KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
It’s time now for the final installment of KMXT’s five-part series: Business on the Move. Each day this week KMXT featured a local business that is changing things up in 2013.
Alutiiq Museum has been operating at the same location on Mission Road for 17 years. Jill Lipka is the exhibits coordinator for the museum and said the idea to create a repository actually came after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
— (Alutiiq Museum 1 :33 “Our floor was specifically designed … to the lower 48.”)
She said the museum closed its doors on January 8 and began the much needed work of renovating multiple aspects of the facility.
— (Alutiiq Museum 2 :31 “Carpet, walls, new permanent …multiple uses.”)
Lipka said the renovation also allowed the museum to expand its exhibits.
— (Alutiiq Museum 3 :27 “And then along with that … reopen the doors.”)
In general, Lipka said there is an all around reshuffling of the museum. She said it will look very different when it reopens on April 5. She said the reopening will be a full blown celebration with refreshments, door prizes and even some cultural competitions.
Lipka said the plan to renovate was in the works for some time, but it took time to acquire funding.
— (Alutiiq Museum 4 :15 “And slowly but surely we built … Phillips of Alaska.”)
Despite being closed, Lipka said the museum has continued to provide educational opportunities, including art and culture workshops, for adults and children. She attributed the long closure to wait times for necessary supplies associated with the renovation. Lipka asked the community for continued patience, and to come celebrate the reopening on April 5.
And that wraps up our five-part series: Business on the Move. This week KMXT visited a number of businesses and organizations changing things up in 2013. Near Island Coffee opened up across the bridge on Near Island. Across town, another coffee shop, Mill Bay Coffee, downsized operations while still offering the same gourmet menu. La Tienda and Cactus Flats joined forces under one roof and Kodiak Marine Supply took on a slew of new merchandise after it opened a second location on Shelikof Street. We ended our series today with the renovation of Kodiak’s Alutiiq Museum.
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