe & Gallery will feature new works by local artists Pua Maunu, Carole Baker and Jane Stokes.
Exhibit up through the month.
Liaise Studio: Christine Carpenter, Elizabeth Jurgeleit, and Hollis Kitchen, Painters
4:30-8 p.m.
175 S Franklin St.
Artists Christine Carpenter, Elizabeth Jurgeleit, and Hollis Kitchin will star in "StudioMates: Three's Company," a casual art show that pulls back the curtain on the art they made while sharing a studio. See how these three artists bounced ideas off each other and fueled their creative fires.
Exhibit up through the month.
Lodestone Library: Bre Andersen
5-7:30 p.m.
301 Third St
Lodestone Library presents local mixed-media artist Bre Anderson and their bold-colored drawings and paintings spanning a timeline of trauma, transformation and healing.
Exhibit up through the month.
The Mustard Seed, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
4-7 p.m.
325 Gold Street
Paintings, prints, and other art will be on sale as a fundraiser for the church and its community projects. The sale features hors d’oeuvres and live music by Tom Locher, and will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday 2-4 p.m. The Mustard Seed shop will also be selling collectables such as silver plates, jewelry, cookie jars and household items.
First Friday opening only.
Juneau Social Dance: A Spooky Social Dance Party Downtown
7-10:30 p.m.
418 Harris St Studio #320
The First Friday Social Dance Party is 7-10:30 p.m. at Raven Yoga Shala. All styles, all levels, and all ages welcome. No experience or partners needed. Enjoy a structured lesson, followed by open social dancing with requests welcome across all styles, including a special line dance. This month, Andi and Daniel will teach "Partner Dancing to Downtempo Electronica." Doors open at 7 p.m., the lesson starts at 7:15 p.m., and all styles of dancing from 8-10:30 pm.
First Friday opening only.
