The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported this week that longtime Fairbanks gallery The Artworks will close its doors at the end of the month. It's the third Fairbanks gallery to close this year, preceded by New Horizons Gallery and The Stash.

Yolande Fejes, owner of The Alaska House Art Gallery in downtown Fairbanks, said she's been watching the closures with a heavy heart.

"It saddens me because the community needs to support art in general," Fejes said. "I know these times are tough, and it just is kind of a sad state of affairs."

By Fejes' count, there are just four galleries left in Fairbanks where local artists can sell their work, including hers.

"It's getting down there," she said. "I'm the only one in (downtown Fairbanks) at this point."

But Fejes isn't thrilled about the dwindling competition, which other business owners might greet with enthusiasm. Daughter of the late Claire Fejes, noted Fairbanks artist and author, Fejes said she would rather see visual arts venues multiply than disappear.

"I wish that there were 50 galleries," she said. "I don't see it as competition, I see it as a thriving art community. There are a lot of artists here ... If there were no art galleries in any community, what does that say about the community? The arts are all tied together, and the support of the arts has to come from the community."

The problem, as you might expect, is that art is the kind of spending people tend to do less of during times of economic trouble. The spate of gallery closings is indicative of a national trend, according to Fejes.

"It's not just Fairbanks," she said. "It certainly is a sign of the times in general. We're seeing a lot of big and important galleries that are not able to survive."

Fejes isn't panicking, but The Alaska House (which is not affiliated with the nonprofit Alaska House gallery in New York) has been tightening its belt a bit.

"I'm trying not to go to that fear place," she said. "We've been preparing for slower times, so we've cut our overhead dramatically." For several years now, the gallery has closed its doors in January and February to save on utilities and other expenses at a time when business tends to be slower, and that closure will happen as usual in 2010.

The recession wasn't the only factor contributing to The Artworks' closure, however; owner Gloria Fischer told the News-Miner she'd been thinking about closing for several years.

"I think that after 30 years of business, someone might be ready to retire anyway," Fejes said. "If things are in a downturn, you might not want to hang in there just because."

While not all gallery owners are willing -- or able -- to ride out tough economic times, given her family's history in the local arts community, Fejes said, she's in it for the long haul.

"You get into a business like this because you love it," she said. "It has to do with the community of being in this together and having artists be a part of it. You don't do it for the money; you do it for the love. We love the arts and we certainly appreciate how this community has supported the arts."

‘On the Ice' opens to online auditions

If you missed out on the chance to audition for "On the Ice," which will be filmed in Barrow next spring, we have good news: The filmmakers are now accepting auditions from Alaska Native actors, age 17 or older, via YouTube. For details on how to submit a video audition, visit the film's Web site or e-mail your name, age, gender and a current color photo to casting@ontheicemove.com.

Juneau