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The North Pole Art Society/Watercolor Wednesday First Friday show June 6 will feature the work of Yelena Matusevich, and visitors should expect something very different from other First Friday shows. Matusevich’s work is unusual and visually delightful. She tends to use brilliant colors, intriguing subjects and, sometimes, complex designs. To me, her work is lively and bright and joyful.

“My art has been called therapeutic and healing, and people buy or commission it because my work brings them light and joy,” she said.

Matusevich is excited about her upcoming solo show, not only because it will feature her work, but because if it is a financial success it will help her help others in her homeland of Russia. All proceeds will be donated to blind students so they can attend the St. Petersburg Institute of Theology and Philosophy, one of the few schools in the country to accept the blind. She said it costs around $800 for a year’s tuition.

“So far, I was able to support two blind students until the graduation. It makes me happy to share my gift by helping those who cannot see to discover beauty of learning,” she said.

Matusevich teaches French and literature at UAF and says her artistic inspiration is as mixed as her background: Russian, Jewish and French.

“My other inspiration is the medieval art of illumination. As a professional medievalist, I have published a scholarly book in France and many articles in French, English and Russian. I am currently working on two other major publications. As an artist, I am just trying to be true to myself. If one can tell certain influences in my work, they are not intentional. More than anything, I love flowers and cats. It certainly shows in my paintings.”

After she attended art school in St. Petersburg, Russia, Matusevich’s first exhibit took place in Aix-en-Provence, France. She said that while living in France she led the career of a professional artist, having regular shows while working on commission. In 2005, she showed her work at a personal exhibit in St. Petersburg.

In Fairbanks, her work has been exhibited at Artworks, Alaska House, New Horizons and Annex galleries. Her cards are available at the UAF Bookstore, Gulliver’s and Alaska House. A children’s book she has written, “Baby Dreams,” will be published soon by Books Within Reach LL.

Despite a busy life as a UAF professor, Matusevich is dedicated to her artwork. “I paint whenever I can and wherever I can,” she said. “Not having a studio, but having a four-year-old, my main medium is acrylic (it dries fast).”

Since she doesn’t depend on art sales for support, she said she doesn’t need to compromise or commercialize her work. “I consider myself very fortunate, and I believe that this extra income should be given back to God. I paint because I love beauty. Beauty in people, flowers and animals overwhelms me, and I try to render this beauty in my work. When people started to buy my work, I decided that I must give back to the Lord the gift he freely gave me.”

The North Pole Art Society’s First Friday show runs from 4:30-9 p.m. with the artist’s reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

In addition, because the Grange Swap and Sell is the following day, the show will be open Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To get to the Grange Hall, follow the signs on Santa Claus Lane.

For more information on First Fridays, Watercolor Wednesday weekly sessions or North Pole Art Society, contact John Poirrier at 488-7247.

Grange swap and sell

The North Pole Grange is having its annual “swap and sell” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 at the Grange Hall. Beside tables loaded with treasures, vendors will also sell crafts and food. Spaces are available for $15. For information, contact John Poirrier at 488-7247.

Catholic rummage sale today

St. Nicholas Catholic Church is holding its annual rummage sale today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church social hall. The church is located at 707 St. Nicholas Drive in North Pole. Items of interest include baby gear, bicycles, clothes, kitchenware, exercise equipment and many other treasures. All sales are by donation.

If you have questions, call 488-2595.

Helping RyAnn drive

RyAnn Trettel is a paraplegic who was born with spina bifida in 1990. A group of her supporters is putting on a “food, fun, auction” fundraiser from 6-10 p.m. June 14 at Badger Den. The cost is $10 per adult and children can attend free of charge. The goal is to raise enough funds to send RyAnn to a four-week adaptive driving school in Seattle this summer.

According to Marie Trettel, Alaska does not offer driving courses that enable people with disabilities to get their driver’s license.

The estimated cost of travel expenses, driving course fees and the modification of a vehicle with a hydraulic ramp and hand controls is at least $7,500.

Direct donations can be made through account 1386790 at Alaska USA.

For more information, contact Marie Trettel at 488-3735.

Tommy Moose’s

ambulance ride

North Pole Moose Lodge #306 recently presented 12 Tommy Moose dolls to the North Pole Fire Department for use in their ambulances. For years, the department has carried stuffed animals in their ambulances because of their calming effect on traumatized children and even adults.

Bob Allen, who belongs to the NP Moose Lodge, said the moose dolls seemed appropriate for North Pole.

For five years, Moose fraternities around the country have supplied thousands of the plush stuffed dolls, free of charge, to ambulance and emergency services and for use in police cars and similar places, to give to distressed children.   And finally ...

Al Pavlicek, an old friend, keeps us well-supplied with e-mail jokes. This one is a keeper:

So this Department of Water Resources representative stops at a Texas ranch and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, “I need to inspect your ranch for your water allocation.”

The old rancher says, “OK, but don’t go in that field over there.”

The government representative puffs up and says, “Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me. See this card? This card means I am allowed to go wherever I wish on any agricultural land. No questions asked or answered. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?”

The old rancher nods politely and goes about his chores. Later, he hears loud screams and spies the water department rep running for his life and close behind is the ranch’s bull. The bull is gaining with every step.

The rep is clearly terrified, so the old rancher immediately throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs ...

“Your card! Show him your card!”