By Kate Butler

For the News

For the second consecutive year, Skagway artist Kate Kolodi submitted her application for the Jon and Jona Van Zyle Endowment. The Van Zyles’ focus for this endowment is described as, “…supporting artists who are ‘hell-bent’ on making a career out of their art, hoping to help them get established and contribute to the artistic landscape of Alaska.”

“My professional goal this year is to apply for as many things as I can. My big dream is to be published in an art magazine,” said Kolodi. “Applications take a lot of time and often cost money. It’s also just guaranteed rejection, and I haven’t always been in a good brain space for professional rejection. So, the idea I would actually win something is… it doesn’t seem real. It feels good to be seen. I’m incredibly honored and grateful.”

She submitted her letter of resignation to her job on a Monday, celebrated her birthday Tuesday, and received an email Wednesday that changed her outlook on leaving her hourly-wage job to focus on her art from “scary” to “manageable.”

“I laughed and cried for an hour or so,” she said.  “It felt like positive affirmation. I doubt there’s ever a good time to quit my job and gamble on myself…”

The application process, as described by Kolodi, is both personally and professionally taxing.

“The application asked several questions regarding my work and motivations, and it asked for examples of my recent work,” she noted. “The endowment is specifically for artists in Alaska, so there were also questions about my relationship with Alaska as an artist. I explained my previous live art events, various things I’ve participated in, and my goals for my future here. “

When asked in the application what she would put the money toward, she mentioned two online workshops offered by artists she admires and would love to indulge in, as well as hosting her own drawing workshops here in Skagway. This past summer, Kolodi hosted a three-night event in which she created a large-scale piece, from start to finish, with a live audience. This has evolved into the idea of Kolodi teaching the creative process of large-scale art to the Skagway community. 

“I love working large-scale because it requires my full body with big gestural, almost dance-like movements,” Kolodi said. “I dream of sharing that experience with our community. I want people to see how liberating it feels to think big and draw bigger. I’m having trouble finding the appropriate venue space, though. So, if anyone reading this has suggestions, please let me know! Ideally looking for lots of flat wall space where ten-ish people can have some elbow room.”

Jon and Jona Van Zyle created the endowment and shared that it is something they fund themselves. They believe in funding young artists: “Depending on the artist and person’s psyche and how they have been raised or what they believe in, what a person is, that depends on how hard it is in your mind to make it as an artist. It is not an easy process. You just have to keep doing it.”

Van Zyle spoke of Kolodi in high regard, stating, “her ability to create is something wonderful.” 

Five board members, including Van Zyle, review the applications from many artists and choose the winner each year.

Kolodi is ready to get to work. 

“Creating new work – actual pigment on paper – is realistically only about 30 percent of what I get to do. And that’s the only part I enjoy,” she said. “The other 70 percent is boring website stuff, social media engagement, preliminary research and development, prints and orders, events and markets….  But, this summer, I’ve suggested an unconventional approach for Skagway since I can’t imagine affording a brick-and-mortar spot this season. My plan is to offer live art in various businesses in town during the day, free of charge.”

Kolodi plans to post a calendar throughout town to show when and where to find her, fostering a symbiotic relationship in cross-promoting local businesses and offering people an additional reason to linger while viewing her process. 

“Art is empathy,” Kolodi expresses. “We need more of both. And that’s what I want. I want people to see my work and feel like they’ve been seen. This gives me the ability to share what I love with new people.”