The outer coast of the Kenai Peninsula is made up of dozens of deep fjords and countless coves and inlets. Carved out during the last glacial maximum by glaciers that still stream down from the Harding Icefield, this rockbound coast is a dramatic and dynamic place.
In summer months, this part of the Gulf of Alaska is one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet, measured by phytoplankton productivity. It’s made possible by a powerful combination of nearly twenty hours of sunlight, deep water upwelling at the edge of the continental shelf, and iron-rich sediment transported to the sea by glaciers. You can see the emerald swirls of plankton from space, and this plankton supports an incredibly diverse assemblage of marine invertebrates, fish, sea birds, and marine mammals.
Some wildlife stay for the whole summer, others use this area as a migration pathway; all are dependent on the healthy functioning of this ecosystem for their survival - including humans. For thousands of years, the Sugpiaq and other Alaska Native peoples have built their lives around the resources available along the outer coast. Today, these natural resources support and are enjoyed by people living, working, studying, fishing, touring, and recreating in these coastal waters.
Canvas & Ice emerged out of a desire to dedicate a season to adventuring under sail and create art inspired by the local biology and geology.
We are thrilled to participate in this long history of wildlife migrations and human travel along the Kenai Peninsula coast. We aspire to travel deliberately, to live lightly on the water, and to take the scenic route by sailing. For two months in the height of the Alaskan summer, we sail the 30’ sloop S/V Katabatic (named after density-driven winds that can descend from the icefield via glaciers) in an exploration of the Kenai Fjords. Departing from Seward, we voyage along the coast as weather permits.
During our sailing adventures we keep detailed journals of observations and drawings, carve linoleum for natural history block prints, assemble cyanotype prints from natural materials, document the changing landscape by repeating historical photographs of glaciers, and use specialized recording equipment to capture the unique soundscapes of tidewater glaciers, seabirds, and marine mammals - underwater and in the air.
Our goal is to foster appreciation for the rugged and remote fjords by bringing their sights and stories to town. We incorporate the art we make on the voyage into educational resources exploring the ecology and natural history of the region. Our hope is to make this information beautiful, digestible, and accessible to visitors and residents. There are many opportunities for collaborations, outreach, and connections.
Another goal is to promote sailing as a low-impact way of exploring in the fjords. Through stories, slideshows, and media we share our trips along the outer coast and celebrate the sense of wonder that inspires many adventures. Our hope is that this ongoing Canvas & Ice voyage will inspire many to get out on the water and pursue a dream trip of their own.