Film, Culture, and Curiosity: CLA on Display at AROH
Pat Druckenmiller, Earth Science Curator at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, sets up a display of fossilized bones at the 2023 UAF Arctic Research Open House.
The Arctic Research Open House is a UAF-wide event that invites the community to explore how science, art, and culture intersect in Alaska鈥檚 unique environment. Among the many activities across campus, the College of Liberal Arts is offering a dynamic lineup of experiences that showcase the human side of Arctic research. From unearthing ancient artifacts in the Archaeology Experience, to discovering the cultural significance of mushrooms at the Mushroom Cultures and Cultivation Expo, to learning the beauty and craft behind traditional fly fishing in the Art of Fly Fishing Immersion, CLA鈥檚 contributions connect Alaska鈥檚 landscapes, traditions, and stories to visitors of all ages. Inside the Murie Auditorium, guests can also experience Alaska Stories on Screen鈥攁 showcase of short films created by Alaska Native and local filmmakers through UAF鈥檚 FRAME Film Production Services. Whether you鈥檙e curious about the past, passionate about the environment, or simply looking for a fun, educational outing, CLA鈥檚 activities at the Arctic Research Open House invite you to engage with the rich cultural and ecological heritage of Alaska.
The Arctic Research Open House takes place on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. across UAF鈥檚 West Ridge.
Fungi, Fly Fishing, Film & Finds with CLA
Mushrooms in Culture and Cultivation Expo
Andrew Forbes, an award-winning student innovator majoring in Psychology and Ethnobotany, is once again teaming up with , started by longtime UAF researchers of mushroom use across cultures Profs Sveta Yamin-Pasternak and Igor Pasternak) to celebrate foraging, cultivation, and art. Come learn about the bioluminescent fungi that will glow in your room during the dark winter nights, the beloved boreal forest mushrooms long-awaited by Alaska's avid foragers, the mushroom growing kits for beginners to adorn your living space and delight your palate year-round!
Fly Fishing: Art & Science
As part of (The Love Alaska Collective for the Anthropological Study of Aesthetics, a started with the support of the National Science Foundation to investigate how beauty and function merge in everyday living arts) Prof Igor Pasternak will present on fly fishing and fly tying. Come learn about the birds, animals, fungi, and myriad other sources of materials used in the art and science of tying the fishing flies, practice the dance and physics fly rod casting, and be part of the richest cultural lore: the sharing of fishing stories!
The UAF Department of Theatre and Film, in collaboration with FRAME Film Production Services, invites AROH visitors to experience Alaska through a powerful lineup of seven short films. Created by Alaska Native and local filmmakers, these works explore themes of climate justice, cultural heritage, intergenerational knowledge, and the arts. With two 90-minute screenings in the Murie Auditorium, guests can immerse themselves in stories that reflect the challenges and resilience of Arctic communities. FRAME, UAF鈥檚 professional media production unit, brings together faculty, students, and community partners to amplify local voices through place-based storytelling.
Archaeology Experience
The AROH visitors will have a unique opportunity to learn how to excavate and interpret archaeological artifacts, while working with the archaeological teaching collections of the UAF Anthropology Department and Museum of the North. The expertise of the Anthropology faculty and graduate students at UAF spans the study of the human experience from our very deep past to the peoples and culture of today. Several world-renown experts from the UAF anthropology community, whose research findings are featured in , , and , will be onsite at the Arctic Research Open House to guide visitors through the process of archaeological excavation and to answer questions.
Indigenous Voices & Arctic Visions
Join us in the Murie Auditorium for a powerful lineup of seven short films that highlight Alaska鈥檚 people, culture, and place-based stories.
As part of the Arctic Research Open House, the UAF Department of Theatre and Film presents a curated selection of seven short films produced by FRAME Film Production Services. These works highlight Alaska Native and local stories, focusing on themes of climate justice, cultural heritage, youth leadership, and the arts.
Visitors can enjoy these powerful films during two showings in the Murie Auditorium, each approximately 90 minutes in length. Whether you鈥檙e looking to deepen your understanding of Arctic communities or simply take a break from the outdoor festivities, these screenings offer an immersive storytelling experience.
UAF FRAME
Film Production Services Program
Run Time
90 minutes
Show Times
4:00pm & 5:30pm
Location
Murie Auditorium
* To donate to the Psychology Department, select "Other" from the drop-down menu and specify Psychology Department in the space provided.
The Lineup:
Mending the Net: Alaska Native Elders Mentoring Elders
11 mins
Wisdom flows across generations in this film about Elders teaching Elders. Through camps led by Denakkanaaga, Athabascan traditions are revived, celebrated, and passed on with care and cultural pride.
Alaska Native Filmmakers: Stories of Climate Justice
15 mins
Through powerful, personal films, Alaska Native creators confront climate change鈥檚 toll on their communities, capturing resilience, activism, and deep ties to land in this debut showcase from the Filmmakers Intensive.
Kohtr鈥檈lneyh: Remembering Forward: Alaska's Just Transition Summit
11 mins
With evocative imagery, this film reflects on Alaska鈥檚 Just Transition Summit, highlighting Indigenous visions for a sustainable future grounded in justice, culture, and the strength of community-led change.
Diiyeghan naii Taii Tr鈥檈edaa (We Will Walk the Trail of our Ancestors)
9 mins
Guided by his stories, a Gwich鈥檌n grandfather teaches his granddaughter how ancestral values of reciprocity shape life, land, and relationships in this intimate and beautifully filmed journey.
To Continue or Be Remembered: Perpetuating and Sharing Alaska Native Arts
26 mins
Alive with creativity, this film honors Alaska Native artists and educators at the 海角论坛 as they sustain traditional arts and ensure cultural knowledge lives on through generations.
Intergenerational Dialogue Exchange and Action with Alaska Native Youth
9 mins
Rooted in Alaska Native culture, the IDEA program empowers youth through mentorship and digital storytelling, blending Indigenous wisdom with modern education to foster resilience, identity, and wellness in schools.
Moose Camp with the Elders
10 mins
Set during a five-day fall camp, this film follows Elders harvesting a moose while passing down Athabascan values, creating a powerful space for cultural learning, respect, and intergenerational healing.