What began as a keen interest in art collecting developed into a full-fledged love for art. In 1977, Pat & Pam Stephan opened their first art gallery in downtown Anchorage, Alaska.  Twenty-seven years later, their oldest daughter, Becky, took the reigns and has been running Stephan's since 2003.  Much to Becky's surprise, the gallery has inspired in her a desire to produce work of her own, and she now is in the process of developing her own art presence in the gallery.  Pat and Pam have since moved to Palm Springs, California, and Pam has taken up oil painting, inspired by the various art masters she and Pat have been personally acquainted with over the years.

Pat was born in Anchorage in 1945 to Walter & LaPriel Stephan.  Walter hitchhiked to Alaska as a teenager, and LaPriel moved to Alaska at the age of 16 to care for a sick sister, living in what was know as "tent city" (brrrr).  At that time, Anchorage abounded with opportunity, as it swelled with adventure-seeking new residents. Pat and Pam met at a young age and were married in 1967.  They have five children, Gabe, Tim, Rebecca, Carmen, and Ben.  All their children now retain a love for art, having grown up surrounded by the work of masters such as LeRoy Neiman, Aldo Luongo, Norman Rockwell, Salvador Dali, Fred Machetanz, Ellen Henne Goodale, Charles Gause, Rie Munoz, and Ernest Robertson.

Pat and Pam were champion dog mushers, and spent their winters feeding, training, and racing the dogs.  Sled dog racing always held a special place in their hearts, which lead to Stephan Fine Arts financial support of the Iditarod sled dog race, "The Last Great Race", for 10 straight years, as the publisher of the official Iditarod Sled Dog Race Collector's prints.

Stephan Fine Arts had been in business for only a year when, in 1978, the young artist, Charles Gause, came to the gallery with a sampling of his work under his arm. It was apparent to the Stephan's that he had a unique ability to tell a story with his brush.  There began an association that has spanned over 25 years. The first limited edition print "Pursuit" was published in 1978 and new editions have been added each year.  Currently, Charles Gause is the only publishing artist who captures the epic accounts of Captain James Cook in his "Tall Ship Series".  These images are now collected world-wide and are printed in very small editions, making them extremely sought-after. 

Rebecca is the buyer and appraiser at Stephan's.  Her husband, John, worked in a gallery on Front Street in Lahaina on the island of Maui for several years before moving to Anchorage.  The two met when he applied to work for Stephan's as an art framer.  John is also an artist, and won Mayor's Congressional Art Contest Award in Hawaii when he was 17.  John is now the framer and shipper for Stephan's, and ships Stephan's artwork world-wide.  Together, they have a son, John Gurney III (JT for short).  Becky's three sons, Sydney, Fletcher, and Winston, are now leaving their own legacy in the world of art by creating and donating a piece every year to the Alaska Chamber of Commerce's Military Appreciation Art Contest, and have helped raise over $2,500 by auctioning off their artwork each year since 2007.  Let's not forget the two cats as well who bring joy to their home, Toby and Aimes.

The gallery is located next to the front desk in the lobby of the Hotel Captain Cook.  Stephan Fine Arts is a premiere stop at Anchorage’s First Friday Art Walk.  Each show features exceptional Alaskan talent.  Rebecca is an avid supporter of public television, and volunteers her art knowledge to the KAKM Channel 7 Art Auction every February, where she illuminates viewers as to the history and value of the pieces on showcase..

John and Becky enjoy travel and meeting new talent and clients along the way.  Please stop by the gallery soon - we promise, you will not leave without being inspired and moved by the talent Stephan Fine Arts brings to Alaska's residents and visitors.  And if you are an aspiring artist, Becky has made it her life's work to help apiring artists learn more about the realities of marketing their work, helping them make a legacy of their own.