Co-Op Arts.com

Artists > Ken Kokjer

Co-Op Arts Manager

Ken is originally from Nebraska and is a self-professed nerd with a background in physics, biophysics, electrical engineering, computers and communications.

His skills include: flying (he owns a Cessna 182 and loves to travel); technical crafts in electronics, ham radio and computing; carpentry, woodworking and other building skills; photography; and (developing) Gallery creation and management.

For 35 years, Ken’s main art form has been vocal music.  He has sung in many performances with the University-Community Chorus, the Alaska Chamber Chorale, the Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre and Opera Fairbanks – as a soloist, lead and within the choruses. He is also learning to play the steel drums.

After a 20 year career with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (teaching Electrical Engineering, developing instrumentation for biological research), a subsequent 19 year career with the DOI/BLM’s Alaska Fire Service (supervising computer support & radio shop, telecommunications planning), and nearly three years of happy retirement (extensive traveling), Ken was suddenly thrust into the role of creating an art co-operative and a gallery.  With little business background, but an optimistic spirit and the support of the original ten artist members, Co-Op Arts as an organization and a gallery was created, from nothing more than a dream and raw space, in 42 days!  The organization is very much a work in progress, the gallery changes at least monthly, and Ken is having fun with his third career!