Художник Анкориджа готовит сэндвичи для бездомных и делится историей района Спенард

‘It’s our dump, we love it’: Anchorage artist talks about the history of Spenard and why he makes sandwiches every day ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - When Duke Russell is asked to describe himself, he doesn’t start by talking about his artwork. Work that is prolific, documenting Alaska, with a heavy focus on Spenard, that started decades ago. There are his comic books, stickers, triptychs of mountains, treasure maps, paintings of people, neighborhood bands and images from a bygone era of Alaska. MORE: Catch up on our entire series of ‘So We Asked’! He starts by talking about sandwiches and soup, which he gives to people who are homeless. “I would ride on my scooter and pick up day-old bread from Fire Island, and then if I had pastries, I’d go down to Town Square and I’d pass them all out,” Russell said. Russell has lived in Alaska for 50 years. He’s seen and known just about everything and everyone. When he was 12, as Russell tells the story, he would walk around Anchorage for hours. It’s a tradition he continued, although sometimes he uses a scooter now. The word “artist,” Russell says, is difficult. “It’s been said when it comes to art or poetry or philosophy or something, it’s a title best used by someone else referring to you,” Russell said. Food, Russell says, is also a form of art. “Making food is a great expression of creativity and especially when you use humble ingredients, and it’s an expression of love too,” Russell said. “I’m still very involved with doing artwork. There’s a jazz night at Fire Island on Mondays, and I love going there and drawing new musicians, and I just do that for my own pleasure. It’s a way for me to keep my hand in the life drawing, and drawing people.” Copyright 2026 KTUU. All rights reserved.