Entry No. 17 — the Anchorage file — filed under: funktional
Dos Manos Gallery
A self-described 'FUNKtional' art gallery showing work from over 100 Alaskan artists across a winding spiral staircase with landings staged as little collections. The name comes from a handmade Mexican porcelain sink the founder hauled north on a plane and installed in the bathroom; the stock runs from stickers and tea towels to mosaics, pottery, and fine art, mostly local and always funky.
The story
Most galleries project a sterile, white-cube quiet, but Dos Manos leans entirely into Spenard-style idiosyncrasy. Tucked inside Suite 3 of an ordinary Midtown commercial strip on Northern Lights Boulevard, the gallery gets its name from a surprisingly literal piece of history: the founder hauled a handmade Mexican porcelain sink onto an airplane, flew it all the way north to Alaska, and plumbed it straight into the bathroom. You didn't hear it from us, but that sink set the baseline for the gallery's self-described 'FUNKtional' ethos.
Inside, the inventory unfolds around a central spiral staircase. Rather than wide-open halls, each stair landing is staged as a mini-collection showing off work from over 100 Alaskan artists. You'll encounter fine art, custom mosaics, and hand-thrown pottery side-by-side with screen-printed tea towels and eccentric local stickers. It rewards a slow climb, giving you a genuine cross-section of what regional makers are creating when they aren't designing for mass tourist gift shops.
What it's like
Watch the unit numbers along Northern Lights Boulevard carefully rather than searching for a flashy storefront, as Suite 3 sits inside a busy commercial strip with free lot parking right out front. The gallery is compact and tightly packed, so give yourself time to pause at each landing along the spiral staircase without rushing. Locals rely on it as a steady source for authentic local art and offbeat mementos. If you want the most active neighborhood vibe, drop in during the monthly Spenard Second Saturday art walk before heading out to wander the surrounding strip's indie eateries and bars.
The move: Climb the spiral staircase together, pausing at each landing's mini-collection, and challenge each other to find the strangest affordable Alaskan oddment (sticker, mosaic, or weird ceramic) to take home as a memento of the date.
📍 Before you go It's a small Suite 3 tucked inside a strip of businesses on busy Northern Lights Blvd at Midtown's Spenard edge, so watch the unit numbers rather than hunting for a grand storefront; free lot parking out front is typical here. The gallery is compact and rewards an unhurried pace, so go when you can linger over each landing instead of rushing. For the liveliest visit, aim for the monthly Spenard Second Saturday art walk, when neighborhood shops stay open and the area buzzes. Afterward, the surrounding Spenard strip is thick with quirky bars and indie eateries worth wandering into.
- 📍 Spenard / Midtown
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1317 W Northern Lights Blvd, Suite 3, Anchorage, AK 99503
Hours: Storefront gallery; verify current hours via Yelp or dosmanosgallery.com before visiting.
Pair it with
- Bear Tooth Theatrepub — Located just 0.1 miles away, Bear Tooth is the logical next move to order a pizza and house margarita while watching a movie from a reserved booth.
- Penny Royalty — Sitting 0.1 miles down the road, this cooperative boutique lets you transition from local artwork to vintage clothing and handmade jewelry.
- "Spen" — the Spam Can & Raven Sculpture — Planted 0.1 miles away on Spenard Road, John Coyne’s giant bronze Spam can sculpture makes a quick roadside oddity pitstop between visits.
- Spenard's Neon Palm Tree — Standing 0.2 miles away, this illuminated 33-foot steel palm tree—a relic from the 1960s Paradise Inn—adds another piece of historic Spenard quirk to your walk.
Good to know
How do I find Dos Manos Gallery and where do I park?
Look for Suite 3 at 1317 W Northern Lights Blvd near Midtown's Spenard edge; free parking lot spaces are available directly out front.
Why is the gallery named Dos Manos?
The name originates from a handmade Mexican porcelain sink that the founder hand-carried on a plane to Anchorage and installed in the gallery's bathroom.
What kind of artwork is sold here?
The inventory features work from over 100 Alaskan artists, ranging from stickers, tea towels, and mosaics to pottery and fine art.
How is the gallery laid out inside?
The layout winds around a spiral staircase, with each landing curated as its own mini-collection of Alaskan crafts and art.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-06