When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, local businesses were forced to close down in compliance with state regulations. Even now most businesses only allow a percentage of full capacity in order to do their part to keep the case count down. As a result, the Alaska SeaLife Center, an accoladed non-profit research institution and public aquarium, put out a notice last month that based on current projections the Alaska SeaLife Center would have to close its doors by the end of summer.
In July, ASLC called for $2 million in fundraising by September 30th, 2020 to prevent closure. Uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, ASLC will not be able to maintain operations of the Center through the winter due to a lack of summer visitor revenues and faces permanent closure if these funds are not raised. Since then, the Seward community has rallied together to Save the Center. ASLC has received donations from children giving their lemonade stand proceeds, teenagers playing music for virtual fundraisers, Alaska’s talented artists banding together for an auction, and many restaurants (who are struggling themselves!) There is still time to donate and help ASLC reach their fundraising goal! Go to https://www.alaskasealife.org/donate to make whatever contribution you can.
Makers Auction
As mentioned above, Alaska's talented artists decided to band together to create Makers Auction to raise funds to save the Alaska SeaLife Center. On August 3rd, a live painting auction was held on Facebook to give participants an idea of how the two larger auctions on August 13th would proceed. All three auctions were hosted by artists Amanda Rose Warren and Christina Wilson and were conducted through Facebook to keep participants socially distanced. For the 13th Makers Auction there were over 46 Alaskan Makers with varying originals, prints, jewelry and artisan donations!
Below is a list of Makers who donated to the cause:
Amanda Rose Warren. Art Christina Wilson art Vintage Poppy Amy Kruise Art Birch Grove Studioes, Inc Arctic Designs Co. Crow Creek Designs Annie’s Arts and Follies Fire Hawk Designs Denise Ekstrand Nancie Lamson Moss & Bloom Lucas Elliot Alaskiwear Jennifer Sonne at Midnight Sonne Art Aileen Joy Ashley Bennet Custom Creations Jennifer Daurity Photgraphy Tiny Bird Studios Tanners Alaskan Seafood Cozy Mozy Corso Graphics Lala Bead Wrap Bracelets Alaska Sealife Center -Mara’s Original Fish Bird Teeth Studio Knots and Knobs Justine Pechuzal Deb Lestenkof Bennett Images Tarryn Zerbinos Crystal Jackson Ellie Atchison Danny J Creations Danica Saunders Beaver and Birch Raeann The Artist Monique Hall Alaska Concrete Collection Sienas Art Tiny Nest Studio Katie Mansfield Art Alaska Wild and Free Hibernation Textiles Jennifer Euler Art Firebreak Art Denali Dreams Meg Smith Original artwork from the C Seldovia Boardwalk Hotel Seldovia Nature Tours Jennifer Cameron Valisa May Higman, Artist Kristin Worman Torri Huelskoetter Mountain Tops Countertops Granm's Attic
The bidders with the highest amounts at closing won artwork and helped a wonderful cause. Many of the participating artists work with FTT as well, and the Alaska SeaLife Center has been a close business partner for years. We wanted to highlight the support the Seward Community has shown for ASLC, and encourage those who can to donate. Save the Center!
