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Annual Art Print / Poster

Each year, the Alaska Railroad Corporation commissions an artist to produce artwork that is the basis for a limited edition print, poster and lapel pin and other gifts and materials. The annual Alaska Railroad artwork is a favorite among rail fans and Alaska art collectors. These collector's items are available for sale through the Anchorage Historic and Fairbanks depots, as well as the online Gift Shop. The Railroad has traditionally produced 750 signed and numbered prints, 4,000 posters and several thousand lapel pins.

2012 Art Print Sale-and-Signing Events Scheduled

The The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) will release its 2012 annual poster/print during two public sale-and-signing events in December.  2012 print artist Taffina Katkus will be on-hand to sign the prints and posters.

  • SEWARD: Friday, December 2, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., at the Dale Lindsey Intermodal Terminal (913 Port Avenue); held in conjunction with the Seward Holiday Craft Fair
     
  • ANCHORAGE: Saturday, December 3, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Anchorage Historic Depot (411 W. First Avenue)
     
  • FAIRBANKS: Saturday, December 10, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Fairbanks Depot (1745 Johansen Expressway)

Current Print 

Annual Print History

2012 Commemorative Art Print Contest

During the last solicitation for artwork submissions in spring 2011, the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) chose two artists - one (Taffina Katkus) to create the 2012 print artwork and another (Susan Watkins) to create the 2013 print artwork. The railroad had specifically requested art ideas featuring Seward, since this important railroad community had not yet been featured in an annual print. Dozens of submissions were reviewed, with enough exceptional pieces/ideas to provide the basis for the next two years.

By the end of 2012, the Alaska Railroad will again begin soliciting submissions from Alaska artists who wish to compete in the 2014 Alaska Railroad Art Print Contest. Dates to remember:

  • mid-February 2013 – 2012 print contest submissions Must be received by 5:00 p.m.
  • Mid-March 2013 – Committee review complete; winning entry selected.
  • March 31, 2013 – Artists notified of contest results.
  • mid-April 2013 – Submissions must be retrieved.
  • April 16, 2013 – Submissions not retrieved will be discarded
  • September 30, 2013 – Chosen artist must deliver completed artwork 
  • early December 2013 – Chosen artist participates in sale-and-signing events  

 
Artist ideas must have an Alaska Railroad theme to be considered.  Artists chosen to design the artwork as the basis for a print are paid $3,000, and are given 10 artist proofs and 20 posters. The artist must agree to participate in sale-and-signing events in Anchorage and in Fairbanks, typically organized in December or the following January. The Alaska Railroad will pay for the artist’s travel expenses. The Alaska Railroad retains all and exclusive rights to the artwork.

A selection will be made by the end of March 2013. A committee will review the submissions and the successful artist will be notified by telephone and by U.S. mail. The selected artist can request access to Alaska Railroad property for research purposes by contacting Corporate Communications Officer Stephenie Wheeler at (907) 265-2671. Safety is of paramount concern at the Alaska Railroad, and coordination is required before entering Alaska Railroad property. The selected artist must complete the artwork by early September. Prints are typically made available to the public by early December.

Artwork that is not selected as the basis for the 2014 print will be returned to the submitting artists. In order to be returned by mail, submissions must include a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Artwork can also be retrieved in person.