Anchorage is saying adieu to the building that housed the last self-described sex business in Anchorage, and it's going out with quite a bang. Throughout April, the Light Brigade and friends teamed up with the Writer's Block and Cook Inlet Housing Authority, to put on a large scale art exhibition and community event.
Inside the event
New owners of the property saw a unique opportunity in the building before tearing it down. After teaming up with local artists and community outreach organizers, the concept for "Transforming Adults Only, A Neighborhood Interaction," was born.
The team opened it up to artists from around the city, to do with it what they wanted, while their community engagement team worked to spread the word to Spenardians. Murals, portraits, drawings and performances echoed through the halls of this once seedy building. Meanwhile, outside the community outreach team gathered information from Spenard residents, capturing stories and quotes on video and posters lining the fence.
After the final exhibit, on Friday, April 29, 2016, the building will be demolished. In the fall of 2016 a family friendly bookstore and cafe will stand in the place of Adults Only, welcoming artists from all over.