The Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), with assistance from state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, recently launched an Artistic License Plate program to celebrate Alaskan identity and pride. The new plate was designed by an emerging artist selected through an inaugural statewide competition. Filmmaker and council member Pat Race designed the initiative’s website, and other prominent figures from the arts and public sectors volunteered as celebrity judges. A blind jury narrowed the plate design selections to five finalists after receiving 142 submissions from people of all ages and localities around the state. Seventeen thousand Alaskans voted on the final design and selected Anita Laulainen‘s original design illustrating the majestic northern lights on the Alaskan landscape. The proceeds from license plate sales will be reinvested into artistic and cultural programs by ASCA. Please contact Executive Director Andrea Noble-Pelant for more information.