Photo by CHRIS AREND / Courtesy Anchorage Museum
Sydney Laurence's painting "Mount McKinley" is a favorite with visitors to the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. It's part of a collection of Alaska landscape paintings in the Art of the North Gallery. The gallery has closed as the museum prepares to move into its expanded space later this year.

There is good news and bad news at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center this week.

Good news: The museum has temporarily lowered its adult admission price to $5.

Bad news: The reason for the reduction is the temporary closure of the Art of the North galleries because of renovations in connection with the museum expansion.

The Art of the North galleries are my favorite spot at the museum. Regardless of the reason I go to the museum -- and as a member, I go often -- I always stop in to look at the massive Sydney Laurence painting of Denali and other favorites that depict the life and scenery of the north.

Don't get the impression that the museum isn't worth a visit. There is still quite a bit to see, including the second-floor Alaska Gallery, the museum’s history gallery, and the atrium galleries on both the first and second floors.

Currently on view through March in the atrium galleries are: "Life in Alaska Leading to Statehood," which re-creates 1950s Alaska through photographs and objects; "Northwest Black Pioneers," which tells the stories of Black pioneers seeking freedom and opportunity in Alaska, Oregon and Washington; "Synthesizing Ideas: 2009 Anchorage School District Art Exhibit;" and "I Draw the Line ... On Ignorance, Racism, Violence and Hatred!," an exhibit of art by Anchorage high school students.

The entire museum will close March 30 through May 29 for the move into the addition.

The expanded museum will return to usual admission rates after May 30, when the museum hosts a grand opening of its expansion building featuring live music, food vendors and family art activities. Opening day admission and festivities are free. Regular admission is $8 adults, $7 seniors and military.

The museum's winter hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

If you're visiting between now and March 30, you get a little less art to look at, but you get a bargain. And if you’re planning to visit during the regular tourism season (June to August) be sure to put the expanded museum on your to-do list.

-- Steve