Recently renovated, the 45,000-square-foot Egan Center hosts a wide range of conferences, concerts and meetings. The Egan also houses a collection of Alaska artwork that is worth a visit on its own. The majority of the work is showcased in the main lobby at street level (5th Avenue between E and F Street) in front of Explorers Hall.
The Beaded Sky Curtain
In the West end of the lobby, you'll find 35,000 feet of beads (most imported from the former Czechoslovakia) suspended on 200 feet of rods. The piece weighs in at a hefty 320 pounds, but creates a graceful, light depiction of the magnificent northern lights.
Eskimo Spirit Carvings
These five sculptures, created by the late I'upiat artist Melvin Olanna, were crafted from wood and whalebone and depict a man, a whale, an animal spirit mask, a seal spirit mask and a walrus mask.
Volcano Woman
Cordova artist John Hoover has said that shamanism, spirit helpers and soul catchers have long influenced his work. This red cedar sculpture in the main lobby's east seating area was inspired by a mythic Aleut figure.
Spirit Bridge
Behind the Egan Center, on the plaza in front of the Visitor Information Center, you'll find this spiraling, stainless steel and granite arch, created by sculptor Roger Barr and inspired by aviator Robert Hartig.
*For convenient parking, we recommend the JC Penney& City Hall parking garages.
