Entry No. 2 — the Anchorage file — filed under: outdoor
"Spen" — the Spam Can & Raven Sculpture
A giant cast-bronze Spam can with a raven perched on top, planted along Spenard Road by artist John Coyne as part of the neighborhood's corridor public-art program. It's a deadpan monument to Spenard's scrappy, weird self-image that most drivers blow right past.
The story
Spenard has long owned its reputation as Anchorage's unapologetically weird, scrappy pocket of town. When the city funded public art for the Spenard Corridor Plan through its Percent for Art program, artist John Coyne passed on majestic salmon and soaring eagles. Instead, he cast a giant bronze Spam can, perched a raven directly on top of it, and titled the piece "Spen."
In Alaska, Spam is a ubiquitous pantry staple and ravens are the undisputed street lords, making Coyne's deadpan bronze sculpture a hyper-local monument to everyday Alaskan reality. Planted right on the curbside along Spenard Road near West 27th Avenue rather than tucked safely into a civic plaza or gallery, it treats canned lunch meat and a trash-scavenging bird with the stoic gravity of a historical memorial.
What it's like
Expect an unassuming roadside discovery that you will instantly miss if you drive past at normal speed. Standing curbside along busy Spenard Road near West 27th Avenue, the sculpture sits at eye level right against the commercial sidewalk. Park on a quiet side street and hunt for it on foot. Long summer evenings provide ample light for photos, but winter plows and heavy snowbanks can bury the small monument completely. Keep an eye out for moving traffic while stepping up to inspect the bronze details, then use it as an anchor for a walking loop through the neighborhood's nearby cafes, thrift spots, and bars.
The move: Do a slow Spenard walking loop hunting for it on foot, snap a photo with the raven, then argue over whether Spam is good actually.
📍 Before you go It stands curbside along Spenard Road near W. 27th Avenue, in the heart of the Spenard neighborhood, planted as part of the corridor's public-art program rather than tucked in a plaza. It's small and low-key, so most people in cars miss it entirely; you'll spot it more reliably on foot, so park on a side street and walk the stretch. Daylight makes for the best photos, and Anchorage's long summer evenings give you plenty of it, while winter darkness and snowbanks can swallow it. This is a busy commercial street, so mind traffic and don't block driveways. Pair it with Spenard's bars, cafes, and thrift shops for an easy walking loop. Note that corridor roadwork has occasionally shifted things, so its exact spot may move.
- 📍 Spenard
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Spenard Road near W. 27th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503
Hours: Outdoor, visible anytime; best in daylight
Pair it with
- Spenard's Neon Palm Tree — Continue your Spenard roadside oddity scavenger hunt two blocks away at this 33-foot steel palm tree, a remnant of a 1960s tiki hotel.
- Bear Tooth Theatrepub — Walk a minute down Spenard Road to catch a movie in a reserved booth while drinking Broken Tooth beer and eating pizza.
- Penny Royalty — Duck into this vintage clothing and art cooperative right across from Bear Tooth after doing your sidewalk sculpture loop.
- Dos Manos Gallery — Pair Coyne's public bronze with a trip to this nearby gallery showcasing eccentric works from over 100 local Alaskan artists.
Good to know
Where exactly is the sculpture located?
It stands along the curb of Spenard Road near W. 27th Avenue in Anchorage, Alaska, placed along the sidewalk as part of a municipal corridor art program.
When is the best time to visit?
It is an outdoor sculpture visible anytime 24/7, though daylight is best for spotting it. Alaska's summer offers late-night daylight, whereas winter snowbanks can obscure the piece.
Who created the sculpture and why?
It was created by artist John Coyne under Anchorage's public art program to capture Spenard's quirky self-image by pairing canned Spam with a Alaskan raven.
Is there dedicated parking at the site?
No, it sits directly along a public commercial street sidewalk. You should park on a neighboring side street and walk over.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Facebook · alaskapublic.org
last checked: 2026-06-06