Art, Story, and Upcycled Materials
Meet the Artist Behind Our 2025 Filmmaker Awards
Art is woven into everything we do at Coast. From year-round film screenings to gallery installations during the festival, creativity isn’t an add-on — it’s part of our identity. Each year, we collaborate with an artist whose values align with ours to create one-of-a-kind awards for our filmmakers — tangible reminders of the nine days spent together in community.
For the 2025 Coast Film & Music Festival, we’re honored to feature Allie Spurlock, a Sitka, Alaska–based artist who transforms reclaimed glass fishing floats into striking works of art.
About the Artist
Allie Spurlock lives in Sitka, a small island community deeply connected to the sea. Originally from Washington State, she moved north to work in the fishing industry before turning her lifelong artistic practice into a full-time pursuit. Her work centers on transformation — giving discarded materials a second life through thoughtful, hand-crafted design.
Rather than traditional canvases, Allie works with found objects like glass fishing floats, buoys, and other coastal remnants. Her art reflects Alaska’s rugged shoreline, marine life, and the rhythms of subsistence living. As she puts it, “I love the idea that something that’s outlived its purpose in life can have a second chance.”
The Art
Glass fishing floats were historically used by fishermen in Japan to keep nets afloat and are now iconic beachcombing treasures found along Alaska’s coastline. Allie hand-etches these floats with images of marine wildlife and life at sea, creating large, one-of-a-kind pieces that carry both history and intention.
Each piece is unique — a quiet testament to upcycling, craftsmanship, and the stories carried by the ocean.
Why We Chose Her Work
The films showcased at Coast are rooted in nature, adventure, and our relationship with the natural world. Allie’s ethos — second chances, recycled materials, reverence for place — mirrors that mission beautifully.
Like the filmmakers who travel from near and far to Laguna Beach, these glass floats once drifted across oceans. The awards are more than trophies — they’re symbols of connection, community, and shared stories.
✨ Read the full story, view the artwork, and see more from Allie Spurlock on our Substack.
👉 Continue reading on Substack →