Several artists have painted buoys and chairs to help raise funds for BHV! The artworks are on display downtown for residents and visitors to enjoy all summer. Our online auction runs September 20th-27th, 2025. Final bids can be made on exclusive buoys during the Banquet and Live Auction Event at the Odess Theater on September 27th. More information about the event can be found HERE.

September 20th-27th, 2025

We're All In This Together

by DJ Robidou

9" buoy

Connected!

by DJ Robidou

7.5" Buoy

Sea Turtles

By Pat Kehoe

9" Buoy

I've always been fascinated by Sea Turtles swimming majestically through the deep blue seas, sometimes as far north as off-shore SE Alaska. The algae and sea grasses they eat tint their cartilage green thus their name. My turtles swim silently through larger than life diatoms eaten frequently by younger turtles. These turtles inspire me to respect our shared oceans and try to keep plastics out of their diet.

Pat Kehoe has lived and painted in SE Alaska for 45 years and spent most of that time on or around the sea appreciating the beauty of our world. You will see more of Pat’s art at Island Artist Gallery.

Flora and Fauna by

Liz Morrow

11" Buoy

For my buoy I wanted to celebrate some of my favorite flora and fauna in the Sitka area. On one side of the buoy there are undersea creatures and plant life, and on the other side are topside creatures and plants. For the undersea side I included salmon, kelp, a seal, sea star, and an otter mama and baby. For the land side I painted a slug, ermine, mussels (which also count as undersea, but they’re topside during low tide!), salmonberry, ravens, lupine, and a bald eagle.

Peeking Through the Kelp Forrest

By Kim Gleason

9" Buoy

My name is Kimberly Gleason, and I’ve lived in Alaska for over 35 years-31 of those in Sitka, which I proudly call home. I grew up in Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, where I focused on elementary education and art.

Art remains a passion of mine, and it’s truly an honor to be invited each year to create a buoy for Braveheart. This year’s piece holds a special meaning for me. I call it Peeking through the kelp forest – a title inspired by the quiet mystery of Alaska’s underwater landscapes. The figure in the painting bears a striking resemblance to my beautiful daughter Tyla, which makes this piece especially close to my heart.

@itskimjo_yo

Kimberly Gleason

Wildflowers of Sitka

By Sandra Butler

12” Buoy

While my home base is in New England, I am beginning to feel like a “local” after spending three full winters in Sitka - and now an extended period of time, as my husband and I support my 92 year old father-in-law. This, the third buoy I’ve painted for BHV, was completely different from the last two (which were ocean-related - sea stars and moon jellies). It allowed me to engage several of my interests; vibrant colors, painting, elders, and the amazing botanical environment of the Tongass.

The wildflower theme was suggested to me by my mother-in-law, Irene Shuler, who sadly passed away this April -right when her brilliant tulips were in full bloom. She loved all flowers, particularly the beautiful wildflowers of Sitka, and urged me to give them a try. She shared her deep passion and knowledge of wildflowers with me and I was amazed to learn that she knew, by heart, the Latin names of most of them. This buoy is dedicated to her.

Can you distinguish all 10 flowers?

1. The Sitka Rose (rosa rugosa); known for its exceptional hardiness, large fragrant flowers, and sharp thorns

2. The Nootka Lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis); a tall impressive purple-blue flower common throughout Southeast, AK

3. Labrador Tea (Labrador Tealedum Groenlandicum): a medicinal plant said to be good for everything from sore throats to kidney problems, Irene’s favorite!

4. Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon pulchellum); abundant in coastal and forest meadows, these showy flowers can grow up to 18” tall on leafless stems

5. Wild Iris (Iris setosa); these tall, elegant deep-violet flowers can be found blooming all around Sitka, particularly in June

6. Fireweed (chamerion angustifolium); has the ability to thrive in recently disturbed areas such as those burned by fire

7. Western Columbine (Aguilegia formosa); its red and yellow drooping flowers attract long-tongued pollinators, particularly hummingbirds

8. Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria camschatcensis); despite a somewhat foul odor, the bell-shaped flowers are very showy in deep brownish colors

9. Dwarf Dogwood (cornus canadensis); also known as bunchberries, these are small white ground flowers with four petals nestled in the leaves along the bottom of my buoy

10. Forget-me-nots (Myosotis alpestris); How could I forget Alaska’s official State flower and emblem, adopted when Alaska became the 49th state in 1959? I enlarged this tiny blue flower and covered the bottom of my buoy with them.

sandybutler711@gmail.com www.sandrabutler.com

Diving Southeast

By Abigail Brady

9" Buoy

Although I started with hardly a plan save my adoration for urchin tests/shells (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) - soon the inspiration for this buoy was made evident by my love for the waters of Southeast Alaska. Urchin tests are one of the treasures I actively look for during SCUBA diving at local dive sites. There is always a little thrill to find one of significant size and in such pristine shape! Of course I also enjoy the occasional uni (sea urchin eggs) and always try to keep the test undamaged for they make remarkable aquatic souvenirs. On the flip side, literally, are parts of dive sites I enjoy most. In early summer the salmon fry are swimming in schools amongst the kelp, little glimmers of silver in the clearing murk. On nice days when the sun shines through the growing kelp, it casts warm glows across the ocean floor. Greenlings and varying rockfish dart into rocks in your presence, though some are courageous or aren't bothered. These peaceful moments in the first 30 minutes of diving is what I cherish most, before the chill really sets in!

Inkling

By Angie Eaton

9" Buoy

Buoy represents: A glimmer of hope! As we live our daily lives we hope for the best. We do everything to move forward, but we are unaware of the obstacles, the dangers that could present itself at any moment! As we move through our lives it is with hope that we can find a path worth living and see all the beauty that lies ahead.

It is with family, friends and a strong community that we survive our battles , and return to a feeling and place of hope to live a beautiful life!

Name: Angie Eaton

Phone: 623-8642

Email: angelyn84120@yahoo.com

You can see my photography and paintings on Facebook, and instagram.

Thank you,

Angie Eaton

Tree Buoy Inspiration

By Holly Morris

7.5" Buoy

Southeast Alaska landscapes were the inspiration for the trees depicted on this buoy. Acrylic paint pens were used to depict the vegetation, tidal zone and sky, and I let the orange buoy shine through as the distant mountains. Also, I worked around/kept the rope and hook that were attached to the buoy when I selected it.

Look Up

By Angie DelMoral

7.5" Buoy

Loneliness and grief can leave anyone feeling hopeless or isolated, and these are the challenges I pondered while painting my buoy. I called it, Look Up, to serve as a reminder that, even in our bleakest moments, it can help us to look up to gain a new perspective and believe that things will eventually start to look up again. The birds on my buoy are meant to encourage us to lift our eyes to find renewed hope and brightness

Floating Forget-Me-Nots

By Annie Causey

7.5" Buoy

One of the first signs of Spring colors are the meadows of Dandelions and Forget Me Nots. Spring brings a breath of fresh air to the world around us and I thought I'd try to capture a part of that by covering the buoy in Forget Me Nots. I hope this buoy reminds someone in the darker times to Not Forget!! Colorful sunny Spring is coming!

Floral Buoy Inspiration

By Holly Morris

13" Buoy

I used the cracks and pits I found on the buoy to create floral patterns using acrylic paint pens. I started by outlining the shapes with a black pen and then colored the shapes. In a few cases, I let the raw color and texture of the buoy become flower petals.

Holly Morris Artist Biography

Born in Connecticut and raised in Colorado, Holly Morris is a lifelong artist. Her artistic parents filled her early years with outdoor adventures in the mountains, plains and deserts. Holly’s rich artistic childhood led her to attend the University of Northern Colorado art program and its Study in Florence, Italy. After her UNC graduation, she was employed as a geologic map painter, an experience that led her to pursue a geology degree from the University of Colorado. Holly has worked as an artist/geologist in Alaska since 1995 and currently calls Sitka home. Some of her artwork is available on Instagram @hollyartgeo.

Salmonberry Delight

By Jessica Killeen

13" Buoy

While painting this buoy, I was channeling my awe and appreciation of all that this land . Food and medicine from the land and sea. We embark into breathtaking landscapes and, there, find abundance. Vibrant, resilient, potent. The harvest is an adventure itself. The harvest is a memory, best shared. These are my salmonberries, in gratitude and delight.

Hanging Pansies

By James Poulson and family

13" Buoy

"Hanging Pansies" The buoy was started by James Poulson, who overcommitted himself. His daughter, a genius at time management, art and consideration, finished it and gave it back as a Christmas gift to return for the Brave Heart Volunteer fundraiser. Pat Kehoe put the final touches on it. Best Christmas gift ever.

One Wish

By Kate Baer

13" Buoy

“One wish” by Kate Pino is a reflection of the shared hope of all mothers. A safe, nourishing environment for all children to thrive. I chose the image of a humpback whale and baby because I’ve been fascinated with these majestic creatures since the late 90s when I came to Sitka to attend Sheldon Jackson. I recently learned that they go through menopause and are part of a matriarchal society which has just deepened my love and respect.

THANK YOU to the sponsors of our
2025 Buoys & Chairs Auction!

There's still time to sponsor our auction! If your business would like a sponsorship opportunity, please call (907) 747-4600.

Sponsor our auction fundraiser and BHV will post your logo:

on the lamppost near your buoy (countless views)
and website link on the auction website (6,000+ views)
on the BHV website for one year (350+ monthly visitors)
in our Fall newsletter (850+ subscribers)
in social media posts (1,300 followers)

September 20th-27th, 2025

THANK YOU to the sponsors of our 2025 Buoys & Chairs Auction!

THANK YOU to the sponsors of our
2025 Buoys & Chairs Auction!